Only in the Stars

Chapter 1

Our society came to Mars in 2045, when the Kleen took over Earth. The Kleen were a group of elite alien species, that came to planets and purged out the unintelligent. They turned the planet into a “super” planet. When I think of these “super” planets, I think of guys like my father. Superficial, intelligent, and driven, makes sense my father would be being part Kleen himself. Kleen look just like humans, but their only difference is they do not have belly buttons. I, Gracie Keller have lived on Mars my entire life. Mars is all I have known, even though I was born on Earth, my father and mother moved her right after I was born. My mother eventually went back to Earth after my father became commander of Mars. But that isn’t where my story starts, my story starts with Smith.

I walked into first hour, which was when we go over the rules and regulations for living here on Mars.

“No one should leave the permitter,” my teacher said, flipping through the thick book. “No one should talk about Kleen in a negative manner.” I rolled my eyes internally, feeling my impatience seep. My favorite rule, “No one is allowed to talk to a Mars native.” Even though we did not go to the same schools, we did see them around town. The natives, or as I call them the “forbidden”, kept mainly to themselves and were extremely nice. They kept their heads down and did not cause any kind of trouble. The natives were very pale and shiny, with human like features. Their skin shimmer in the daylight and glowed at night. They were banned to the other side of town, where they were not allowed out of past dark. Sometimes I’d sneak out past the perimeter to write at night, writing about what I saw or what I was feeling. It became my favorite thing to do. I did not have many friends and the friends I did have were only my friend because of my father. Honestly, I was okay with it, I enjoyed being by myself. Which I was most of the time because my father was always doing something work related.

When school finally ended, I headed home to pack my bag to go an explore the other side of town. I made sure my father did not catch on as I grabbed an apple from the counter.

“Where are you going?” His stern voice, halting me in my tracks. I turned slowly, looking him in the eye. My father was keen on eye contact and was a human lie detector. His freshly shaved face, crew cut hair and sparkling light brown eyes staring back at me, I poked my lip out.

“I was just going to wander around, write a little.” I said, telling my half-truth. He looked at me carefully, scanning my face for sincerity.

“Ok, just be home by dinner, Angela is making lasagna.” He said, giving a small smile.

I smiled widely, grabbing my backpack, nodding at him. I rushed through the door, skipping down the steps and jogging up the street. I saw some of the kids from school riding their bikes down the graveled road, laughing, and smiling at each other. I quickly ran to the edge of the perimeter fence, making sure no one was watching me. I turned looking back as I ducked into the hole in the fence. I walked through the wooded area, looking at the tops of the tress. The wind blew lightly as I made my way to my secret spot. It was not too far off from the perimeter. I did not need my father's goons finding me and bringing me back to him. I wandered a little further, seeing the clearing ahead as I approached, I saw a tall kid around my age sitting on my rock. His skin shimmered in the sun’s wake, his dark brown shaggy hair wisping in the wind. I ducked behind a tree, watching him carefully. I stepped to get a better look, a branch snapping under my foot. I looked up and he was turned, looking in my direction. I slipped back behind the tree, my heart pumping in my chest. I wanted to run, but I knew he’d see me. I took a deep breath, leaning to look again. I slowly pushed my body from the tree, poking my head out. I let out a soft gasp, he towered over me. His green eyes sent bolts of electricity through my body.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” He demanded, taking a step closer.

“I…I…I’m Gracie.” I stuttered.

“What are you doing here, you’re not supposed to be here.” I fumbled with my backpack, taking a step back.

“I can be wherever I want.” I snapped back. He huffed, sitting on a rock next to the tree.

“I don’t think that’s true, but I am Simon.” He said, running a hand through his shaggy hair.

“I come here all the time. You just happen to be here this time. What are you doing here?” I demanded, walking closer to him. I kept our proximity slightly distanced, yet close enough to give him a once over. He was wearing baggy clothes, at least two sizes to big. The holes in his knees gapped, revealing his shimmering skin. His hoodie was dirty and old, making me feel bad that he didn’t have cleaner clothes. His face was soft, his green eyes staring back at me.

“I live just there,” He pointed out past the clearing. “I came here to get away from my parents. They were arguing about money again.” He sighed, standing up quickly.

“Oh, I’m sorry Simon. I was just coming here to write.” He raised a brow, his curiosity twitching in his lip.

“What do you write?” I smiled, pulling my notebook from my backpack, handing it to him. His large hands grabbed it, flipping through the pages. He paced as he read, smiling as he turned a page.

“These are really good. How long have you been writing?” He asked, handing me back my notebook.

