The Brightest Stars

Skyler

I sit on a stool with a cello in between my legs for the first time since I've gotten back to America. I still have it in me after three years. I effortlessly play Suite No. 1 in G Major for solo cello. I let the vibrations fill my chest and lungs at every pull of a string like it used to. At every breath, the song fills peace in this room at the facility.

They've made a lot of upgrades here. I almost felt lost when I arrived towards the back lobby once I got off my jet with the rest of the refugees. Among them were Josh and his siblings.

I remember getting off that jet and let it all sink in. I didn't think I would come back alive. In fact, I didn't think I'd miss this place so much. But tears fell out of my eyes when I realized that I just completed my father's mission.

Josh looked back at me as Prim gave me a confused look and then went off with her sister to admire the facility. I know John wouldn't stay back after breaking his heart, so I knew only Josh would come up to me and give me a warm hug. This was a sentimental moment for the both of us.

Now, I sit here with this cello I found in the music department they've made. I found out that as more refugees came in from all over the world, some decided to make this their new home. So Shaw ordered to make this facility into a small city underneath the ground.

There is a section for education, music department, technology, medicine, and many more departments you can train in. There's even a section where they keep animals. Those that are studying to be vets and into farm work spend time there.

I look up to make sure that the glassed door is closed and it is, but that doesn't make me stop playing. The only boy that has made my heart soar stands at the doorframe with a quiet smile. His brown hair is bit longer which gives him a rugged style now. He looks a bit older with a stubble bread on, but his eyes shine just the same as when we gave each other our last kiss. He wears a different uniform on and his expression shows all the sadness and pain he's been through in the past few years.

I put the cello to the side. I haven't seen my siblings at all. I haven't seen any of my old friends. I haven't seen my mother either ever since I found out that my uncle Steve had left with her. They're all lost except for this person. This one loved person....

He gives me a small smile and I stand up to just stare at him quietly. Our minds work on what to say next. We've both been through a lot over the years. We have both changed with all this pain. We feel as if we barely know each other. I know I barely recognize myself after all those war scars on my body, but I still take a step towards this boy with curiosity.

"Hello," he says in a quiet low voice.

"Hello," I respond back quietly. I can't help but give him a small smile and blush from his tender look.

"I'm sorry. I just happened to have heard you as I was passing by and may I say that you play beautifully."

I quietly smile at what he's doing. This is the first conversation we had on the day we met. A glisten of the memories we've had together run through his blue eyes as I step closer.

"Thank you," I quietly say. "I've played since I was five...."

He chuckles and takes out a hand for me to shake. "I'm Ky. Who may you be?"

I put a strand of hair behind my ear as I take his hard hand. A sign of all the journeys he's been through. Every cut on his hand showing every single cut that his heart carries. I know I'm one of them because I betrayed him. But as he studies every aspect of my soft face, I can see that he has betrayed me as well.

But just like I said.... some stars separate, but they end up coming back to each other only to make a newer constellation. A better constellation.

"I'm Cassie. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ky."

With this, he smiles widely at my new name. I can see that he likes it. I had to change my name for the mission, and I guess I stuck with it. I can see he kept his new name as well as his pilot uniform carries the badge with Ky on it.

I return his small smile and I know my eyes are shining brightly. We set aside all we've been through in the past few years. The doubts of our missing families. Dangers and fears for our lives. That doesn't matter now as we close the distance and let our lips meet.

At first, it almost feels like when we kissed for the first time. With nerves and hesitation, but then it goes deeper and fills our hearts with the peace we have been searching for all these years.

"Forgive me," he says to me as we slightly pull apart. "I've--"

"It doesn't matter," I whisper to him as I put my hands around his neck. "What matters now is we've survived and nothing will ever separate us again."

"I promise," he says to me. "I promise." His hands wrap around my waist and pulls me in again.

And just like that, our missions stay behind us as we realize how strength becomes a part of us when we're together. It's always have.

Everything we've done doesn't matter anymore. The only thing that matters now is the touch our lips and our soaring hearts.

I promise that I will be the star that will shine brighter than anyone among the every sky he flies into....

We smile at each other as we pull away and he gently takes my hand. Strong and tight; showing that he won't leave anymore. That he will always stay by my side. So I squeeze back lovingly and walk across the facility so he can meet the Mockingjay.

I look back and smile at the cello that I've left behind. The sound of Suite No. 1 in G Major stays in my ears as I smile back at Ky and walk with confidence to whatever comes in front of us.