This side of the sKy

Prologue 

Earth filled the viewport, a vortex of green and blue set against the blackness. The sun blazed beyond the planet, casting a halo that left their ship in shadow. Personnel scrambled to secure the craft like rats scurrying from light, cutting lit power strips and minimizing sound. 

“Captain, entering Earth’s atmosphere. Cloaking engaged. Hovering five hundred clicks above the surface. I’ve notified the crew of our arrival.”

“Good, Lieutenant. Hold our current position,” Captain Ixar ordered, her tone even but clipped. “Keep watch and scan all frequencies. Our location can’t be compromised. And report any anomalies immediately.”

The large X-class vessel, holding a skeleton crew, floated within a low orbit. In the command center, the ship’s cold gray plating gleamed, lit by bands that blazed from floor to ceiling and casted shadows in the corners like eavesdroppers. Two imposing consoles stood opposite the sweeping viewport. Crew members at their desks filtered data on tablets spewing information. The displays cast ominous red and green glows over their faces. Every movement in the space carried out orders in organized chaos.

Captain Ixar retreated from the panoramic windows along the front of the bridge. She glided to her chair and dropped into the seat, then snatched the data display from its holster. Her lips pressed into a thin line and her eyes narrowed in focused concentration as she read the flow of intelligence. Weary hands rubbed down her face with a heavy sigh. This mission was beneath her; irritation seethed under her skin.

What could this mudball possibly offer us? The inhabitants of this planet hadn’t even explored beyond their own moon yet, unlike her race, which had traversed many galaxies. Her ship, the Vorathex, was designed for deep-space diplomacy and high-risk reconnaissance, not fishing this archaic backwater. And for what? False hope was a dangerous thing. She knew better.

The door hissed open. A man strode in with the kind of cockiness that made her teeth ache. Only one person walked like the ship owed him tribute. She didn’t bother to glance up.

Lieutenant Xavien.

“To what do I owe this disruption?” Ixar communicated to his mind, her tone as cold as ice.

“We’ve arrived.” Xavien slapped down a data folder on her console. “I’d like to begin surface reconnaissance right away.”

Ixar furrowed her brow and massaged her temples as a headache threatened to build. “We just entered orbit. To send you down without current terrain or threat scans would be reckless.”

Only then did she look at him and notice he had already changed out of his uniform and wore a ghastly interpretation of what the surface crawlers wore: fitted blue jeans, a loose t-shirt, and shoes Ixar figured were probably made from some poor animal. Disgusting. Even his stark white hair grew longer than a soldier’s should, the top coiffed in an earthly imitation.

“I’ve studied Earth for years.” He opened the folder. “I speak five of their most prevalent languages and am intimate with their customs. I’m requesting twelve hours to scout potential choices.”

She didn’t hide her scowl. His dad may run their planet, but this was her ship, and his attitude needed to be checked. “You think I haven’t already prepared for this insignificant planet and its primitive people?”

“I’m aware that you’ve followed your orders, Captain,” Xavien replied, gaze intense, voice direct. “But your assignment is to run the experiments, not find the subjects and do reconnaissance. Command was specific for me. Subjects must be above the age of thirty-five, all racial backgrounds, both sexes. Diversity, not convenience.”

Ixar’s face tightened. The implication that she was either careless or biased was not lost on her. Nor the switch to speaking out loud, theatrics for the crew.

“You have eight hours,” she snapped, fingertips brushing the tablet full of coordinates. “Command located the region to begin. New York. You need to look for individuals with higher energy frequency levels.”

“New York. I know the parameters. Send me down.” He did not wait for dismissal, but turned and strode toward the portal chambers two decks below.

Ixar stood, watching him go, her fingers curling into a fist. “Teleport him to upstate New York,” she ordered the bridge crew, her voice low. “Dense forest. Close to a population center but… indirect.”

Perhaps if she were lucky, he’d be eaten by a large, starved beast. Command had been firm on her orders. Find a possible cure, get back before more get sick, stick to protocols. But she would do what she had to with this planet. A failure here was a failure overall.

#

Xavien’s body materialized on an unfamiliar pine-strewn trail. Sunbeams crested the trees, warming his skin in golds and yellows. As he stepped forward into the fresh air of the forest, the blue energy field withdrew, leaving him alone. Large pine trees loomed over the scene with a strong, pungent, and strange smell. Unaccustomed to spiky green leaves, he took a few moments to appreciate the sticklike appendages. Used to purples and clear iridescent foliage that shimmered throughout his home planet, he was captivated by these new blues and greens of Earth. Carefully, Xavien ran his fingers through the needles, feeling the prickle and releasing more of the fragrant scent.

The weather was colder than he was used to, the brisk breeze invigorating. He inhaled deeply, appreciating the stillness and low buzzing of nature. The world was raw and unrefined, yet something about the newness stirred his curiosity. Slowly, nature came back to life, birds singing melodies and faraway creatures’ footsteps puncturing the air.

He confidently stepped through the trees toward the distant outline of a town, steps muted on the bed of loose needles. Proving himself was vital. This was a recon mission. A test. And a distant hope for survival. Xavien savored the challenge more than he cared to admit.

Chapter 1- Ava

“Wait up, V!”

“Steph, what’s up?” Ava drew her backpack higher, glancing over her shoulder as her best friend jogged toward her. The crowded hallway filled with students, making it challenging to move through. Ava slowed her stride to let her catch up. Faint smells of some new body spray the football team was wearing that week hit her nose.

