Megan Rose was the absolute nerd. Or the internet would call her so. Out of all of her classmates she was the only one who will spend her full holiday's studying about stars, exoplanets and earth. When a classmate is reading a textbook beside her, she would probably be reading something like, "Annals Of The Deep Sky" by Jeff Kanipe and Dannis Webb or something by Stephen Hawking or anything related to astronomy.
When she was much young, when other's looked for aesthetics, phones, toys, she looked for stars. She looked up at the stars, deep in the sky. If someone were asked to describe her, they would simply say, "An unofficial astronomer"
In her class, she was famous. Unexpected? No, this sounds more like a lie. But, it isn't. She isn't famous for being extroverted, funny or good at sports or good marks. She is an introvert, doesn't even know what being a drama queen can be like. But, she is a student with marks in science that no one in her grade can achieve. She is famous for her love for astronomy.
She had also participated many science fairs and science projects. Where she made projects that were related to astronomy or planetary science. Her personal library slash laboratory had a corner where trophies were displayed in files.
On a Wednesday in January, she was experimenting with motion structures. Not from her usual interest, but, somehow she had gotten into it. She was in her laboratory searching for a photo she had taken from her mother's phone. Where the hell did I put it? She thought. Opening her desk's drawer which was green in color, she found a printout photo of a car. Where she tried to capture motion but failed. She took that photo. Her brown hair fell in front of the picture. Tucking the hair behind her ear, she observed the photo.
Then, she looked at the desk, from where she took another printout photo in her hand. When she looked at the photo, her lips curved in a sweet smile. The picture was proof that hardworking actually pays off.
"Meg, darling, Osian is calling you." Her mom's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Osian?" Megan looked up, blinking in confusion. Then, in sudden realization, she understood why he is calling her now. "Ok, give me the phone."
Her mother handed it to her and quickly added "Sorry, I cut him off."
"I know that, that's why the phone isn't ringing." She replied with a knowing smile.
"Don't forget to eat the food, I kept it in the kitchen."
She rolled her eye. "Don't say this. It isn't a big deal."
Her mother gave her a look. "It will be, when you collapse out of exhaustion."
"Ok, ok, I will eat." She sighed.
Megan looked in the direction until her mom closed the door and disappeared down the hall. She swiped the lock screen and entered her password: 5210. When she was about to go to contacts, the phone started to sing a soft melody, the ringtone. Osian's name popped up. Her cousin had been her closest friend. Although, he wasn't passionate about stars like she was.
"Hey, wassup?" A deep voice asked from the other side.
"Nothing's up, except for class topper's mark."
"And also global sea level." The voice sighed. "I'll take that as a joke. I hope everything's ok." He coughed. "Remember tomorrow is our scheduled day?"
"Umm…Yeah, I know."
"Ok." He said. "I thought, you forgot."
"Osian." She said with a fake irritated voice. She was so stunned, by listening her own voice, that she can actually talk like this.
"What...Meg?" Osian said.
"I'm not that bad." She said, now with a playful voice. "You've got the equipment?"
"Yup, all set. But, umm… don't forget to bring the thing, you know, the one that's going to make the difference."
Megan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Chill, I'll take it."
"Ok, don't miss out tomorrow."
"I won't."
"Alright, alright. Bye Meg."
"Bye."
"Hey, Meg." Osian stopped her.
"What now?" Megan was confused.
"I know you're good." He said softly.
Megan smiled and ended the call. Her heart was pounding. She was excited. She looked at the planner, tomorrow is Thursday. A good day to work maybe. She couldn't wait to see what would happen tomorrow.
As she sat down to rest, she heard a familiar voice, her mother's voice from kitchen.
"Darling, you better come and eat before I throw it out."
"Alright, I'm coming." But her mind was already on tomorrow. Tomorrow was going to be good. Not just good, special.
***