*Please remember that this is a work of fiction. Any events in the story do not purposely reflect any events and/or people living or dead, past or present. All rights reserved.*
CHAPTER 1
TELESCOPE
My first telescope was a little plastic tube with a clear plastic circle at the end. From Dollar General. But, it still sparked a huge curiosity with the stars and what lies beyond them. I got my first telescope in 2319.
In 5th grade history class, we have to learn about all the political drama that happened in, like, 2020-2025. As well as some weird disease called Covid-19. It just sounds like a cold... That tons of people died from... Yah.
One of the only interesting things that we had to learn about was NASA. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Apparently, it's not around anymore and all humans hate it because in, like, 2149 NASA found aliens and invited them to come live on earth because their planet got destroyed. Then, they started a huge war that lasted, like, 16 years. But still, I just wish it were still around.
I love all things space. Even though most companies banned anything space related, I still got a few things. Apparently, my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great,great, great... Grandma was this famous astronaut called Sally Ride. So I guess you could say it's in my blood.
CHAPTER 2
DRAMA, DRAMA, AND MORE DRAMA
"Pandora McCoy! Where have you been? My birthday party started 10 minutes ago! You said you'd be on time! Is THIS what you call on time?!?!" My 'BFF' screeched at me, as I walked through the sliding glass doors into the snazzy country club where Piper's birthday party was being held.
"I'm really sorry, Piper. The robotics club went over time and I tried to get here as early as I could, but traffic was really heavy. I'm SO sorry. I'll make it up to you. I promise. But I would never deliberately miss my besties birthday party."
Piper scoffed, and fanned herself with the birthday card I had handed her.
"Well...I guess its alright... Selfie?" She asked, shoving her iPhone 315 in my face.
Full disclosure: I'm not a girly girl, like Piper. I like sweatpants and plain hairdos. I don't go to the mall. I shop on Amazon 89.0, and honestly, I hate social media. I'd rather be reading on my kindle 2000. Or looking at the stars and clouds. And I'm kinda sick of playing along with Piper's little games.
She only ever says stuff like "OMG! Pandora! Your hair is such a MESS! Do you ever wash it?" Or "What is WITH your outfit today? It seriously looks like you shop at the junkyard!"
"Oh...alright, I guess..." I answered. She snapped a photo, then wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Ugh. Bad lighting. Oh, wait, no. That's just your face." She sneered. Her and her other friends erupted in laughter.
Hey, Piper. I'm sorry but I don't feel very good. I'm gonna go home..." I jerked my thumb towards the entrance and walked out.
Piper chased after me and caught me by my sleeve.
Hey! What is your problem, Pandora? You used to be so much fun! What happened to you?" She asked, tugging on my favorite hoodie. I couldn't take it anymore. Piper was the worst friend ever. I wished she would just leave me alone.
"People change, Piper. Like me. And you. But this time, I didn't change, you did. You're so rude now. I can't talk to you without you making a stupid remark about my appearance or personality. And if you can't stop, maybe THIS should stop." I said, yanking my sleeve out of her manicured hand.
"What?" She asked. I might have been a little to harsh, now that I think about it.
"This, Piper. Our friendship. US."
"yo-you m-mean..." She trailed off and looked down.
"Oh my gosh, do I need to spell it out for you? I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE!!" I shouted at her.
"WHAT? Why not? I'm the MOST popular girl in school! EVERYBODY wants to be my friend!!" She shouted back.
" Obviously not everyone. The world doesn't revolve around you!" - She rolled her eyes at me.- " WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE NICE FOR ONCE?!?!" I shouted at her. You might have noticed that I have anger issues.
And, I'm sorry if I ever hurt your feelings but...wait for it... GET OVER IT!
"UGH! You wanna know a secret, Pandora Louisa McCoy? I NEVER wanted to be your friend! My mom made me, because she thought you looked nice. I don't know how, with your SunPuff colored curls and all those ugly poop stains on your face." She shrieked at me.
Oh. No. She. Did. NOT. She called my hair SUNPUFF COLORED?!?! And my freckles POOP STAINS?!?! I was SO mad.
Before I knew it, I was on top of her, yanking her hair and slapping her face. She shrieked and screamed so loud, I thought my ears were going to bleed. In less than a minute, a whole crowd of people from our grade were crowding around us and recording with their phones. I was in big trouble.