“I heard you had ‘hot sub’ in Spanish. How was that?” Steph wiggled her eyebrows. 

Ava always marveled when Steph knew the good-looking sub showed up on campus, or anywhere, really. It was her friend’s superpower. “Ugh, same old. Sure, he was hot, but more importantly, I still need to work on conjugations. They’re not my strength.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re amazing at everything else, then!” Steph winked.

They passed rows of lockers, each one plastered with glittery prom flyers: “A Night Under the Stars.” Ava tried not to look at them. She and John had planned to go. Now the thought made her stomach churn. Instead of dancing, she’d be at home with her brother and parents. Her dad would make his famous tacos, her mom would pull out the games. Ava would naturally roll her eyes, but she’d be grateful for the distraction. Grateful for something to fill the space while everyone else lived the night she was supposed to have. No one else had asked her to the dance. That part hurt more than she let herself think about. Her eyes flickered back to the poster despite herself, resentment expanding in her chest. She wanted to rip the glittery sheets off the wall, but instead she stuffed her hands into her pockets.

“What’s for lunch today?” Ava turned into the lunchroom. The high ceilings and long windows made the space bright; laughter and chatter bounced from every table. Smells from the kitchen made its way to the pair. “Mmm… nothing says fine dining like reconstituted chicken and cafeteria glue.” Ava piled some mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets onto her plate.

Steph added, “This pizza looked like it gave up on life halfway through baking.” Her disgusted face made Ava laugh.

They navigated to a quieter table near the back. Their table already had other people there. Jas and Caroline spoke in a private conversation, but Caroline looked up as they approached.

“You guys got today’s gruel as well?” Caroline’s curly brown hair bounced as she talked.

“Gruel is generous.” Jas held up a rubbery nugget. “Pretty sure this is a moon rock dipped in breadcrumbs.” He smacked the nugget on the table.

Caroline rolled her eyes. “It’s protein-adjacent. That’s good enough, right?”

“At this point, I think it’s preparing to evolve into something else entirely.” Jas poked the nugget like it might move.

Steph snorted. “Careful, Jas. Last time you insulted the lunch lady’s food, she gave you double portions.”

“That was a threat, not a gift.” Jas dramatically speared his mashed potatoes.

Ava chuckled, and everyone settled into their regular seating arrangement. Jas continued to play with his chicken nugget, leaning into Caroline whenever she spoke. His flaming red hair disappeared in the soft tangle of her brown curls.

“How were your classes?” Ava asked Steph between bites.

“Pretty good. We got a new kid. Wanna hear about him?” Steph’s tone turned conspiratorial, and her eyebrows did their jumping act.

Ava hesitated. The hurt from her break up with John still plagued her like an open wound she tried to ignore. Ava tried to steer clear of boy talk, but it seemed Steph planned to suck her in. “Let me guess, tall, dark, and handsome?” she sighed.

“Tall, yes. Dark? Not even close. But absolutely stunning.”

“Not dark, huh? Albino?” Ava laughed.

“He has super white hair. And his skin is so white it is almost blue. But his eyes… mi amor! Like deep, glowing oceans. Huge and bright. I could swim in them.” Steph fanned her face.

“Don’t let Chris hear you. He might be jealous.” Ava dug into her mashed potatoes, thankful for the distraction.

“He knows he doesn’t need to worry. It’s you we need to find a guy for.” Steph changed the subject. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“Watching X as usual. My parents are gone again. Maybe we’ll do a movie night.” Ava looked forward to spending time with her brother. Most people her age would think it was a drag to have to babysit so frequently, but Ava didn’t mind. He was all she had.

Steph nodded, watching Ava peek through the curtain of her long chestnut hair. “He’s not here today.”

“What?” Ava tried to play dumb.

“John. You were looking for him. Don’t bother.”

Caught, Ava sighed. “I wasn’t looking looking. Just making sure I didn’t have to see his smug face.” Her deep brown eyes flashed the hurt she still bore.

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Steph stood, tossing her trash. “Call me later. We can talk more about New Guy… or not.” Steph put her hands up in surrender to Ava’s grimace.

“Yeah. Sure.”

Steph gazed into her eyes. “John’s a jerk. But there are still plenty of fish in this high school sea.” After a small hug, she left.

As Steph disappeared, Caroline leaned across the table. “She’s not wrong, you know. You’re, like, the most amazing person I’ve ever met. If he couldn’t see that, it’s his loss.”

Ava gave her a small smile. “Thanks. I just wish it didn’t still hurt.” Ava thought she had moved on many times in the last couple months. She hated feeling broken, especially by a boy. John’s attention made her feel wanted. He told her she was beautiful and special. But once his honesty was obliterated, were all those platitudes just lies? She knew her self-worth should have overridden his stupidity. He had gotten into her head, and the dark hole of sadness she fell into seemed unscalable. Ava sighed into her potatoes. Loneliness had been a companion for as long as she could remember.

“Heartbreak sucks,” Jas chimed in. “But you’ll survive. And in the meantime, you’ve got us and cafeteria pizza to distract you.”

“Wow, comforting and gross. Classic Jas,” Caroline teased.

“I do my best.” He winked.

The final bell rang. Ava stuffed her science notes into her bag and beelined to her locker, trying to avoid other kids who blocked the hallway. She grabbed her extra books and threw them in her bag, slamming the locker shut. Then she froze.

