The health check-up is scheduled at 9 am, on 21st July 3012. Please come to the main hall within the time scheduled. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdlDcwY9ek
“Health check-up?” copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZYRMLQbkD
They sat on the same old table in the club. As the Thomas and the teens from San Bosa united together, they became closer and the group got bigger. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRA47rQYbd
“Probably, they’ll train us,” Wade revealed his opinion. “To be a super soldier.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89qtMC0KLf
Alexis believed that it was not an opinion but also a hope because that sounded great.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ff461PXca
“You watch too many movies,” Oslo demurred.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy1cC9Et7Q
“But I think he sounds reasonable,” Noel supported Wade’s theory which was no surprise. It sounded more positive. “I prefer this.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfZ7JMKKwv
Another hopeful person.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCLeGSgwPs
“If it is, why do they leave us with many questions? Why don’t they tell us directly?” Alexis was still skeptical. “I don’t feel right. They cover something…bad. If we have to be trained like that, why do they keep silence? And look around. We should be trained if you’re right.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr1IEERi7Y
Most people did not buy her thought. Not surprise again because it sounded worse.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Od7VXUFHq
“And what do you think they’re gonna do?” asked Tessa.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH3XVKPbgF
Alexis shook her head. “I don’t really know.” But it’s not good.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW7FFLjw3r
“You don’t know but Wade has his reason. You two, don’t be too serious! Please! Let it be.” Alexis and Oslo exchanged their eyes. Even though she and Tessa chatted a lot, the oldest sister of Thomas always took side with Wade. They shared many similar thoughts and philosophy about life. Sometimes, she saw they shared romantic moment as well but they could not be a thing…for the reason was Alexis. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡucgIkbGeRo
“Yeah, previously, you agree with me and now you take her side,” Wade claimed with disappointment.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡE35I00sQcI
The boy with freckles smiled tiredly, “You know what? No sun, no sky, no star, I understand why Alexis is so depressed. We need natural air, not from the air condition.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQFCwloQRr
“Depressed?” Alexis repeated his word. “I just don’t have the mood.” She felt her brows knotted tightly. No need to talk to them anymore, to avoid the attack, she decided to go.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlDy4XKKbB
“She’s always like this, upset, and leave.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QFdyFe1wq
“I heard, Oslo!”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2gqEML3DC
Alexis went to the water machine. She consumed too much alcohol like hell for a week; therefore, she needed a kind of detox.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUY8s26cNh
“Water?” Wade followed. “You’re really a doctor’s daughter.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV8t9H9nJG
“What do you want?” asked she. His smile revealed all his white teeth. The bruises on his arms disappeared, so did the scars and bruises on her body. Thanked to Ben the Charming for giving the walkthrough to the magic elixir.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtI4UnRFqu
“I come to hear your answer.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUpg3Sj957
“Huh?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU2AochxA0
“Don’t you remember what I asked you yesterday?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡdouVtojk4J
Alexis pretended that it just popped up in her head. I thought you’re drunk. “Ah, yes…” He asked her to go steady with him. Wade was waiting eagerly. “Wade…I”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmEfDH7XQd
“…It was a few years ago. We were in June’s mansion. You were drunk because June pranked on you and Jesse scolded and made her cried. And you roared your laughter at them. You were crazy but from that day I can’t stop thinking about you.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i77Svja2T
Alexis could not hide her smile. It sounds weird but nice to hear. “That’s sweet to hear, Wade…” His smile faded away, knowing what she was going to reject him. “Listen. You’re very nice to me and I feel really thankful. But…I’m sorry.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgiFcL4v68
“Why don’t we try?” He was disappointed, clearly.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVvTa9Ai6r
“Because I don’t feel that way…I’m sorry, really.” She stared at his eyes to confirm her answer and hoped he respected that.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaJCiC7BMa
But she was wrong.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXrODEzHaF
