BEYOND THE STARS AND BACK
CHAPTER 5
The early morning light streamed through my window, casting a warm glow over my room. I stood there, lost in thought, as the sun's rays danced across the walls, illuminating the dust particles that swirled in the air.
But my mind was elsewhere, fixated on Lisa. Her apology still lingered, like an unresolved melody that refused to fade away.
I had brushed it off, telling her I was fine, that it didn't bother me, but now I wasn't so sure. Maybe it did bother me, maybe it bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
I thought back to the way she had looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of regret and sadness. It was a look that had caught me off guard, made me feel things I didn't know how to process.
I had always thought Lisa was different, that she wasn't like the other girls from before. I doubted this at a point. But her apology had given me pause. Maybe she wasn't like them after all. Maybe there was more to her than I had initially thought.
Lately, we'd been spending a lot of time together – talking in class, grabbing lunches on the roof, laughing and joking like we'd known each other for years.It was fun, and I found myself looking forward to our interactions.
She was becoming someone I enjoyed being around, in a way that made me feel alive.
We'd talk about everything and nothing, and I'd find myself smiling, feeling like I was a part of something bigger than myself.
As I stood there, bathed in the morning light, I realized that I wasn't sure what to make of my feelings for Lisa. But one thing was certain – spending time with her had become one of the highlights of my day.
I felt a flutter in my chest, a sense of excitement that I couldn't ignore. Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to feel something more.
…
That afternoon, as I stepped out of the school gates.
The warm breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sound of chatter filled the air. The sun's rays cast a golden glow over everything, and I felt alive. At peace.
That's when I saw her – Lisa, standing there with a radiant smile on her face. That seemed to dispel the growing shadows that formed as the sun started setting. Her eyes locked onto mine, and time seemed to slow down.
The wind rustled her hair, and her bright blue eyes sparkled like diamonds as she gazed at me. I felt a flutter in my chest, a sense of excitement that I couldn't ignore.
"Hey, Joel! Want to walk home together?" she asked, waving her hand at me with a playful grin. Her smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey, Lisa. Yeah, sure. We can go," I replied, feeling a sense of ease with her.
But then she realised vector wasn't with
me. "Where is my brother?" she asked, looking around.
"He said he had to finish up with something," I replied, my eyes fixed at her. "He told me to go ahead without him."
"We should wait for him," she suggested. "We can talk while we wait."
As I stood there, next to her. The fading light of day cast a warm glow over us, and I felt a sense of connection with Lisa that I couldn't quite explain.
But from all a sudden, she said, "There's this question that's been lingering on my mind for some time. And no matter how much I try to shake it off, it still seems to come back."
Her words hung in the air, laced with a hint of vulnerability and uncertainty, her eyes searching mine for answers.
What question is that? I asked, my curiosity burning in my eyes like a flame, my heart beating a bit faster.
What question could she want to ask? I thought to myself, my mind racing with possibilities, my entire being leaning in, eager to hear her response.
…
#Lisa
The first time I saw you, I didn't really think much of you. I always thought you were the type of person who liked to keep to themselves, someone who found comfort and peace in solitude.
But, I misread you. And after that day, my whole perception of you shifted. I couldn't help but wonder, why our classmates bullied you into isolation?
Silence fell on the scene, the question still lingering in the air like a challenge. When I looked at him, trying to meet his gaze, his eyes dropped to the ground, and a shadow seemed to swallow his face whole.
In that moment, a massive, suffocating shadow filled with pain and sadness enveloped us, making it hard to breathe. The weight of it was crushing, nearly suffocating.
But then he broke the silence, his words piercing through the darkness like a beacon of light in the night, leaving behind a trail of calm. "You know," he said, his voice steady. "People will always be people."
He paused, collecting his thoughts. "It wasn't like this, I started being bullied recently. Or maybe, it was only recently I realized I was already a victim to it. I used to think I had friends, but I didn't quite realize they were just acquaintances. They only talked to me when I initiated conversations, but if I didn't, nothing
I was stuck in an endless loop of chasing people who didn't really want me, not even one bit."
His words poured out like a flood, raw and honest.
"But the moment I became distant, the names, the murmurs, the whispers began. Everyone in our class, everyone made me feel less of a person, feeling like I never belonged. That's when I decide to become a loner, an outcast. I thought by doing that, it would all stop, but it only got worse
One day, I found myself on the ground, bleeding, having been spat on. And then realisation hit me, I was all alone, always had."
The pain still lingered in his words, a haunting reminder of the scars that remained.
His expression softened as he moved close to me, his eyes filling with an overwhelming glow that made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't help but stare, feeling a flutter in my chest.
"None of that really matters now, " he said, his voice low and gentle, like a warm breeze on a summer day. "Because I have you and Vector. Lisa… I… You're the best thing that's happened to me."
The words hung in the air, making the space around us vibrate with emotion. I felt like I was melting into the moment, unsure of what to do with the feelings swirling inside me.
I fumbled for a distraction, trying to break the spell. "So... Who will you go with. Ah I mean the fireworks festival?" I asked, my voice a bit too loud, a bit too awkward.