Down the hallway, John stood with a new girl clinging to his arm. They laughed at something, and Ava’s heart gave a sharp twist. She turned, willing the sting in her chest to disappear. The exit sign burned at the end of the corridor, a red beacon promising the escape she desperately needed. 

Crisp spring air slammed into her as she headed out to the parking lot, easily finding her slightly dented Honda Accord. The “practical” gift from her parents held memories, both good and bad. Betty White was nothing if not reliable, and she loved playing off the color to name her. She was grateful to have wheels at all. Ava received special permission to drive since it was her job to pick up her brother from school. Her parents’ erratic work schedules often kept them away. Most juniors still had to take the bus, so she counted herself lucky. After pulling out of her usual spot, she cruised down the road to the nearby elementary school, blasting her favorite song.

Adjusting the volume, Ava neared the pickup area. She scanned the kids, looking for Alex. Spotting him, she noticed how he stood by himself with a worried look.

“X! Over here!” she shouted as her younger brother crossed the courtyard to the car, relief replacing the worry.

“Hey, V!” He climbed into the front seat.

“How was your day?” Ava reached over and messed up his light brown hair. His red t-shirt was getting short, and his jeans seemed tighter. With their parents gone, again, she made a mental note to grab some new clothes. Even if she told her mom, the responsibility would probably fall on Ava’s shoulders.

Ava turned onto Main Street, where rows of historic brick buildings stood proudly, their faded reds, soft blues, and muted greens announced their age. The quiet town felt like something from a storybook fairytale. Tree-lined streets, flower-box-decorated windows, and a stone church rising in the distance made the fable complete. Church spires stretched reverently toward the sky.

Signs for local boutiques and takeout shops dotted the storefronts. The stores were in different stages of needing repair. The corners peeled or hung just a bit to the side. Ava’s attention turned to Alex, sensing his mood shift. “What’s wrong, X?”

“Nothing.” He stared out the window, shrugging.

She arched an eyebrow. “Out with it, or no ice cream.”

He huffed. “Fine. Lame threat though, you like to spoil me when Mom and Dad are gone.” He sighed. “Those two boys are still picking on me at school,” he sputtered, hurt flickering across his face.

Ava gripped the wheel harder. “I’m going to kill them. I will turn this car around right now and give them the biggest wedgie they’ve ever seen!” Ava started to slow the car.

Alex knew she’d never hurt anyone, and her silliness made him smile, relieving some of the tension he held. She always stood up for him, shielding him from the kids who couldn’t seem to leave him alone. He didn’t say much, but Ava had seen bruises on other kids, ones they had gotten from broken homes. She made sure Alex never knew pain like that. When he let out a small sigh, Ava hoped it meant he felt better.

“You shouldn’t have to deal with bullies. You’re smart and kind. That should be what matters.”

“It’s okay, V. Mom says people hurt other people because they’re hurting. I don’t want to add to their pain.” Alex looked out the window and grinned at the spring flowers that had started to bloom.

Ava softened. She reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a better person than I am.”

“But you can still glare at them menacingly if we see them.”

“Deal.” They sealed it with a pinky promise. Ava turned up the radio, blasting “Life Is a Highway,” a song their dad played on repeat. They rolled the windows down and sang their hearts out the whole way home.

Ava pulled up to their two-story white colonial with faded black shutters and a squeaky porch swing. A wreath hung on the forest green door. Ava’s mom loved the little garden in the backyard where she grew flowers and vegetables. Ava parked in the gravel driveway next to her dad’s unused motorcycle.

“Wash your hands and do your homework!” Ava grabbed her backpack from the back seat.

“It’s Friday! No homework!” Alex grinned, leaping up the wooden steps.

Inside, the house smelled like cinnamon and something floral from a diffuser Ava had finally figured out how to refill. Blankets, board games, and school projects lay scattered throughout the living room. Ava set her bag next to the locked basement door. Her mom promised it was for storage and old lab gear. Ava never pushed it; it always smelled like bleach and metal. Ava followed a backpack in the hall, socks by the stairs, and a sweater halfway to the kitchen until she found Alex. The path looked like a tornado had spun through, leaving only Alex-shaped debris behind.

She cooked pasta, and they ate at the old wooden table while watching the sunset out the back windows, discussing their days. “So no homework for you this weekend?” Ava asked between bites. The pasta slipped through her fork and splattered red sauce on the table.

“Nope! You?”

“I have to come up with a topic for history class. It’s supposed to be about how institutions affect people’s lives.” She reached for the napkins, cleaned the mess, and wiped a smear off Alex’s face.

Alex scrunched his nose. “Sounds boring.”

“It kind of is. But I thought maybe something like the space race or surveillance laws would be cool.” Ava had always loved space and often found herself staring at the stars at night.

Alex perked up. “You should do that one story Dad always talks about. About how the government faked the moon landing.” He giggled conspiratorially.

Ava laughed. “He only says that to mess with people.” She pushed Alex on the shoulder.

“Yeah, but he always ends it the same way: ‘Never trust the government.’”

They said it in unison, stern like their dad, then cracked up. Ava rinsed the last plate, the sound of the running water faded as she switched off the faucet. 

“Ready for a movie?” She dried her hands and tucked the dish into the cabinet.

“Yep!” Alex was already running to the family room and jumping on the worn leather sofa. Ava joined him, pulling the crocheted blanket their mom made over their laps.

As Ava settled in, her fingers brushed one of the ridged corners of the blanket, worn from years of use. She remembered her mom curled up on the couch one winter night, crochet hook in hand, muttering about dropped stitches and yarn tension. Ava had sat beside her, watching the loops form and grow, fascinated by how something so comforting could come from a single string and a bit of patience.