“Not long, a few years.” He smiled, sitting back on the rock. I walked closer, sitting next to him. Although he looked filthy, he had a musky scent. I inhaled deeply, smiling as I exhaled. I looked up at him, our eyes locked on each other. He scanned my face, his lips curling into a sexy smile.

“You are truly beautiful.” He said softly, his hand reaching to touch my skin. His fingers grazed my cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. My skin lit up, feeling the warmth in my cheeks. I had never had a guy call me beautiful before.

“Thank you,” I said shyly. “You are beautiful too.” He chuckled, taking his hand from my skin. I watched the sun dip below the horizon and panic set in. I shoved my notebook in my backpack, throwing it over my shoulders again.

“Are you okay?” He asked, the nervousness shaking in his voice.

“Yes, I am sorry Simon. I must go before my father comes looking for me. I’ll come back tomorrow if you want to talk again.” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear. He nodded, standing up, looking down at me again.

“I’ll be here.” He whispered. I smiled as I turned heading back to my house. I smiled the whole way home. No boy had ever called me beautiful.

                The next day, I rushed to the secret spot, avoiding my father completely. I did not want him to tell me I had to be home at a certain time. If I missed dinner, oh well. I carefully ducked under the wired fence, walking swiftly toward the clearing. I saw him sitting on the same rock from yesterday, his clothes were less tattered than yesterday. I smiled as I approached him.

“Hey pretty girl, how was your day?” He asked, standing up to walk towards me. I smiled, hugging him tightly, inhaling his musky scent again. I pulled back, looking into his eyes.

“It was okay. I have been waiting all day to see you.” I admit, running my hand over his left arm. He was definitely hiding muscles under his baggy clothes.

“I have something for you,” He smiled, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small rock. It shimmered as he handed it to me. It was opaque and a turquoise in color, with lines of gold. “It’s called a memory rock. It stores all your good memories. You just put it to your temple, and it will play your kept memories like a video in your head. Here let me show you, close your eyes.” I closed my eyes as his fingers grazed my cheek. He pressed the rock to my temple, the coolness touching my skin. In an instant a flash, yesterday played in my head, only it was in his eyes I was seeing it in. He approached me and I felt his heart beat a little faster as he told me his name. I saw my smile as he touched my face and then it went dark again. My eyes fluttered open, and he was staring at me, his toothy smile sending shivers down my spine.

“That was beautiful, Simon. Thank you so much.” I said, grabbing his hand and giving it a slight squeeze. He gave me a soft smile, pulling me in for a hug. I squeezed around his torso, inhaling his musky scent again. We pulled back from each other, our breath catching on each other’s.

“I want to know everything about you.” He whispered, inching his face closer to mine.

“Ask me anything.” I said, staring into his olive orbs. He pulled back from me, leading me toward the rock. He sat and I followed suit. We began telling each other of our lives, ambitions and fears. Simon was from a poorer family, his father worked the farm, while his mother tended to the household duties. I told him of my father and his unrealistic expectations. We talked about the rules and how we both thought they were stupid. As the sun set, I felt I knew who Simon really was after only hours of talking.

“I am happy we’ve gotten to know each other,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Me too Simon, it’s like I’ve known you my whole life. Can we perhaps hangout again tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yes, I’ll meet you right here.” He said softly, inching his face toward mine. Our breath caught each other’s again and our lips grazed each other’s just slightly. I hungrily crashed my lips into his, the electricity soaring through my body. His hands found my neck, his fingers griping the nape and squeezed gently. His tongue invaded my mouth, twisting and playfully attacking my tongue. Our kiss seemingly lasted forever and as we pulled back. I felt this giddiness.

“I am sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.” I said timidly. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Don’t be sorry, I’ve wanted to do that since yesterday when we first met.” He admitted, sending pangs of joy to my heart. We kissed again, finding comfort in our bodies. We pulled apart again and I noticed the sun had set.

“Oh, my goodness, Simon I need to go. My father is going to be furious.” I said, gathering my things quickly.

“Meet me here tomorrow?” He said, standing in the same haste. I nodded, quickly kissing him goodbye as I made my way through the woods. I hurriedly headed to my house, jogging up the street. The guards had begun patrolling and I knew it was at my father's bidding. I ran up the walkway, jogging up the stairs and opening the door. My father paced in the kitchen.

“Where have you been!” He yelled, slamming his hand on the countertop.

“I... I’m sorry father, I lost track of time.” I stuttered. He scoffed in disgust, walking out of the kitchen.

“You are grounded, no more wandering. Now go to bed!” He yelled, stomping up the wooden stairs. I sighed. His reaction could have been much worse. I smiled at Angela, who was cleaning dishes from dinner. I jogged up the stairs to my room, plopping my backpack on the floor. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was so happy that I met Simon. He warmed my heart, and I couldn’t wait to see where it led.