WILD WEST OF THE HEART

N I N E T E E N

Sometimes, tragedy can be beautiful.

"On what already seems to be a beautiful christmas eve, astronomers report a finding. The moon will be in conjunction with mars" The reporter said on the news as Obi capriciously walked out, placing his bags by the entrance.

It wasn't a lot of bags, just a few things he'd need lodging on the island for two days. The two days that were bound to change his life because he was about to meet his star. His role model.

The icon.

Photos and snippets hit the newspapers the moment she stepped off that plane with a bright sunset yellow dress and a hat. Her blue eyes rested behind the disguise of her huge glasses.

But the media just knew.

SENATOR'S DAUGHTER HASSAN MADU VISITS HOME TOWN.

She hated that the Nigerian media still hid her behind her father's shadow even though she was fully emancipated from the family. She found it utterly disrespectful, especially the ones that went as far as misgendering or deadnaming her.

But with a deep breath, she allowed it all sink in.

Because it was the place she was in. Some photos had even leaked of her in her suite in one of the Sheraton Hotels. And rumor had it that she had to move closer to the island where she was hosting some fundraiser christmas party. The purpose was to gather enough money for trans people both in Nigeria and Dubai to have access to healthcare without such limitations like money and all that.

It was a dream come true for not only the people but also herself, in her attempt to expand her brand. The Hassan Madu brand—

—perhaps it might be what it takes for her to finally move out of her father's shadow. Maybe then she'd have established a few things.

But then again, it was more than that. More than just a brand. It was connecting to the people, finally connecting to the people that were not like her.

Acts like these was why she was called an icon.

"What did you pack?" Mira asked from the couch. He sat beside her, shrugging his shoulders. "Just the essentials" He smirked and in walked DaSilva.

Who was even worse. He had a whole suitcase and some box. For— "Two days?" Mira yelled, not having a problem with her one filled bag. But she couldn't complain, Silva was one that wanted this and he was the one paying for the hotel.

Honestly, some change was needed. Maybe a new environment to enjoy christmas. Because by the twenty sixth, they'd come back to this.

Obi had already made peace with the fact that he was missing the school play and dance. Besides, not that Abdul was even his date. As much as he wanted it, they hadn't still spoken. And it just didn't make sense without him. He as well, needed some time to clear his head. Focus on himself—

—and free himself of the guilt from bailing on the drama club last minute, leaving them short of a wise man for the play. But there was something of the two wise men that sort of felt original.

So Bade didn't give a rat's ass. But that was after the full blown tantrum she threw for two days.

"Are you ready?" Silva asked, shuffling the car keys in his hands. There was the jingle sound as he replied Ola with a smirk.

"Got to be prepared bitch" He sneered as Obi reached for the television remote. She stretched her hand to halt him, her eyes focused on the reporter on the screen. And her mind navigating the beauty and wonders of astronomy.

There was a large swirl in the skies, cosmic blue and dark. Like some sort of dark hole. And then there was mars, as hollow and red as it was, there was life revolving around it. But that's a topic for another day. Mira however, felt this cosmic attraction to whatever was going on. The reporter popped back on with a sly smile—