“What movie are we watching?” Ava asked, back in the present.

“Something scary!” Alex wiggled next to her.

“You just want to sleep on my floor again. How about a cartoon?” Many nights, Alex had found his way to her room after watching a scary movie. Sometimes, he woke her; other times, she’d find him in the morning curled up on the floor next to her bed.

“Booooring.”

“Fine. KPop Demon Hunters?”

Alex considered. “No way. You screech at the top of your lungs. My ears can’t take it. How about How to Train Your Dragon?”

“It’s settled then.” Ava cued up the movie, and they watched until Alex fell asleep on her shoulder. She carried him upstairs and placed him in his bed. Then she pulled his Star Wars blanket tight around his shoulders. She left his lightsaber lamp glowing faintly.

Ava tiptoed to her room and closed the door behind her. Leaning on the door, she took in her room; posters of her favorite bands covered the ceiling, and Christmas lights twinkled behind her white wooden bed frame. Her beige comforter hung slightly off the bed, revealing pastel pink sheets underneath. Pictures covered her wall with friends smiling back.

Ugh, I completely forgot to text Steph.

She promised herself she would tomorrow. For now, she just wanted to brush her teeth and snuggle into her bed, which she called Marshmallow. It was the most comfortable place in the house and the one large item she was able to bring in the move. She spent nights jumping on it with friends during slumber parties and other nights, more recently, crying when a boy broke her heart. She almost considered Marshmallow a part of her family.

Nestled beneath the covers, Ava stared at the twinkling lights reflected on her ceiling. One flickered faintly, then steadied again. Odd.

Chapter 2- Ava

Ava jolted awake, startled and confused. Where am I?

It was freezing, and muffled screams echoed around her. Her skin prickled as if thousands of tiny needles were scraping across it. She couldn’t move. Her head was locked into place, and her limbs were restrained with tight bars. The metal beneath her was frigid, and the air had a faint antiseptic scent of alcohol and bleach. A single bright light shone onto her body; the rest of the room was cloaked in shadows. Panic surged through her. Her heart slammed against her rib cage.

What is going on? Am I dreaming? Her breathing grew shallow, and fear fogged her thoughts. Breathe… just breathe… She inhaled deeply, her eyes focused on one point in front of her. Slowly, her mind began to process her surroundings. Okay. What is this place? Why am I strapped down? It’s so cold. Am I wearing my pajamas?

Her thoughts flashed back to earlier that night. She had cuddled on the couch with Alex, wrapped in their favorite blanket. Flickering light from the TV had cast shadows across the living room as they watched a movie. Halfway through the movie, he’d fallen asleep with his head resting on her shoulder. She remembered tucking him in and his lightsaber lamp still shining as she walked away. It had been a peaceful night. This didn’t make sense.

A muffled noise pulled her from her thoughts. She searched for the sound. “Hello?” she managed to squeak. Her small voice echoed off the metal walls, sounding foreign.

“Mmmhhmm!! Aaaaaarrraaa!” The stifled wail came from her right.

“Alex! Is that you?” Shock rolled through her body, sending a spike of adrenaline through her frightened system.

“Mmmmhhhhmmm!”

“It’s okay! It’s going to be okay.” Ava tried to sound reassuring, but her heart pounded, her body trembling. Straining her neck, she managed to turn her head enough to glimpse her brother. Her blood ran cold. He, too, was strapped down, still in his pajamas, with a clamp over his mouth. A harsh light shone over him as well. Ava could hardly breathe. Numbness spread through her.

Swiveling her head the other direction, Ava stared into the blackness, trying to understand where they were. Low pulsing hums vibrated around them, but otherwise, silence pressed in. Coldness seeped into her bones, and goose bumps covered her flesh.

“Alex, do you know how we got here?”

“Nnn-nnn.”

Suddenly, a door whooshed open somewhere in the darkness. A figure entered, human-looking, but not quite. Large dark eyes contrasted with the pallid, bluish tint of her skin. She wore a simple white shirt and long pants. The seam ran down the left side of her shirt, almost like a lab coat or uniform. From farther away, Ava had categorized her as human, but up close, something was off. As she glided forward in eerie silence, her fingers flew over a screen filled with symbols Ava couldn’t read. With a slender finger, she pressed a glowing button on the side of the table Ava lay on. A blue pulse of energy shot through the bands holding Ava down, flooding her with adrenaline and terror.

“You’re awake. Finally. I realize you don’t know where you are. That is irrelevant. You can stop screaming. You’ll be fine when this is over,” the female said, but not with her mouth. The words echoed inside Ava’s mind.

Ava thought, What the… how can she speak without talking? Definitely NOT human.

The being spoke again. “Please try to stay calm. We will perform a few experiments and send you back to your planet. You will not remember anything, especially the pain.” Her voice inside Ava’s head was sharp, metallic, like static on a bad speaker. The being’s face was beautiful in an alien, unnatural way, expressionless and efficient.

She pushed a few more buttons on the tablet and then spoke into the silence.

“Subject 1: Female, approximately 17 Earth years. Elevated heart rate. Emotional distress evident. Subject 2: Male, approximately 8 Earth years. Undetected matching bonding markers. Begin synchronous testing.”

The female moved closer to the table to look at Ava’s eyes. She pushed Ava’s hair to the side and scanned her face with the tablet. After checking the restraint on Ava’s forehead, she moved down to the abdomen and leg restraints. Evidently impressed with the contraption, she crossed to Alex’s table, checking his restraints as well.

