To the Stars and Back

Chapter 12

Alyssa

Nine days of sitting on a rocket in space, and it feels like an eternity. I tried texting my friends like Hazel did, but it never works. It worked for Hazel one more time two days ago, but it hasn't worked since then.

I'm painting in the workout/game room. I haven't painted in years. I'm not that into painting, more sketching and writing, and I'm not very good at it. I used to enjoy it though

Dawn walks in when I'm almost done.

"Hey Lyss- wait, are you painting?" she stares at my artwork.

"Um, yeah..."

"Oh my god that's so good! I thought you gave up on painting!"

She admires my painting of the Earth.

"Ugh. You're so annoying." I say. "Isn't that supposed to be my job?"

She laughs. "No way."

I go back to our room when I finish, Dawn going to get a snack, and I lay the painting out to dry.

I sit down on my bed, leaning back until my head is on my pillow. I turn on my phone and go to the text app and my friends' group chat.

It may not have worked any other times, but I have to keep trying.

Skye

I'm at the park with my family when I get a text from the group chat with my friends.

It takes me a moment to realize who it is, and when I do, I nearly drop my phone in the pond.

Hey guys, this hasn't worked any other times, but I won't stop trying.

Then, Oh my god, did that work?

My fingers fly over the screen.

Alyssa?

It's me! She texts back.

Alyssa! You're okay! April texts.

Oh my god Lyss! Wynter says.

Hazel told me this would work but I tried so many times and it didn't! Alyssa says.

Hazel?

What? Who's Hazel? Cora is here too.

Oh- sorry, someone I met on the shuttle. She's also 16. She kept me company when I was alone.

Of course I should be happy she didn't have to be alone this whole time, but part of me is... I don't know... jealous?

Someone has gotten to see her and talk to her when we didn't get to, when we were here missing her and worrying about her.

Are you on Awe? Wynter asks, and I remember that is kind of more important.

No, Alyssa says. We ran into some sort of meteor shower and apparently we got delayed for like six days. I overheard some staff people talking about it.

    So when will you get there? I ask.

    Probably around a week or so from now.

    Oh my god. I hope you make it! Cora says. Understatement of the century. For me at least. Although, that's probably, "the US is having some slight problems".

    But what about you? You're...

    She doesn't have to finish.

    I know, I say.