The roses sway beneath my feet, as I move closer and closer to a shadow. I can see the one thing that I long for the most, my father. He looks peaceful as ever, sitting on a tree stump, staring at the night sky. "Hello my Starr, it's been sometime.". He motions for me to sit next to him. "D-dad I thought y-you-.". I choke out, tears rolling down my face. He hugs me, and I gladly hug back, sobbing into his chest, "I may be gone in the world, but never in your heart.". I pull back from the hug, and he walks away. "Where are y-you going?". He looks at me and smiles, "Home.".
I jolt up from sleep, and look at my self made alarm clock. It senses how I am awake,"Good morning Starr, it is 4:22am, the high for today is 48 degrees fahrenheit. You have 3 reminders. You have a quiz, test, and exam.", I yawn, and decide to wake up for the day.
I stretch and work on my robots, "Al, set an alarm for 6:30 am.".
"Yes starr.". I sigh and continue working, alarm unfortunately goes off, alerting me to get ready for school.
After the basics, I head to school. Finn runs up to me, slinging an arm around my shoulder,"Sup smarty pants!", I sigh and hug him back. He heads to our friends, as I follow secretly smiling.
"Watch this Starr!". He walks next to a person, knocking them over apologizing. He smirks as he heads back over to us, wallet in hand.
"Dude why?". Amelia asks, pretending to be mad at him, while he sat in her lap playfully. Amelia would probably blush, if not for her dark skin. She threw her hands around his neck, and kissed him on the cheek.
He chuckled,"You know you love meeeeee.". He made sure to over exaggerate the e sound while she groaned. She'd never admit it, but she was madly in love with him and his way to light up a room just by walking into it.
I giggle and sit next to Jane,"Why are they so weird?". I question while leaning on her. She shrugs, and hugs me tightly, as I blush a bit. Jane smirks, and pretends like nothing happened.
'Screw her!' I think to myself, looking down at my sweaty hands. The subject changes fortunately, as I pay attention. Or at least try too, if not for my racing mind. The bell rings, as Finn and I head to the same class.
"I noticed that you were spacing out, everything okay?". He's always been a great observer, even though everyone thinks he's just some dumb kid.
"Oh, I keep having the same dream over and over, about" I take a shaky breath,"my dad.". I avoid his penetrating gaze, and keep walking.
"Crap, I shouldn't have brought it up.". He quickly replies, as I brush it off, telling him it's not his fault. As we step into class, the teacher greets us. I nod and sit down taking notes.
I slowly start to dissociate, staring at a wall as the teacher blabbers on. What is a formula to fix my broken robot? Maybe-
"Starr, what is the answer to the question on the board.".
The question was, 2x+7=8.
"X is equal to one half.". I stated precisely and immediately.
He huffs, obviously expecting a way to embarrass me. I nod, way above this instruction.
"With all due respect sir, would it be alright if i worked on my independent studies?"
"Very well.". Mr.Brochas sighs,"Only if you maintain the average of 95 and above"
I nodded, my grade for this class was at a 100.
"Fine. If you don't mind, I will quietly be fixing my robot". I pulled it out as the class continued to focus on the teacher, who was quite baffled at the moment. Out of all of my teachers he was the most unencouraging teacher. My mind was elsewhere as I solved the problem in my AI software as I smile happily. I decide it's time to work on my other project, a car that runs on oxygen that uses so little it actually gives more air to the environment surrounding it. As I start the sketch, the bell rings. I start packing up my bag, as the teacher asks me to stay after class. A groan echoes through my brain, hoping to make this as quick as possible.
"Finn, could you wait for me in the cafeteria?" I question as he nods, that's our code for make sure the others okay and wait outside.
"How long?" He replies, yawning.
"Five minutes" I shoot back as he nods, leaving.
"Yes, sir?" I question safely, prepared to have to fight. I've heard about girls being asked to stay after class who get raped. And honestly, I wouldn't be surprised given the teacher and how I'd probably embarrassed him today.
"Starr you're my favorite student if I'm being honest" He starts as I tense up,"You're very bright and ahead which is dangerous as a girl. Please, don't get hurt because of this. You know that being a woman and at your smarts is seen as...dangerous to men. There's nothing wrong with a smart young lady, but please be careful is all i ask."I am beyond shocked how that went.
"But never stop being who you are Starr. Be a role model to young girls who are hopeless. You're going to change the world, just like your father.". At the mention of my late father I shudder, and manage a simple nod not trusting my voice
"I'll try my best.". I respond coolly, fighting back a growing panic.
"I'm sorry that I have to act rude during class.".Mr.Brochas apologizes.
"It's fully okay. I understand.". I shoot back, not missing a beat.
He hesitates before speaking,"You are free to leave. Have a nice day"
I nod and turn around taking my leave.
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Finn doesn't mention the incident as he cuddles up next to me in the cafeteria.
"How am I going to ask her out? There's no way that Amelia even has an ounce of interest.".
"I see how she looks at you like 'he might be a dumbass but he's my dumbass and if anyone hurts him, I'll pummel them to the ground'". He perks up immediately.
"Really starr?". Though Finn would never admit it, he was extremely insecure despite being so seemingly carefree.
"Of course, why would I lie to you?". I give him a kiss on the cheek as he smiles brightly. Everyone thinks we're dating, but I'm not even into guys.
"Finn, are you remembering to take your binder off nightly?" He nods as I play with his hair,"Good" I mutter, trying to keep my ego.
He gives my hand three squeezes, which is code for I love you. I give three more squeezes back as he goes to annoy Amelia by sitting on her lap.
I chuckle and lay my head on Jane's shoulder, noticing her presence.
"He's hopelessly in love.". I sigh, a smile plastered over my face.
"Yea he is" She shoots back, playing with my hair as my face heats up. Same sex marriage has always been allowed, but there are a few people who don't like it. It's scary because the tyrant of a leader we currently have is trying to ban it. The scary thing is, he's winning.
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"Sire, there's an update on Glenn Nebula's Kid.".
"Go on" I beckon, resting my face on my hand.
"She apparently wants a class 5 job, and she's bright enough to get it.".
I had been keeping tabs on the promising young woman, because she posed as a threat. And I will not lose to someone who's inferior.
"Initiate protocol 3". I command
"Yes, sir!" The soldier says and leaves as I grin. When someone poses as a threat, they need to be eliminated before they can attain victory. And I don't intend on losing.
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As I head to soccer practice, Finn walks up to me.
"Are we still running tomorrow morning?" He questions, a routine we have is to run every morning for three to four miles. We didn't this morning because Finn had some 'things' to do. He doesn't think we're suspicious but we all know that he deals.
I yawn,"Yeah as long as you stay the night so we can cuddle" I say seriously, swallowing my pride. He gives me a hug.
"Alrighty, I'll be there at 5". And with that we part our separate ways. If anything were to happen to him, I don't know what I'd do.
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The reason why I love sports so much is because it's all muscle memory and it allows me to relax for a few moments. I also enjoy things I'm good at. But the reason that keeps me going is those late nights with dad watching a soccer game, as we cheer.
"I want to be like that one day dad!"
"You can be anything Starr, don't let anyone tell you different.".
And those words push me to do better every single day.