An alarm blared from the screen beside the woman, red lights pulsing. Ava jerked at the sound.

“Anomalous response? That’s odd,” the female murmured.

She tapped rapidly on her screen. Information scrolled on the tablet. A compartment slid open beside Ava. Mechanical arms unfolded. Several tools emerged, long silver needles, scalpel blades that glinted under the light, and a pair of forceps that clicked as they flexed. The instruments hovered above her like curious insects. Ava’s eyes widened, and just when she thought she’d found fears limit, terror blew past it.

Buzzing intensified around her. Similar arms moved toward Alex’s table.

“No! No! Please don’t!” Ava writhed, her voice raw, but the restraints held firm.

A needle slid into her wrist. A jagged, electric burn raced up her arm.

Another stabbed her abdomen. Burning sensations flared through her body. Pain exploded behind her eyes. She dry-heaved, unable to scream loud enough to match the agony. Blood dripped to the floor with a soft patter.

Through blurry tears, she noticed another being enter the room: a male, similar in appearance to the female, tall, white-haired, and pale. His blue turquoise eyes widened as he took in the scene. He looked at the monitors on the wall, watching as Ava and Alex’s bodies writhed and convulsed under the restraints.

“Ixar.” A whisper escaped his mouth. Storming over to the female, he hissed harshly in a language Ava couldn’t understand. He pointed at the screen. For what seemed like a century, the two aliens stared at each other, not uttering words, but it was evident they still were speaking. Ava wanted to understand the interaction but couldn’t focus on anything except the pain screaming throughout her whole body.

The female pointed at the man’s chest, then toward the door, signaling him to leave. He resisted, his furious gaze darting to Ava, the instruments, and the data. Anger simmered on his face, though she couldn’t tell if it was for her or something else.

Then, the female grabbed his arm and dragged him into the shadows. The door swished shut behind them.

Ava didn’t have time to wonder more about the exchange. A new jolt of electricity pulsed down her spine. Her body seized as she tried to scream, but no sound escaped. Tears poured down her cheeks as she heard Alex’s muffled whimpers. The electric shocks continued with short pulses that built in strength. Darkness crept around the edges of her vision. The room wobbled, tilting sideways. Her fingertips tingled, then went numb. Somewhere in the electric buzz, another alarm went off. The needle twisted again, adding a new burning sensation to the torture.

Alex screamed from the other side of the room. The instruments dragged along his body, pulling tissue and pushing fluids Ava couldn’t name. The pain on his face matched her own. A screen lit up on her left, and she could make out the image of an internal scan of a body. It glowed white on a blue background. Several places, including the stomach, neck, wrist, and thigh, blinked red. Ava tried to focus, but the electric shock pushed her head forward against the restraint, and she tried not to bite her tongue.

Just before everything went black, she felt a sharp, icy sensation flood her veins. Her mind reeled as swirls of color danced before her eyes. Her last clear thought was a silent prayer for Alex.

“You’re going to be okay, X. Yourrrr… gooing…”

And then she was gone.

Chapter 3- Ava

Beeep! Beeep! Beeep!!

Ava slowly opened her eyes. She was in Marshmallow, soft and familiar. Her muscles ached, and a strange soreness clung to her body. She couldn’t recall doing anything that would explain it. Her last workout had been days ago. After stretching out her limbs, she reached over to silence the alarm and shuffled to the bathroom.

Leaning over the white porcelain sink, she grabbed her toothbrush and paste. The bright, pastel-green, and white-striped walls felt at odds with her solemn mood. Thoughts of bad dreams escaped her memory when she woke. In the mirror, she noticed her long brown hair hung limp, and her normally golden skin reflected pale, making the few freckles across her nose stick out. She didn’t feel sick, but her mood took on a physical appearance. As she brushed her teeth, her gaze snagged on two red dots along her left wrist. She blinked, unsure if she was imagining them. She examined them closer, trying to piece together where they might have come from.

“Huh,” she muttered. “Mosquito season starting early?”

She headed to Alex’s room. She gave a light tap on his door, peeking in. His body sprawled across the bed, one leg hanging off the side and an arm draped over his face. As she crept in closer, she noticed something odd. His left wrist bore two small red marks, just like hers. Maybe there were spiders in the house.

Frowning, Ava shook his shoulder, her voice light and sing-songy. “Alex, Alex, wake up.”

“Mmm?” He peeled his eyes slowly open.

“Come on, sleepyhead. Time for breakfast.”

“Okay, okay,” he mumbled, stretching with a wide yawn. His Star Wars pajamas matched his bedsheets.

“Pancakes? Waffles? Cereal? What sounds good?” Ava ticked the options on her fingers.

“Cereal and cartoons!” Alex leaped from the bed, thrilled at the chance to watch TV during breakfast, a treat reserved for when their parents were away.

“Perfect!” Ava pointed to his wrist, concern written on her face. “Oh, do you know what happened to your wrist?”

“Huh? No idea. Maybe a spider? Come on, Pokémon is waiting!”

Ava nodded, still uncertain, but allowed Alex to tug her toward the living room. The mystery faded to the back of her mind as cereal was poured and cartoons filled the screen. With Cap’n Crunch halfway to her mouth, Ava’s phone buzzed on the table.

Ah! I forgot to text Steph! Ava smacked her forehead and pushed accept on the call. “Hey, Steph! How’s it going?”

