The Evolution of the Stars

IV

     Physical activity and I have never really been on the best terms. I've walked the couple familiar miles to the library or to a friend's house, or even to the grocery store once in a while. I never walked more than five miles, let alone ten in less than two hours.

     "How'd you get there, then? It isn't like you had a car." I whine, trudging behind Marco.

"It's less than eleven miles. And there's a bus stop." He rolls his eyes for the millionth time, this time sending me a glare. A glare that tells me I had better stop whining or he'll leave me behind.

I mutter an apology under my breath.

     "Aster!" Macx tugs on the bottom of my t-shirt. "Aster I'm thirsty." He whines.

     I slowly shake my head at him. "We're running out of water as it is. We can get more from the next gas station we pass or something. Not now, though."

He groans, throwing his head back. "Marco! How much further?"

     Marco ignores him as he walks, keeping a few steps ahead of us.

     After a while, Macx's eyes light up as he exclaims, "Oh! I recognize it here! That's Ian's shop!" He drops my hand, running to the old building.

     Marco follows him, so I do, too. I figure I don't want to be left alone somewhere like here.

     The building itself was, at one point in time, painted a lime green, but now most of the paint has peeled and has been stained by a mixture of the sun and dust. It's trim is a grey wood, splintering out at odd angles. It's basically a double wide trailer house sitting in the middle of the hard ground. Not a single speck of vegetation anywhere near.

     As we walk up the set of stairs they creak, willing us for just a couple more pounds so they can bust in half. The door squeals in protest when Macx swings it open.

     "Ian!" Macx yells, throwing himself at a tall, slender man.

     "Macxie!" The man says back to him, picking him up by the underside of his armpits. He then holds Macx out in front of him, studying his face. "When was the last time you showered? Go on, you know where the bathroom is. Throw your clothes in the basket. Valéry will clean them up." He sets Macx down, giving him a little shove in the direction of a hallway. Then he turns to Marco.

     "Hey, Ian," Marco smiles and the man, who is far older than him.

"Hey, buddy," Ian frowns at him. "You need to take care of him, Marco. He's your responsibility now. He's your—" Ian stops talking once his eyes land on me, standing awkwardly behind Marco. "Uh, um, Marco, w-who's this?" He stutters, looking at me like I were a three headed alien.

     Marco shifts his weight, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Amusement is tucked in every crease of his voice. "This is Glowstar." I can hear his smile.

     I shoot the nastiest glare I can conjur at the back of his head before I smile at Ian. "Hi. I'm Aster." I nod at him, still smiling.

"Glowstar." Marco corrects me.

"It's Aster."

"Glowstar."

"Aster."

"Glow. Star."

"Aster."

"Guys!" Ian laughs. "That's enough. Nice to meet you, Aster. I'm Ian. And um, can I ask you a question?" He squints his eyes, scanning my body.

Glowing. I think. "Sure." I fake a laugh, trying to hide the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

     "Your skin," he takes a step closer to me, grabbing my hand. By now, Marco has turned his body to me, and is watching with a large grin plastered across his face. Ian pulls my hand closer to his face. "I-it's glowing. Who did this? Where'd you get this done? Its way beyond the technology of anyone around here—" he stops suddenly, looking into my eyes. "What did you say your name was?"

"Aster," I say carefully.

     "Short for something." He doesn't say it like a question, so I don't answer. He turns, dropping my hand and squinting his eyes shut. He snaps his fingers multiple times right next to his temple. "Asteria! Oh my God! Valéry!" He calls.

     A voice in the back if my head tells me i should run, so I turn and I run, right out of the house.