Elements of Earth: The Element Trials

Chapter 13b, 2020, Estrellita: Reality Shatters Dreams

I took the stairs slowly this time. My potential future expanded in front of me in a way I'd only ever dreamed of. I always intended to confront father after the peace summit. But I've done so before. Each time he would tell me that 'the world is too dangerous, maybe things will calm down after the next peace summit' or treaty or aid mission. My father is a good man, but he sees only a world filled with violence and hate. It's a place he doesn't want to risk his daughter to, adopted or not.

I open the balcony door with unconscious action, taking my usual position to watch the sunset. "But if he doesn't let me out until world peace then he's never letting me out. History repeats itself and if I have to wait for people to stop hurting each other..." just past the sunset I spot the early risers. A few stars that peak out before the others, just before our own star settles in for the night.

It's a bit silly. As a little girl father gave me my new name and invited me to 'the family of the stars.' I never knew what that meant. But sometimes I catch myself talking to the early risers, Capella and the Procyon twins, like distant cousins. "What should I do if he says no?" As they're light years away didn't wait for them to hold up their end of the conversation. "I mean I can't stay in the mountain forever. I want to explore, see the world. Maybe someday I'll even visit you." That was extremely unlikely, and I knew it. Even if I became an astronaut, I'd never live long enough to see even the closest of stars. Unless I actually am immortal. The smallest of sounds interrupts the silence. It was the creaking of stretched cloth. As I slowly turned my head a fainter sound, that of someone shifting in their sleep followed it. Just to the right of my balcony was a climber's hammock tent, secured to the rock wall.

As quietly as I could I made my way back inside and shut the door. "How was school?"

"Ahh!" I jumped away from the voice in alarm.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I said while panting. "You just surprised me."

One of Vivian's eyebrows raised in suspicion. "What's going on?"

"I just, I... I didn't expect someone to be out there."

Vivian's expression turned horrified as she rushed over to the screen depicting an empty balcony. "I told you to check the monitor!"

"I did, but they weren't on the balcony. They pitched a climbers tent on the rock wall beside it." Seeing her apprehension I rushed to add, "They didn't see me. I think whoever it was is asleep."

"Whoever it was? I think who it was is obvious. It must be the obsessive boy that gave you flowers. I don't know what you told him-"

"I didn't tell him anything! We've never met or spoken. If that was him he didn't even open his tent flap." Vivian showed uncertainty. She wants to believe me, but can't.

"I'm sorry Estrellita." She reached past me and mimed touching the door panel. It made a sad sound and turned red.

"No." It was the only thing I could say as I realize what she'd done.

"The balcony is sealed. You cannot go out there again. Not until that boy stops looking for you."

"But it's not my fault!" I cried. "You're not being fair!"

"No, I'm not. Sadly, the world isn't fair."

Standing there, crying in my pajamas, I wiped the tears and snot on my sleeve. I walked through Vivian's image and muttered back through my teeth. "I guess I wouldn't know would I."

Dinner was already ready, but I didn't feel like eating. I went straight to my room. Waiting for me was an email from Ms. Vivian detailing the requirements of the new assignment. Each student is required to pair up with another student and interview each other. I hurriedly check the sign-up sheet. It listed pictures of each student without their names. All the people I would have picked have big red Xs over their picture. In fact, the only students left are Yu and I. Did Ms. Vivian set this up? The email went out while I was in detention so I wouldn't have been able to partner with Sonya or Marcoh. I would have tried to ignore the only choice left to me, but instead received a message notification. Under a picture of Yu was a message from her. I refreshed the sign-up sheet to find she had picked me.

'Hey." A message popped up with a picture of Yu.

"Hi." I replied.

"What time do you want to meet up tomorrow?"

"Is ten ok?"

"That's only two hours before class."

"When do you want to meet?"

"When do you have breakfast?"

"Seven."

"I'll see you then."

Great. Today went so amazing and now Yu is going to ambush my breakfast. She doesn't even eat. So much to do and I only have tonight to myself. I didn't have a chance to check out the robot or anything else in the personal section of my father's warehouse. I also have put off the final cold sleep memory for too long. If only there was some way I can do both. "I can always call a friend."