“Why didn’t you text me last night? I waited forever,” Steph whined. “I figured you were with X, but I thought I’d hear from you when he went to bed.”

“I’m so sorry. The movie ran long, and I crashed. I just woke up, like, twenty minutes ago.” Ava swirled her cereal in the bowl, watching the milk turn purple from the Crunch Berries.

“Fine.” Steph’s voice returned to its usual perkiness, making Ava laugh at her dramatics. “What are you doing today?”

Ava checked her calendar. “Nothing. You?”

“Going to the outlets with Chris!” Steph slipped back to a whine. “You have to come. We haven’t hung out in forever.”

“Well, I have X with me. He can come, right?” Ava glanced at Alex, who watched Dash and Pikachu run across the screen like maniacs.

“Absolutely. Meet us there at one!” Steph sounded as excited as a caffeine-fueled squirrel.

“Okay. See you then.” Smiling, Ava hung up and turned to Alex. She chewed the inside of her cheek, crafting a plan to entice Alex to join them. A sneaky idea slid into her mind. “X, how about we check out the new game store at the old outlet mall? The one you’d talked about a few weeks ago.” Ava’s almost-too-cheerful tone had Alex on edge.

“What! Really?” His eyes narrowed. “Wait… why do you want to go?”

“Well, Steph and her boyfriend are going and invited us.” Ava stirred her spoon in the bowl, giving him puppy dog eyes, her lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout.

“Steph is going to be there?” Alex asked shyly. He’d had a crush on Steph since he was six.

Ava felt him swaying in agreement. “Yep!”

“Fine.” He gave in. “But I don’t want to be rushed at the game store, and you have to buy me a new Switch game.”

“Deal. Let’s finish this episode and get ready.” Ava smiled wide, refocusing on the show.

Once her sneakers were laced, Ava tossed Alex his jacket, and the two headed out the door. Betty White cruised down the road, the windows rolled down, passing fields of blooming flowers and sprouting alfalfa. Turning up the music, they sang along to a new Benson Boone song. Ava drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. The parking lot emerged as they exited the main road. The building looked like a relic in a world of online shopping with stores closed and letters missing from signs. Ava parked and watched as Alex practically leapt from the car.

Walking in, Ava tried to ignore the glittering prom dresses in the store windows. Steph and Chris waited near the entrance to the main area. Chris’s arm hung around Steph’s shoulder. He towered over her, with wavy brown hair and an athletic build that screamed, “I work out, a lot.” Though he excelled at every sport, he never bragged about it. Steph was the cheerleader with a bubbly laugh and had the type of effortless charm that made people like her. Her skin looked radiant in her spring dress and pinned blond curls. She twirled her hair, listening to Chris, a smile spread across her face.

“Hey, guys.” Ava walked up to the couple while holding Alex’s hand. She appreciated how well Chris complemented Steph, like a story already written. He would be leaving in the fall, and Steph overcompensated whenever the topic was discussed, her voice full of false enthusiasm.

“V! You’re here. Hey, Alex!” Steph swept in giving Ava a hug. “X, have you grown again? You are so tall now!” She ruffled his hair while Alex blushed. 

Chris nodded to each of them. His carefree attitude was contagious and disarming. Alex gave him a fist bump.

“We’re going to the game store!” Alex tugged at Ava’s sleeve eyes shining with excitement. Ava’s lip curled into a smile as she watched his little form bounce up and down.

The store, We Are Games, buzzed with energy. Multiple televisions displayed different games, with several participants competing against one another. Teenage body odor clung to the store. Alex ran in and stopped at each location. He watched the competitors playing on the large TVs, and searched the game racks for sales, looking like he’d died and gone to heaven. The sight made Ava’s heart full.

After ten minutes of browsing, Ava had had enough of the noise. She asked Steph to keep an eye on Alex and stepped outside to look at the store’s front display. Beyond her reflection, Mario Brothers plushies lined the window. A shadow darkened the glass as someone appeared, stopping close beside her. He was tall, with startling white hair and skin so pale it seemed to glow a bluish tint. His eyes were striking: an incredible shade of blue with emerald green, like the water just off the coast of Greece.

This must be the guy Steph was talking about.

He wore a black shirt and jeans, his features almost too perfectly put together. Ava found herself staring at his reflection in the window. His arms were toned, and she noticed sculpted ab muscles through his shirt. Ava’s cheeks flushed as she imagined what it might feel like to touch his stomach. Her mind raced as her gaze drifted up to his face, then it stopped altogether.

Have I seen him before? Why does he look familiar?

He had smirked, but then something changed. His smirk vanished, eyes widening. Before she could say anything, he turned toward her.

“You’re Ava, right?” He smiled, eyes focusing on her reddened cheeks.

“Uh… yeah. Have we met before?” Ava didn’t know how he knew her name. And yet, his eyes were captivating, and she struggled to pull her gaze away.

“I’m friends with Chris. He invited me and mentioned he was meeting you and Steph.” His smile stayed fixed in place. “I’m Xavien.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said, a little breathless. She was trying to place his eyes, but the memory she searched for kept coming up empty. Xavien’s expression turned curious. They stood awkwardly for a moment, then Ava added, “Did you just move here?”

He tilted his head. “Yeah, not sure I fit in yet.” He rocked back on his heels and slipped his hands into his pockets.

“I haven’t been here that long. Give it a bit, and you’ll be fine.” Ava was still trying to place him, but couldn’t grab the memory, like trying to hold sand in a windstorm.