“I should’ve told you before Dave. You know? He knows wholeheartedly that I like you and what had he done? And I still befriend with him. Retarded I am. I should’ve not done it. You might give me a chance and I wouldn’t have to get the girls I don’t really like. I didn’t have to watch you and Dave together and see you guys broke up. I wouldn’t let you down and cheat on your best friend like he did.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpBliMuT5B
“Wade…not again. Please.” Her voice lowered, tired of his teasing.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAM4d4GlGt
“And if I get a new girl, don’t cry.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcqX03CALM
“I love to see you happy…with the girl who is right for you.” He kept a long silence and the uneasiness stirred up the atmosphere. Alexis gradually touched his arms but he moved away, keeping a distance. Then, he showed his back.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBbRXuErnJ
Her eyes followed him. Later, Wade pretended as though nothing happened and enjoyed the party as he did every day. In the next hour, he got a new girl, the beautiful blonde and a few years older than him, whom Alexis and Oslo saw her frequently crying alone in many places.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HkPMyTsUz
“Is it very complicated or is it very simplistic?” Oslo murmured, eyed observing the blond friend. “I saw that girl with that man this afternoon.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqMmoMq0mb
“Ben, right?” Tessa joined their conservation. Minnie turned her head immediately. Only Noel did not stay here. Tessa said he was bored of clubbing but they all knew he was still fed up with Tessa. However, they did not know how she made him turn out like that. Honestly, they usually fought.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCNYuKs9cP
“Brunet hair, amber eyes, looks fine and rich, he approached our Alex last time.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfxe4jMYMG
“Yes, Ben,” Tessa confirmed. “She’s in his group. There are three. All came from the capital but I mostly see Ben and her. Do you still talk to him?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI7j5v6vvt
Alexis denied it. “Last time, from that day, I didn’t see him.” She watched Tessa drank heavier than the other days. “Are you okay? You and Noel? What happened?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh6vfAfIKs
“He thought he’s my father.” And she made a groan.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDH5RMoEKb
Alexis and Oslo had eyes contact. They had fought again as predicted. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡliTsCYXIus
“Noel gets furious. He’s afraid Tessa will become promiscuous and two-faced,” Minnie revealed it all.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡccKiH0TXID
“When will you stop sell my story?” The big sister got totally angry. “Are you my sister? Go to bed!”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgh7l8TJMD
“If I don’t tell your story, then who?” Minnie smiled broadly and ran away. Alexis laughed softly but when she met Tessa’s fierce eyes, her laugh died away.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7VOAyNxgi
“Sorry…” The girl checked her watch; it was nine o’clock. “Okay, I’m about to leave.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsuJLcJE9s
Tessa turned her face to Oslo and then back to Alexis. “No, no, no way. It’s too early.” She closed her mouth to watch Wade exchanging the deep kiss with that girl. “You act like an old lady. Alexis.” Her eyes did not leave the new couples.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡizIzG3HANu
“Perhaps, I am.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIC9wcHkJY
“Is it because of Wade?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJr6scjcRt
Alexis laughed. “No, I’m fine. I’m glad he finds a girl. Look at her, so beautiful and lively. It’s not about him, Tessa. It’s about me, me only.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡE92nIJqqje
The young woman with the golden blonde hair caught most of the boys’ eyes. She wore some makeup and her baby blue eyes were shining like diamonds. Alexis loved her dance steps which captivated all attentions around the room in every move. Seeing the beautiful golden head, she also missed her Little Charlie and his golden locks.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxWxHtJpNt
“It’s about me,” Alexis repeated.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqcPwF2QST
“You spend the time to sleep more and more,” Oslo spoke. “Don’t dream too much. It’s just a dream, Alex.” It was obvious he noticed that she slept earlier every day.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2lUL5kbo
Alexis avoided Oslo’s and Tessa’s eyes. “Well, see you tomorrow.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5VvCCYm2M
Dreaming was the only way she could meet them again. Some night she sat talking with Caleb about everything, eating mother’s apple pie. Or she was reading while Bryce played guitar, with Jessie lying on the floor reading his textbook. June was still her friend and Davy was her boyfriend. Even Blacky, the dead dog became alive, ticking its tail and running around them. This was another night she met Davy. He was sitting on the couch watching a soccer match while she laid her head down on his laps.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpc2fJHhzz
