Born A Rocket || FIRST

1. As A Child

When i was a child, I would sit at my desk during night before i had to go to bed and would play with My brother Liam's Toy Rockets and Lego Ships he told me Specifically NOT to touch because it was "His Fragile Collection." I would role-play blast sounds and do dumb voice overs, and if i heard someone walking to my room i would rush to my bed and act like i was reading. Did i mention i have 9 Siblings? Yeah, Nine of them. Each of them are mature and normal, You Have Liam, Andre, Kori, Ryder, Maple, Enoise,- You know what i am not doing this. I have tons of cousins and aunts too, But i will not even try to get into that.

"Juniper!" Mama yelled from the downstairs. I dropped the lid of my laptop down and got up from my bed, Opening my door and rushing downstairs. "Yeah?" I said when i met my mothers face. She had that smug look she always had when she knew something sketchy was going on. I had a confused look and she started.

"Who was the person who kept the peanut butter out of the cabinet?" As she pointed to the kitchen to a peanut butter jar out of place.

"Dunno." I turned around and started to walk upstairs before she called my name and i threw my head back groaning walking back to her.

"Ill clean it up." and she smiled, sitting on our couch.

As i slouched over to the jar, My sister Anita Walked infront of me. I was the middle child, and Anita was 2 Years older than me. "What are you doing?" She said, blocking the way. I knew what she was doing. Finding anyway to annoy me. I smiled and gladly tried to push past her but she went the same way.

"Mom told me to move it, so i suggest you do the same." I said, trying to sound tough even though i was small and had no way of fighting her. "Okay, then get it. Twig." She said, Holding her fingers to her ears and Sticking her tongue out as she moved away to go bother someone else. After i was done with the Peanut butter jar, i went to my room. My room had a galaxy theme, My Mother always knew i loved Things with the moon and Stuff And at first she thought it was because my name was Juniper.

She Named Me Juniper because My mother herself Loved The Galaxy as a baby. I have a galaxy room poster, My bed is purple, And Many more cool fantasy type things. But, She never knew i wanted to be when i grew up. I never told anyone, It was 1952 And i was 14 years old In a Segregated World Where even the Fountains were Separate.

I was a good Straight A Student and i focused on my dreams the whole way through. Mama Would always be tired after working and doing everything for her children all by herself Because, My Dad was never around. He Went to work in the Military when i was 5 or so, And never came back home...Is the best way i can say it.

"Dinners Ready!" My mom called from downstairs after a while.

I tried to rush downstairs quicker than my siblings because When we have dinner, whoever finished quicker gets more food. If you mess around at the table and talk and not really eat, you will be too late to get any food. I was in a stamped, And was last to the table.

After dinner I went upstairs to my room and Went on my laptop a bit more.

A knocking on my door opened my ears and i said To come in.

My mother came through the door and she sat on the side of my bed with her pretty smile as she tucked me into bed. She never wanted me to think anything bad was going to happen to our family, even though she stressed a lot and was alone.

"Love you." She kissed my forehead and i repeated it back to her. She turned off my lights and closed the door and i rolled over to my side. When was i going to tell my Mama i Wanted to become The First Girl in space. Would she hate me? Say i wasn't going to make it?

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The Next Morning I woke up to a Horrible smell that made me cough loudly. I Opened my eyes to see smoke coming into my room and i immediately shot out of bed and put on my pants and shirt running to my door, opening it and running out. I heard coughing and my mother shouting downstairs for everyone to get out. Tears came to my eyes as i rushed downstairs and out of the door and my siblings ran out aswell crying and Anita was holding onto us as we hugged each other looking at our house burn.

"MAMA!" i yelled through tears dropping to my knees as she wasn't coming. The police, ambulance, and fire department came quickly as it seemed the whole neighborhood was staring in despite. Firemen ran inside out crumbling house and shouted Some Numbers and paramedics ran inside with a Stretcher As Anita and me Were screaming and crying for mercy and The Police held us all together.

"I-is she going to be okay?" The Oldest boy, Andre, Asked through a bit of tears. He stared at him and Said as he sighed, "We don't know buddy." And he Rushed to the ambulance and that's when i saw her.

Mama.

She was Coughing Hard and holding her heart as she turned her head to us in despite and i screamed No At the top of my lungs, Running towards her And The Paramedics Pushed me away. "PLEASE LET ME SEE HER! SHE CANT LEAVE US!" I screamed, but it was no help as the policemen took the boys away in a police car and Took Us 5 girls in another as i stared out the window holding Anita as she cried aswell, when we drove away.

We got to the police station and i calmed down a bit, but i was crying softly. They were telling us she was going to stay in the hospital overnight, and we had to Stay with our aunt, who Anita Told him the phone number and he called her.

A while later, she came to pick us all up and we drove to her house. She had a daughter and a Son, and now she has 5 more girls and 4 more boys.

"Your mother will be fine." she said to all of us laughing a bit. I wanted to smack her. It wasn't the right time. And she doesn't even known if she will be fine or not. I saw Anita clench her fists to her side next to me and she looked Deep at her in complete Anger.

"Well its late, you guys can sleep wherever. I layed out some pillows and blankets for you. Goodnight!" She said, walking away to her room.

"What a fucking bitch." Anita said Andre Adding on, "I want Mama back. What the hell even is this?" He said pointing at this Pillows and blanket she set up for us on the floor. It had only 5 Pillows and 3 Big blankets. I wanted to cry, this was horrible. I just wanted Mama Back. And i was going to find a way.

Anita told Me to sleep with the Little girls on the couch and Told Liam (The second Oldest) To Sleep with the little Boys on the other couch And Andre and Her would be on the floor.

"I love you all." I said and they nodded back. We went to sleep and even though it was so uncomfortable, I had to deal with it. We had to deal with it. Together.