He nodded toward the food court. “Want to join me?”

Ava blinked. She chewed the inside of her cheek, contemplating if she should leave Alex with Steph and go with this unknown guy. Finally, deciding he would be safe, she agreed, “Sure. My friends are inside with my brother, so I’ve got a few minutes.” Ava waved at Steph from the window, pointing to the food. Her friend nodded, giving her a thumbs up and a wink. Ava shook her head as they left, a grin pulling at her lips. 

They grabbed drinks from Chick-fil-A, and made their way to the food court seating area. Saturday shoppers packed the tables, and kids ran around the perimeter in a game of tag. They found a table, Xavien sitting across from Ava, their knees touching under the table.

Who is this boy? Why does he feel so familiar? It wasn’t just his face; there was something more profound, a strange pull in her chest she couldn’t explain. Like the echo of a half-remembered dream or the flicker of déjà vu that vanished the moment she tried to catch it.

Xavien cleared his throat, interrupting Ava’s thoughts. “So tell me about yourself.” He stared into her eyes.

“Well, there isn’t too much to tell. I’ve lived here for about three years. We used to live in Virginia. I like music, movies, reading, and hanging out with my brother.”

“That’s cool.” He took a sip from his drink. “Favorite song?”

“‘Stargazing,’ Myles Smith. You?”

“Interesting. I like almost anything from the Beatles.”

“Are you secretly fifty? Nothing newer than that?” Ava laughed, a genuine laugh she hadn’t had in a while.

Xavien chuckled, too, revealing adorable dimples. Ava wished she could reach out and touch them; however, as soon as she thought that, Xavien lowered his head and stopped smiling.

Ava’s smile faded. “What brought you to the great city of Penn Yan, New York?”

“My… guardians dropped me off. My father is in the military. It’s boring.” He said it nonchalantly, but Ava wondered if there was more to it.

“Okay. The Beatles, military, got it. Tell me something random about you.” 

“Um, I can name every constellation in the northern hemisphere,” Xavien said softly. 

“Seriously? That’s either super nerdy or really romantic.” Ava took a drink of her soda and held her hands in her lap, left foot tapping.

“Depends on who I’m pointing them out to,” Xavien said, his voice even softer now.

 Before she could respond, the others showed up at the table, carrying trays of food, balancing sodas and sandwiches. Chris plopped into the seat next to Xavien while Steph sat beside Ava. Alex scooted next to Chris.

“There you are! I thought we lost you.” Steph eyed Ava with a grin.

“We bumped into each other,” Ava said quickly. “Figured we’d grab a table.” She fidgeted with the sleeves of her sweater. Butterflies rummaged around her stomach. With her nerves running amok, Ava tried to rein in her anxiety. 

“Perfect, it’s nuts in here. Glad you made it, Xavien.” Chris started in on his burger.

“So, Xavien.” Steph took a bite of her fries. “What do you think of the town so far?”

“Quiet,” he replied after thinking for a moment. “But not in a bad way.”

“Just wait till school on Monday,” Chris added. “Things get louder real fast.”

“Looking forward to it.” Xavien’s stare slid back to Ava. His eyes seemed to keep coming back to her.

Ava cleared her throat, scrambling for a distraction. “Chris, are you excited to start at MIT in the fall?” She stole a fry out of Alex’s box.

“Oh, V! Don’t bring that up! I’m going to miss him so much!” Steph pulled on Chris’s arm, pecking him on the cheek. “He is going to be the best chemical engineer ever.”

“Terrified. Excited. Mostly excited. Although, Xavien here helped me with some of my physics homework and totally saved me.” Chris tilted his drink in Xavien’s direction and winked at Ava. “Ava, you might finally have an academic challenger.”

“I’m not worried. You should just be glad you’re graduating this year, so you don’t have to compete with me.” She laughed.

“What do you want to do after high school, Ava?” Xavien asked, finishing his drink.

Ava shrugged. “I want to go to med school. I’d really like to help people.”

Steph gave her a side hug, “That’s my super smart best friend! What about you, Xavien?”

Sadness flickered across his face. “I’ll probably join the military. It’s what my dad wants at least.”

Ava wondered how she would feel if her parents expected her to follow in their footsteps? Secrecy was hard to follow, though. Bitterness cramped her stomach.

“It’s either the military or running away to join the circus. The jury’s still out.” Xavien flashed a crooked smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Laughing, they chatted through lunch, the conversation flowing. Ava participated distractedly, her gaze drifting toward Xavien. There was a strange ease between them. It didn’t make sense. Confused, she felt drawn to him. Not in a shallow way, but like their paths were supposed to cross. Unsure how or why, but sitting near him felt natural, even comforting.

Ava noticed Xavien stiffen. He scanned the perimeter like he was trying to find something, or someone. She searched the area, trying to figure out what made him nervous.

He stood, though no one else seemed surprised. “Thanks for hanging out. I need to run. See you Monday.” He waved quickly and hustled to the mall exit.

Everyone mumbled their goodbyes. Ava watched him go.

“We are still here. Earth to Ava.” Steph chuckled and pinched Ava’s side. “Wow, I didn’t know you were back on with guys. I think we should help you put your eyes back in their sockets.” Chris and Alex joined her laughter.

“Ha. Ha. He is nice. That’s all.” But her smile said he was more than nice, and Ava knew it. The pink in her cheeks did nothing to help her lie.

