My love from the star

Ch. 5 Catalyst

When I was young, my grandfather used to tell me a story that the sky was so close to the earth and there were only two people could touch it, they were the first man and woman. He said that the first woman was so vain and very lazy to work. She would pout whenever the first man would ask her to do something, like to cook, clean the house or grind the rice with a little pestles and mortars. Since it was so much work for her grinding the rice she poured all the rice for the day into a huge mortar and took up a very large pestle to grind it with. The first woman was oblivious that the pestle touched the sky when it hit the mortar because she only knew that having the sky so low only made her task more difficult. So she pounder harder on the rice, higher the sky went up until one enormous stroke that sent the sky flying up and never to come so close to the earth.I remembered, every time I had a question regarding to his story about sky, stars or universe. He never answer me but told me to see it for myself instead. No wonder why my father was very passionate about Greek mythology because of the strong influenced of my grandfather. Also, I believe that my grandfather was the catalyst why I'm overly fascinated about stars. "It is so beautiful here." A slightly shivering voice spoke next to me. How bad of me, to almost drown with the beauty of masterpiece of nature and forgot that Asteria is with me tonight. "How did you find this place?" I couldn't help but look at her as my eyes drink all of her perfection. Asteria is busy watching the stars, I saw her slight frown and the corner of her lips twitch. I swallow the laugh that trying to escape out of my mouth. Awe. Such a cute human being. Well. I guess, she was trying to find some stars or constellation. "This is my hide out since grade school." I replied as i looked up in the sky. "I came here when I don't feel like going to school or did something stupid.”I saw a smile on Asteria. "Sounds interesting."I tilted my head to the side and stared at her with a devilishly smile on my face. "Oh really?" The strong wind blow her hair as she gracefully tucked them to the side making me sigh for some odd reason. "Seriously though I came here for stargazing, to watch the stars or at least find some constellation. most of all to relax, away from the city, away from the stress that school brought to my life, away from annoying people especially my sister.? Asteria laughed wholeheartedly making my heart skipped a beat by the sound of it. I wouldn't mind listening to her beautiful laugh, all days and nights. "Tell me something about yourself Hera." I scratched my chin while thinking what is the right words to say. "Well. " I paused for a second "I love motorbike.." And I smiled so big by mentioning it. "I love the adrenaline rush of it. I love the pressure. I love the competition." My smile turned into a sad line by remembering that I couldn't ride my bike anymore. "Too bad though i can't do that anymore.""Why? What happened?" She asked concerned. I looked down. "I got involved in a accident so my parents won't let me use a motorbike again." Asteria nodded her head in understanding. "It's for your own safety Hera because we only live once, we can't turn back the time if something happen to us."I didn't said anything to argue because I know she was right. "How about you? Tell me about your self..." She smiled and hugged her knees. "I'm very awkward person, I rather be alone and read favorite books." It was short but no doubt it was really her. I've known her a short period of time but believe it or not, I felt something about Asteria that I couldn't point my finger on. We didn't say anything and watch the stars. "Did you know how many stars in the sky?" "No one knows how many stars exist, but a clear, dark night earth's sky reveals about 3,000 stars to the naked eye." I replied, feeling proud that I was totally know about it. Asteria nodded her head slowly again "Our universe likely contains more than 100 billion galaxies, and each of those galaxies may have more than 100 billion stars." Asteria slowly turned her head on me. "I didn't know that you are an interesting person since tonight." It mad me smile, her being frank make it more easier for us to know each other, no more sugar coating. "Because I heard so much about you since freshmen, and it wasn't a good thing in all honesty, they said you are a bad ass, and cause a lot of trouble."Wow. It sounded like she already summarized my whole life. It made me feel uneasy. Should I be glad because Asteria knew me since then, or should I feel ashamed the way she described me?I just chuckle and slowly lie down. It's a good thing I bought a blanket to prevent the cold from the ground seeping up and watch the heavens unfold before me. "I wouldn't be surprised if you already know im lesbian." "Mm yes." She whispered lowly and i couldn't even hear it. "But I don't care." I was quiet, totally listening to her. "Being gay is okay, lesbian is okay because we can't really measure the intelligence and worth of a person according to their s****l orientation. Beside Hera..." It made me looked at her. "I think you are a good person, it just people usually misunderstood your personality."I felt like she hit the vulnerable spot inside me, she touched something I've been hiding for a years. I swallowed my whole tongue and doesn't want to talk. I know she feels it too and respect my silence. So we stay at the suburbs, let the cold wind blew against us and silently enjoying the beautiful scenery unfold before us. Actually I never care if someone doesn't like me because of being lesbian, i wasn't born to please everyone but I was born to be true and live my life the way I want to. But why her opinion really matter to me? Seriously, what's happening to me? How was I going to deal with this? I woke this morning with the biggest smile on my face and everything seems so fine. I was eating breakfast with my family and being nice to them especially to my sister who was really trying hard to ruin my beautiful morning. At the back of my head I know they might wondering why I'm acting like this, smiling so big like a psychopath because im always grumpy. "You look stupid." Said Eos who is sitting next to me. I just gave her a sweet fake smile to annoy her more but she