“You’re not real,” she said to him and she meant the Davy she longed for. Behind those hazel eyes, there was the pure love that the real Davy had not, the sweet illusion, the image of him she loved and missed so bad.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT6ef0Zkla
“I’m real.” He gave a short snigger and an affectionate kiss. In this dream, she still felt his warm breath, lips, and body. The girl rose to sit on his laps and embraced Davy’s figure created from her yearning. She was conscious even in the dream stage. In this illusion, Alexis enjoyed the temporary contentment.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUgEpThogj
“You hug me so tight,” he told her. “Is anything okay?” copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Jo7Y8PgI
“I just miss you,” she said. And she saw the same old ceiling. Alexis tried to focus her mind on the dream but she woke up eventually.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡorBvFQwFaR
The over-white room with a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a digital clock. It was only three and thirty in the morning. She closed her eyes longing to return to the living room and Davy again. But she could not go back to sleep.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTM7xc0OAh
Alexis began to be uncertain if the decision of rejecting Wade was a good idea when she desperately needed someone to hold her in his arms. And Wade surely could warm her up with his strong arms and large chest. But if she allowed herself to let Wade stand beside her, how was their kiss would be? Recalling Wade and the new girl, Alexis hardly denied that she needed that kind of their kiss, hot and sensual. Unfortunately, except in the dream, every time she recalled the kiss of her and Davy, June’s radiant face appeared.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MnRavQjk6
Another weird thing that happened to her was the recent dreams she dreamed. Oddly enough, she was aware of the dreaming stage. So it was not the full escape when the girl could not fully enjoy the dream because of this self-awareness. In every dream, she was scared of the end.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JyCeetLTD
The girl got up and went to the mirror. She watched herself in it. Regardless, she hardly recognized the girl in the mirror. Alexis did not like the way she was now. Her father once said her smile was the loveliest but it was impossible to smile from her heart again.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJwpR4BRSc
Impossible to continue due to early sleeping, her mind could not rest so she washed her face, changed her clothes, and exited the room. She headed to the large screen just to check if anything changed. The old message was still displayed, unaltered. Even though there was no window to see the sky, the difference between night and day had been notified through senses. Alexis was walking alone while the others probably got to bed or still clubbing.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91YwS91Jsl
Then, the girl thought of the planetarium room which smelt like weeds all the time. Perhaps, in this hour, the smell might disappear and no one disturbed her observation.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt5o6kCz5w
It situated a little bit far from the cafeteria. Around one or two minute walks, she stood in front of the black door. Lucky as she wished, no one was there but the smell of weeds lightly lingered inside. She saw virtual stars sparkling. Although it was not the real sky, it impressed her no matter what because she had not seen for a long time. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIgJ77OIYG
The girl headed towards the projector. Once she touched it, the synthesis sound emitted. “Do you want to play the documentary movie?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ITEA2Gjv
“Give me the details,” she said to the device, starting to be accustomed to the way the system ran.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Y7y5raEx
“There are three documentary movies, the Origin of Universe, the Death of Stars, and Our Earth.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSfWBn3q62
“The Death of Stars,” she said without hesitation.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71bPUPpXvJ
Thousands of stars around her turned dimmer and dimmer until the room got completely dark and she saw nothing except the black of emptiness. Suddenly, the cosmic shapes began to glow again. Watching the birth of the white dwarf star, supernova, neutron star, and the black hole with the best graphic she had never seen before. Everything was born and dies because, in the end, they turn to dust. The stellar collision paralyzed her thought. She let her mind went to the stream of this artificial outer space, and then the pictures of her life appeared, the first day to become Alexis Davis, the time with her family, and the time she departed from them. Never had a single thought in her mind that she was an orphan. Never had a mind to search for the real parents who had abandoned her. Never thought Caleb and Bianna were just adoptive parents but the real ones. In spite of this, she was a small little thing in the universe with the shorter lifespan than the supernova.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxTrErx6Cc
