Shining Stars

I look up at the stars, and they look down at me. I feel the grass sway in the warm night wind as my dad sits close to me pointing to the sky. He has always been so interested in stars; sometimes he would bring me to a hillside on a clear night and he would show me how to connect them to make shapes. When I was younger, he would tell me facts about the stars I wouldn’t understand but I just like being with him. Ever since Mom died, Dad’s been quiet, I always want to be near him to let him know that he still has family left. 

One morning when I got up for school my dad had a surprise for me. I went downstairs and there was a box with thin blue wrapping paper silently sitting on the table. I was quite shocked to hear that it was for me since my eleventh birthday was still three months away. I walk up to the table and sit down. My eyes are wide open as I stare at the box sitting in front of me. Still shocked I peel away the wrapping paper reveling a small brown box, it seemed it had been opened already. My finger traces the open crack in the box, I then slowly open the sides to reveal a small constellation necklace sitting in the center. I look up at my dad with a big smile on my face.

“You got me one, you actually got me one!” I say as I hold the necklace close to my chest. 

“Of course, I got you one Nova. You’ve been begging me to get you one for weeks, and right when I scraped up enough money to get you one, I couldn’t wait until your birthday to show you.”

I jump down from the chair and give him a big hug and ask him to help me put it on before I go. He does and I stare at it for a few more seconds before slipping on my shoes and heading out the door. 

On my way to school I look up at the clouds making shapes out of them then I try to run away from my shadow to pass the time. When I arrive, I slouch down in my chair and feel my necklace. For some strange reason it gave me comfort. 

On my way home I jump over the cracks in the sidewalk thinking of what we could have for dinner. If my dad would let me choose, I would pick ice cream. When I walked into my house a scent of roasted beef filled my nose. I drop my backpack and instantly run over and sit down at the table. My plate gets set down in front of me, and I start eating it like some sort of wild animal. When I’m done, I put my plate in the sink and rush upstairs. With my backpack hanging off my left shoulder, I arrive in my room and close the door behind me. I set my backpack down against my desk and run over to my widow, my nose presses against the glass as I stare out into space. What a beautiful night, I hold my necklace in my hand and once again the feeling of comfort washes over me. 

Eight years later I sit at my desk reading a boring book about Christopher Columbus. I don’t even understand why people like history class. But I was close to finishing my standard education then I would be able to move on to the real college business, astronomy. You get to learn about the moon, planets, the sun, but best of all stars! My dream has always been able to be close to the stars, not just by seeing them but by actually being in space with them. 

I finally finish my boring book and shove it into my backpack with barely any room to spare. After struggling to zip up my bag I walk over to my bed and lie down just to rest my eyes, but sleep creeped up on me. 

I wake up to an alarm blaring in my ear. Next time don’t fall asleep with your phone next to your face. I jump out of bed and run down the stairs to find my dad waiting for me at the table. Today was a big day for me because tomorrow I’ll be starting Astronomy. There was a piece of toast waiting for me on the table. I smile and gladly take the toast. While munching on my breakfast I race across my house to find all my school supplies. Once I had found everything, I jam my feet into my shoes and run out the door. 

Today seemed to go by very slowly. When I got home, I was exhausted so I jumped into bed to read but sleep struck again. I wake up to not as loud as an alarm, but still in a rush. I don’t bother eating anything or even saying hi to my dad on my way out. I sprint to my college campus and struggle to find my new class.

Once I arrive, I was the last one there. I slouch down in my chair sweating and breathing heavily. Within two to three weeks of Astronomy I could see why my older friends quit this class, it was hard. By now my grades were slowly but surely going down; this class was probably the most stressful thing I’ve ever been through. I can barely memorize the names of comets and with planets in the mix! 

When I get home, I slouch in my desk chair and rest my head on my desk. I then fall asleep hoping for the best tomorrow. The next day my neck aches with every move, maybe I should stick to the bed. 

Weeks pass with my grade in Astronomy getting lower and lower. Should I just quit? About three months later the big exam was coming up. Now it was just two days away and I still barely understand, and I’m scared I won’t pass. 

In a snap the final exams are getting passed out. I feel as though I might puke, but at least that would get me out of the exam. Half of the questions I guessed or didn’t even know how to answer. When I get home, I run up to my room to lie down knowing that I’m not going to pass.

When the letter came, I was right, I failed. My dad tried to calm me down but instead I ran upstairs and slammed my bedroom door. I then grabbed my shoe and threw it across the room, it flew under my bed and hit something. When I went to see what it was my eyes widened it was a small brown box and when I opened it my necklace laid inside. 

When I felt it, I felt calm and safe, the same feeling as I felt before. A year later I went back to restart Astronomy and it turns out I was smarter than I thought, because when I got my new letter back, I passed! I was so happy that I started to cry. I grabbed my dad and hugged him tightly. I then ran up to my room and sat in my desk chair with disbelief. Then I start spinning around in circles and laugh. 

About two years later I feel rumbling in my chest, my eyes are shut tightly, I feel lighter every second, a door opens and I step out. I take a deep breath and open my eyes; my dream had come true. I stand at the tip of the moon, shining stars surrounding me. The end.