rolled her eyes at me instead. I won't allow her to ruin my good mood. Keep it cool Hera, I told myself. "Are you okay Hera? Are you sick?" My dad asked concern but more curious. I looked up to him through my eyelashes and stop chewing the food inside my mouth. "I'm not sick dad. I'm perfectly fine." My father shrugged his shoulder and continued reading the newspaper. "I was only asking " Defending himself. "How was the date last night though? You didn't do anything stupid right?" "Very unlucky girl." Eos whispered with a shake of her head. But i totally ignored it. I silently put my knife and fork down the table. "Why would i do that? And it wasn't a date. More like watching a star gazing with a friend." His face lit up and nodded his head eagerly. "I just don't do things you will regret after." He brought the coffee in his mouth. "I know David Hale and he really loves his one and only daughter." "I know that." I sighed. "He is nice and all." I noticed the time on my phone. "Anyway, i have to go.." "See dad. Hera is sick." Eos mumbled to father. "She never goes to school so early."Mother appeared from the kitchen. "Let your sister." I gave my sister a victorious smile. "Her new found friend is good influence so i wouldn't mind at all." "Hopefully." Eos chuckled as she stood up as well. "We have to go mom, dad." I put my earphones on as my way to ignore sister while we are in the car. With my eyes closed, i could see the beautiful face of Asteria behind my lids. Oh gosh, what is happening to me? I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder and my sister mentioned her hand to me to get out of her car. I just rolled my eyes at her and opened the door. Once that I get out of the car, I roamed my eyes around the campus, searching for a certain person. But the hallways are empty and very quite. If you are not a fan of horror. It will scare the hell out of you. But then I saw her. Yes. I saw Asteria. She is walking to the other side with her head down and busy typing on her cellphone. It's funny to feel conscious and nervous around her but then I shook it off out of my body and put a smile on my face. When we are few steps away.."Aste....." I nearly had an heart attack when I felt a hand gripped so hard on my wrist and harshly pulled me inside the classroom. I was too shock to react. The b*tch pinned my against the wall and when I saw who it was. I swear. I want to punch her. "What the f*ck Mia!" I spat at her and shoved her away out of my way. "You scared me!" But it seems like she wasn't afraid of my outburst and embraced me from behind. "What are you doing Mia?" I tried to removed her arms around me but she was too strong. Perks of being an athlete. "Get off me!" "Hera, please." Mia groaned and tightened her arms even more. "Please don't make this hard for me, I don't want to live without you. I'm sorry please. Come back to me."I slowly removed her arms around me and turned around to faced Mia. I see the same person that I fell in love with, those eyes, nose and her lips. But then I know that deep inside she was a completely different person. I stepped back away from her. "Mia....." But before I could finished my words she slammed her lips on me. I stopped breathing and holds on her arms as i pushed her away from me. "F*ck Mia!" I said in between a frustrated sigh. She hardly pushed me against the table and it hurts a little. I feel her tongue against my lips, trying to get inside my mouth. I don't know but I feel so disgusted though we used to kiss, more than kiss before. But now. It's all different. "Mia.." I grunted. "B-back off!"And the door swung opened, it made me wished to disappear like a bubble when I saw Asteria standing with totally no expression on her face. Mia and I both didn't move. "Oh, I'm sorry.." She said awkwardly and slowly closed the damn door."Stupid." Mia whispered and turned her head to me. "So..." She smirked and trails her finger on my neck down my chest. But I shoved her and walked hastily away from Mia. "Hera where are you going?" "Oh early." Jen greeted me in the hallway. Totally oblivious what had happened. "Are you okay? You look plastered..." I breath out slowly trying to calm down my nerves. "That b***h pulled me inside the classroom to harassed me." My eyes are trying to find where Asteria is. Jen frowned hard. "b***h? Who?" "Mia..." We entered inside the classroom and sat down. "I swear Jen. I wanna kill her" Jen shrugged her shoulder and before she could reply Mia arrived and angrily throw her bag on her chair. I pretend that I didn't see her, or acknowledge her presence because I don't want to make a scene so that my teacher has a reason to send me to the principal office. It is a good thing that the bell rang and our teacher arrived. It gives me enough time to think what to say to Asteria. Heck. We are only friends but why I feel so guilty? "Do you want to eat? Are you hungry?" Jen asked once we got out of the class. "Not really.." I replied as we started to marching down the hallway. Jen nodded her head. " Oh. There's a soccer game today." She said but I focused on own thoughts. "Asteria is playing. Wow." That made me look to the open field, I recognized most of the players but Asteria stands out from the rest. "Look at her.." I swallowed hard as my sweat slowly trailed down my neck. "Yes she is so beautiful." I said without really realizing it. As if on cue Jen looked at me with her eyes wide open. "Oh. I mean. The..." "Did I heard you right? Like loud and clear.""Well, she is beautiful." I cleared my throat. "Right?" Jen laughed and shake her head in disbelief. "Hera, there's nothing wrong to admire someone especially like Asteria. She is the perfect girl for you." I stared hard on Jen. "Are you kidding me? She is... very smart and responsible person, I'm nothing compare to her. Totally zero. Nothing." "So you are saying that somehow there's a chance that you might like her?" I deep frowned at her, when I was about to argue. Something caught my attention. It was like a movie scene, Asteria slowly fell on the ground and didn't move. My heart dropped and without any second thought I run to her. I can't explain the fear i was feeling as i pushed people that blocking my way. "Asteria.." I cried out of her name as i slouched next to her. "Hey, wake up!" But she remained unconscious. "Please call the ambulance.