How would it be if she had not recognized the love from them? Would she accept the reality better than this? If there was God, why did the great lord let her experience that kind of love and warmth before taking it back? Because when they were gone, it was so hard to accept the pain of losing.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj4TgFgk6m
What the purpose of this? What the purpose of God and the government? Alexis thought once the consciousness resumed, hoping the stars could give her the answer. What happened after the apocalypse? What more the government keeps hidden?copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡndoy2joshT
“Do you have any other documentary movies?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKr5c6xJca
“It requires time for download.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQtZJKFZ4L
“I can wait.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsYL004osl
“Please give the keyword.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF5KLiQi13
“The post-apocalypse.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWTXWCHBCM
“No item found in the data.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZelLelPDO
Too quick. Alexis gave a suppressed laugh to herself that she tried to search for the answer from the projector. And then she smelled the strong scent of weeds spread around the room.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVuhGfzwxB
Shit.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1xtYt6F5J
She turned to face the one who expelled everyone with this smell. He was a very tall man, lean but well-built, wearing a long sleeve shirt, jeans, and boots (due to the light, she was not sure about the color). He stared back as she stared at his messy dark hair which reminded her of Jesse’s hair. This guy looked devilish but still handsome. When the brightness of the stellar explosion reflected on his visage, it revealed how drowsy and emotionless he was.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡssJGNuV9ky
“Could you please stop smoking?” The girl politely asked.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvusNaHmHf
The young man moved closer and closer, with the cigarette at his mouth. “Why? Is there any rule?” he drawled.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhgvKeZQU4
A corner of his mouth lifting up when he saw she was stunned of his refusal, the tall man gazed at her. He was not really unemotional but irritating. The anger rose inside. Alexis tried so hard to calm her little temper down.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmwi3kNYt7
The girl moved away and spoke to the device to play “the Origin of Universe” movie. At the moment, she heard the ticking.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrC2TqdBNU
“Stop making that annoying sound!”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLb6gVkgMf
“I don’t!” He raised both hands to show his innocence and followed her. “If you select ‘Our Earth’, you will see that the graphics are incredibly fantastic. This room is small but the quality is majestic! Forget the planetariums in our world.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmCRFFbsEF
“Wait until this movie ends. Then you can watch and smoke as you like.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb6ce0CrBq
He emitted the smoke and pointed at it. “It’s the mystic midst. How beautiful! Don’t you see?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsbxyrtTIg
How could I deal with this insane man?copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83CLUhq6J4
“It’s not good for you lung.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjgSvvT8Xv
“That’s very kind of you.” Even though he did not smile, the eyes conveyed the one that mocked her. “But it’ll never ruin my health. Don’t worry.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjXJQwbkpT
“It ruins mines. That’s my worry,” she snapped back. “But I know you don’t care because you don’t even know how to share and respect people. If you think smoking will help you own the room, you’re wrong. I come first and you must stop smoking and wait.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyWcjRuKYe
Definitely, she remembered that Mary Stephen had recorded the false information about her allergy to dust. But the smoke from the cigarette was another issue which did not relate to her fear of dust. In contrast, it related to her irritation towards this man.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKx6D3Bxcy
“Oh, you see my trick.” He laughed but the laughter obviously reflected he was pretending. “You’re funny. Try one? I teach you.” He offered a cigarette. “It clears your mind.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KR0uIxG3W