#

At seven sharp, the secure video line rang. Ava and Alex’s parents, Evelyn and James Madison, appeared on the feed, beaming in white lab coats. Evelyn’s long blond hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. A few days of stubble coated James’s cheeks; salt and pepper mixed in his short dark hair gave him a distinguished look. Ava noticed their genuine excitement to catch up and tried to match their energy.

“V! Alex!” Evelyn waved from her chair on the video. Wrinkles gathered in the corner of her eyes, and dark shadows clung underneath thanks to the long nights she spent at work.

“How’s it going?” Ava asked. She was beside Alex on the comfy family room couch, sharing a blanket.

“Pretty good.” James sipped something from a nearby mug. Behind their parents, several people in lab coats swarmed like bees in a hive. The commotion caught the kid’s attention.

“Wow, that’s a lot of people. What’s going on?” Alex smooshed his face up close to the camera.

“Back up, buddy.” James chuckled. “You know we can’t discuss it, but it has been a good day. Everything okay there? Anything new… or unusual?”

A flicker of concern crossed James’s face. Ava heard his voice constrict a trace amount. Normally, her parents didn’t ask questions about anything other than school and their general well-being. Ava’s stomach clenched with mild concern. What has him so worried?

“Not really. We watched a movie last night and went to the outlets today.” Ava shrugged.

“I got new shirts! I’m growing!” Alex flashed the gap where his front tooth used to be, then showed off his new Minecraft t-shirt.

“That’s great, kiddo!” Evelyn grinned fondly.

“We’ll be back Tuesday,” James shifted in his chair, “but we’ll have to leave again on Thursday.”

Both Ava and Alex groaned.

“So soon? Prom is Friday. You won’t be here?” Ava’s voice held a whine. She’d hoped they’d help distract her from the sadness of missing it.

“V, we… didn’t think you were going. I’m so sorry.” Her dad’s face fell. He glanced at Evelyn for some support, but she looked just as heartbroken.

“I’m not. I just… thought you’d be around,” Ava replied quietly. “It’s fine. I’ll hang with Alex.” Frustration crept into her voice. Ava juggled her activity schedule, school schedule, Alex’s schedule, laundry, homework for both of them, and grocery shopping. She could see the list in her head growing with responsibilities, and now with her parents being gone yet another weekend, it seemed like too much to bear. Her patience didn’t just run thin; it collapsed entirely. Anger took hold. She was tired of feeling neglected and alone.

Alex, sensing her mood shift, moved closer. Their parents exchanged a guilty and uneasy look. Her eyes brimmed with tears of resentment.

“Whatever. I gotta go. See you Tuesday.” Ava ended the call with a quick jab to the screen. She stood, letting the blanket fall to the ground, and stomped her way upstairs to her bedroom. She’d left Alex on the couch and knew it wasn’t fair to him. But right now, she couldn’t risk taking out her frustration on the wrong person.

She slammed the door, threw herself on Marshmallow, and screamed into her pillow, feeling forgotten. Alone.

Once the tears stopped and the screaming faded, she rolled over and stared at the light pink walls. The white trim on the window and baseboards enveloped the room in a comforting warmth. The pictures covering the walls reminded her of Swiss cheese. Holes punctured the walls where images of John and her used to hang. Her eyes trailed the line of blank spaces dipping to her nightstand beneath. A necklace caught the moonlight streaming through the window, the one John had given her at Christmas.

She rolled onto her back, reflecting on their relationship.

They had returned from a snowball fight, laughing and noses pink from the cold. Conversations of summer and the upcoming prom filled her with excitement. Ava threw on a dry pair of joggers and her favorite sweater. John went to change in the bathroom, leaving his phone on the counter. When it buzzed, curiosity prodded Ava to the screen. Four new messages blinked green.

John returned, squeezed Ava around the waist, and whispered compliments in her hair. 

“Who’s Sarah?” Ava lifted the screen to face him.

John froze.

Her stomach dropped, confusion fogging her brain. A moment ago, they’d thrown snowballs, laughed, stolen kisses, and rolled in the snow. The room shifted; Ava felt like she was on a tilt table.

“No one.” John turned away.

“It seems pretty important. She texted several times.” Ava reached for him but John stepped back, guilt written on his face. “Why won’t you tell me?” Her voice broke.

Finally, he cracked. Lies and omissions tumbled from his mouth, each one a slap in the face. Then came the final blow; he’d been with another girl. Not once. A lot.

Her heart had hit the floor. Anger. Embarrassment. Hurt. Bitterness.

He shifted to excuses, then blamed her for not being enough. Pretty enough, sexy enough, smart enough. The vile insults spewed from his mouth, ending with a slammed door and silence.

Words never escaped her mouth.

Her confidence lay bare on the floor along with the shattered remains of their relationship. Throughout their year together, his language had been encouraging, charming, utterly convincing.

She never saw it coming.

Vicious lies awaited at school the next day. His hurtful words replayed many times in the months that followed.

No prom date was yet another hit to her self-esteem. Her parents’ absence left Ava another occasion to pick up her broken pieces, alone.

 Ava took some deep breaths and reached for her favorite stuffed Tigger, which helped ease some of the hurt. She knew his words shouldn’t cut so deep, but it was every girl’s fear of not being… enough. A tear leaked from her eye. She rose, shuffling to the window. Stars sparkled at her, their familiar tug pulling her in and calming her breath. The vastness full of possibilities gave her hope.

Hope is the ember that glows even in our darkest hours, a quiet defiance that reminds us the night will not last forever.