Alexis glowered at him. The girl knew how the weeds affected people but she did not know how to cope with this man. In her own conclusion, the girl kept her distance from him because she wanted to win his stubbornness and because she came first. On the contrary, if he would not stop, the best solution was to surrender and leave this room. As she had thought, he still approached to bother her, emitted the smoke to her face. Moreover, the ticking sound still existed but the young man next to her did not make it, except created more fume.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEvxRPolzn
“What’s that sound?” asked her, fanning her hand to clear all the smoke.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo77vKa6hm
“Huh? What sound?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk7xlCgSjj
He carefully listened to the mysterious sound she mentioned and, “Oh, no no no no!”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTXkqO9PaJ
The ticking sound volumed up. “This one!” Alexis pointed out. In an instant, the projector stopped dead and the normal light turned on, instantly blinding her eyes. Then she perceived a mysterious force that pushed her body away from where she was standing. Unexpectedly and over-imaginatively, Alexis fell and a few inches she would bump into the wall. A slight pain she felt. The girl blinked trying to see things. Then she heard, ‘Splash!’ The waterfall from the ceiling showered up all over that man.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK8kRD52Kn
“What is that?” Shocking, certainly, the beeping sound echoed repeatedly. A short moment later, the sound of air ventilation did the job. The air perished all the water out of the room.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡopHwX39dVt
“Smoke detector!” he answered. His clothes were half dry.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKmu4NjeDt
“Are you alright?” She asked, still startled. He was younger, younger than Noel, might be around Ben. His skin was pale but his face now turned red. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQd6b5Kg7u
He shook his head. “No, because they have installed the smoke detector in this room. No, I’m not alright, not at all.” His voice trembled. He sat on the floor but Alexis thought it was like he collapsed from heartbreaking. It was really ridiculous.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwUm3Rpc4k
“There’s only this room without the smoke detector. Now, none!” He pulled a pack of cigarettes from the shirt’s pocket. It was still dry. She saw he breathed out with relief. Then he turned to face her.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB4259Qpot
“Karma is a bitch, right?” He said with the smile, now, to mock himself specifically and it brought a smile on her face as well.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmk6tvbdMi
“Yeah, serve you right.” Perhaps, he was not that bad but a troll. “And thanks for pushing me away…well, even it almost kills me. But did you push me away?” She was certain she’d not felt any hand touch.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqOCMRtc4y
Alexis looked around and sighed. The light began to turn dimmer and dimmer until it was dark. The projector worked again and the stars revitalized.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK9ANfKDE8
“You seem to like this room so much. Alright, I let you own it.” The girl kindly gave up. She lost the feeling to search for the answer from these digital stars.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xurDYXPbK
He looked up at her; the water from his hair dropped down on that devilishly beautiful face. “You can stay.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TbWvYOZaT
“It’s alright. I don’t want to watch anymore.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHDHhrX24B
“No, no… stay. I know how to share the room now. You must respect my kind offer.” copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡab9FDMDBCP
Alexis shook her head but did not get temper rising like earlier. She sat down on the floor and found it was completely dry.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJIxGewveH
“What kind of this science sorcery!” The girl was scarily amazed at the mechanism. The government possessed the super high-technology, higher than those in some science movies.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMo2uGtrIy
“So you like this room or stay in this room just for smoking?” she asked the young man.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TKcznZdYB
“Fifty-fifty correct.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2llLS2Zpye
And he abruptly stood up. Alexis unintentionally stood up too. He walked around the room watching the stars as if it was his own gallery, “It reminds me of how small I am. I am lost. I am a small piece of this universe. I am abandoned.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X1u0vatXT
It was strange that when he spoke, Alexis saw through him clearer than seeing him under the bright light. The tone of his voice implied the sarcastic thought towards the government.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21MMel9dy8
“You really want to share the sky with me, right now?” She inquired when he acted friendlier, still uncertain.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBtbmmdmLL
“I did say it.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡASIBmI7xc5
“Whatever,” Alexis squeezed her front head, adjusting her emotion.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe6d1kzby7
“I didn’t try to expel you…Okay, at first, yes,” he confessed with a laugh. “But when I saw you were standing watching the collision of stars…it’s like you’re one of them, the collision is in yours as I see it’s in mines. You have some questions…like me…pain…as if this is the end of your life. Your mind is confusing whether you have to accept the truth or not. And…you’re trying to search for the answer.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡknIOy5aLrW
Alexis muted herself for a long time when someone could read her mind.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1PgDcYLJb
“Right. You’re right. I can’t make my mind in peace when it keeps being skeptical. Sometimes I wonder what we are now is real or virtual. Perhaps, this place is a spaceship for human research. And at midnight, something will change. One day, I’ll forget myself.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaqWnrgWCO
A long silence rose between them.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XcNLKSWwj
She felt his stare but could not see which color of his eyes was, dark-brown? As she moved her interest, Alexis’s eyes followed the movement of the black hole. “They should paint the softer white color. It irritates my eyes. I don’t like it. It’s too white. I don’t know why.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4lIkZUiKE
He snickered. “Agree with that. My best friend said they tried to paint themselves white.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAOUwclN9Y
“Sound making sense but my friends didn’t see that. They don’t like nor like it. They just don’t care. I don’t like when my friends…are okay with it, accept the reality or this hallucination so well.” She looked back to him but the view was not clear enough when they were under the night sky and sparkling stars. “I don’t know when you came in. You said you saw my reaction towards this. Really? I think it’s a little bit dark here.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeVO1HzUD5
“Yes, our sight is better than yours, even under the dim light. You didn’t notice my presence even I approach you until I lit the cigarette. It took some times to wait. So when you woke up, I trolled at you.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw9zety9Mj
Alexis laughed. “You know what you did.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhTBbqOxdX
Shrugging, the corner of his mouth lifted up.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPbrEd9d7M
This man was a strange person. Alexis lost her good observation skill when her physical senses were corrupted to the ambiance. It was strange too that his words sounded true to her.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlisUxWtGJ
“I’m Alex. What’s your name?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt0F5c5TJj
Alexis laughed at once, “Weird, I’m Alex too, from Alexis. Hey!” She thought of the charming Ben. “You’re Ben’s friend. Right?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf92HOfQ1m
“You know that jerk?” His voice sounded monotonous. “Hmm, maybe it’s not surprise. He must know the girl like you before me. That’s jerk’s always quick.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkHVNCsK58
Alexis did understand but not the whole meaning. “Yeah...He laughed when I told him my name. So…you are that Alex?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSCuyHGDAp
“From Alexander,” replied he. “Yes, I am that Alex. Are you guys close?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrF7tmVJdW
“It was a short conservation, like hi! Nice to meet you but he’s really kind. He told me…” Stop being talkative, Alexis!. “Well…whatever.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QhOL4qePw
“Kind?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡnioZNWHtAh
“You always sleep late?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyJyFdVBW9
“Actually, I sleep here, don’t I?” Alex stopped his step and called her to come closer. “I just got out for a drink and when I returned, I saw you stole my room.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3ZPRLUhZJ
“….”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2dnPa4jL
“It’s a joke. You’re serious girl, are you? Want to play magic?” He sounded alert.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcj5LZiHBf
“I don’t know how to play the trick and I’m done with the trick.” Alexis thought of the magic trick that led her to the arrest at Wade’s party.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9iQZaBUsB
“It’s ok. I do. Come here.” Alex did not wait for her to follow his command but jumped behind her back and inserted his arms around her waist trying to carry her. “Hey!” Alexis tried to push his arms away. “This isn’t nice, not at all.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgYGulwEpP
“It’s alright. I don’t intend to do any…nasty things. Just believe me okay? I promise it’s a pure magic. Don’t restrain your body from me.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL2JROJavk
“It sounds…scary and I don’t like your last sentence,” Her heart beat in a race. Cameron’s monstrous face emerged in her thought. Would this guy turn to be that monster too? But he had not the look like that. And Bruce had not the look like that. She did not feel like being the victim again. “I can be an audience. Please.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmuIctSNok
Alex did notice her discomfort and his voice softened. “It’s not dangerous. You’re safe with me. Let me hold you, okay? Come on! I need an assistant. You get the privilege ticket, you know?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2BnJ5IfJ8
His face was just a few inches from her and that was how she could see his dark eyes. It was very dark but there were stars dazzling inside the pair. And she did not know why she began to trust him.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59U8TLWCVs
“You promise?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlOr40VXOj
“Yes, nothing to be scared. I promise.” He showed his little finger.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡiclTA4YikI
“But why you have to carry me?” The girl still interrogated.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpSlyL7vo3
“Because it’s easy for me and safer, you’ll see. I did promise.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlpLNtMIqA
Alexis thought for a while then nodded with approval. He lifted her as if she was just a little doll.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1INnCnrBGM
“I count one to three, okay?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7cctKYAfn
She nodded.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcJ3YwwLfX
“One…” and he jumped.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhG8Fiw7Uc
Alexis screamed; her eyes closed dared not to look down. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡTej5rNPqn5
Shortly, she just realized they did not fell on the ground but levitated, embraced by millions of stars, taking the closer look of the Milky Way. And when Alex ordered to the projector to zoom it, it was like the stars moved closer to them.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1hx5g4B1j
At that moment, her body and soul were separated from each other. Alexis felt like she was weightless. The moment she forgot all the miserable thoughts that kept haunting. When the soul was free, the perception also ceased its duty. When she perceived nothing, no pain, no yearning, and no doubt. They were no more. She became one of the stars, existed but be insensible. Losing control of all perception might be the introduction to self-liberation.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡznBfwgy2ns
“Now you understand why I’m here?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡegHym8mbzK
His resonant voice lingered in her ears but her brain worked slower. They gradually descended to the ground, succumbed to gravity at last. The girl got down from him.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnLyURPYsQ
“I’ve never…Wow. It’s like we’re in the outer space.” Her hands softly clapped at her mouth. “You can fly. That’s amazing.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1dUhJaQMy
“I can’t fly,” he corrected her. Alexis just realized to perceive that he kept watching her.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1P0zb9VnI
“What?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD5rc0i1YL
He moved closer. His gaze mused at her eyes, as though he was so curious about it. “I’ve never seen such blue eyes.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡShN6c5QnVC
“My eyes? They’re just blue.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeDKfdWo9j
“Not just blue, deep blue. When we were above and we’re so close, I saw them clearly, very blue, deep blue but...there…something igniting…not by the starlight but inside of you.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PXch9cAbb
It was like the temperature rose up; Alexis felt the air temperature rose. Alex moved closer with his eyes fixing on hers, searching for something in her eyes. The girl started to be out of breath so she stepped back.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3t9aFf02a
“We’re nocturnal animals, are we?” The young man asked.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYpgIEuF3D
“For me, just this day. I love sleeping.”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9tVmK5ylh
They looked at each other without speaking for a while and it was Alex who destroyed the silence. “Just me and you tonight, why don’t we try talking philosophy?” ended the sentence with a wicked smile.copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHldRvS6vV
“…huh?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8TGpClTho
“I really mean philosophy.” And that teasing smile again; his eyes gleamed to make fun of her dirty thought. She breathed out a sign of some patience because he made her think like that. On the other hand, she had the mind to discuss it. Of course, I mean philosophy. copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfy0bVLhu6
“Perhaps, Descartes?”copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeNTrEpkKU
“Therefore, we are.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTj2TuXEMr
copyright protection17ＰＥＮＡＮＡf139IsL4m3