The words felt like a clumsy attempt to shatter the intimacy of the moment, and I could feel the tension between us grow. Why did I say that? I thought to myself, mortified. He must think I'm weird.
But instead of reacting awkwardly, he just scratched his afro, he made a confused grin while looking up. "Ah there's this girl from our class I want to ask... but why are you asking about the festival?" His tone was curious, not judgmental, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me, followed by a pang of curiosity – who was this girl he wanted to ask?
…
#Joel
As I wandered to myself why Lisa asked an awkward question, she turned to me with an expectant gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "So, you're with someone?" Her expression softened, like the first hint of dawn breaking through the night, and I felt my heart stumble over itself.
Seriously. She could ask that? I thought sarcastically, my mind racing with the implications. But then our eyes met, and I was ensnared by the whirlpool of emotions swirling in her gaze – curiosity, concern, and something else I couldn't quite place.
I paused, the world around us melting away, leaving only the two of us suspended in a sea of uncertainty.
The wind whispered secrets to the trees, rustling the petals of nearby flowers, and time seemed to slow its relentless march.
I took a deep breath, the air thick with unspoken words, and said, "I'm not. I have trouble when it comes to romance." My voice was a fragile thing, barely above a whisper, but it seemed to carry weight, like a stone cast into still waters.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, like stars on a clear night. "I don't think it's just romance – you're extremely unlucky," she said, her voice laced with playful teasing.
That expression, that smile, those eyes, made me want to bare my soul, to share the weight I'd been carrying. And I did.
"I've been trapped in this endless cycle of rejection," I said, the words tumbling out like a confession. "Every girl I've confessed to, has rejected me. It's aways been like that."
My expression softened, and my eyes filled with a mix of emotions – pain, vulnerability, and a hint of resignation. "But It's not my place to force anyone to like or accept me,"
I continued, my voice cracking with emotion. "I accept, and respect that you don't have feelings for me. But why make me feel bad, dreadful for liking you? I wonder why people make you feel stupid for liking them in the first place. To a point were you wished you never did."
The words poured out of me like a pent-up flood, and I couldn't seem to stem the tide. "It's always been like that with every girl," I said, the admission hanging in the air like a challenge.
…
#Lisa
"I am the same," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves were a fragile thing that might shatter if spoken too loud.
After Joel shared his story, I felt a sense of solidarity with him, a connection that went beyond mere friendship. We both seemed to have similar experiences when it came to romance, a thread of pain and rejection that bound us together.
The first person I loved was Jim, my brother's friend from the orphanage we grew up. I loved him with all of me, with a ferocity that consumed me whole.
But unfortunately, he didn't feel the same way. One day, he... My voice trailed off, and before I could finish the sentence, tears streamed down my cheeks like a summer storm. A sharp pain pierced my chest, a harsh reminder of that traumatic day.
"He tried to force himself on me," I said, the words tumbling out like a relentless march of stumpeding animals. My body shook with sobs, and Joel's arms wrapped around me, holding me close.
In that moment, the only comfort I felt was the warmth of his chest, the gentle pressure of his hands on my back. He didn't say anything, but his silence was a balm to my soul, a reminder that sometimes, words weren't needed to convey empathy and understanding.
As I cried, Joel held me, his presence a steady heartbeat that calmed my racing thoughts. I felt a wave of pent-up emotions – sadness, pain, and trauma – wash over me, but with Joel's arms around me, I felt safe, like I could finally exhale.
When I finally looked up, Joel's expression was filled with empathy, his eyes shining deep with understanding. "I can only imagine how hard that must have been for you," he said softly, his voice gentle. "But one thing I want you to know is that you're safe with me, Lisa. I would never hurt you."
As he spoke, our eyes met, and for the first time, I felt a spark of attraction drawing us closer together. Our faces only inches apart before contact, and I could feel the tension between us build. The air was charged with possibility, and I wondered what would happen next
…
"What are you guys doing, making out in front of the school gate?" Vector teased, his voice dripping with amusement.
Joel rolled his eyes good-naturedly, while I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "We weren't making out," Joel protested, "and thanks to you, we ended up waiting till night time."
Vector chuckled, his laughter infectious. "You're welcome," he said, his sarcasm evident.
I couldn't help but laugh at their banter, enjoying the lighthearted moment. The tension between Joel and me seemed to dissipate, replaced by the warmth of friendship.
"Hey, hey, it's alright you guys, let's go," I said, intervening to calm the teasing atmosphere.
…
As we walked Joel home, Vector dominated the conversation, regaling us with stories of his day. Joel and I exchanged awkward glances, our eyes locking and unlocking in a nervous dance.
We both seemed to be avoiding eye
contact, our nerves getting the better of us. But every now and then, I'd catch Joel's gaze, and my heart would skip a beat.
As we reached Joel's place, I turned to him and said, " I had fun with you. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Bye. " My words were simple, but they seemed to carry weight, and Joel's expression softened. He looked at me, his eyes shining with a gentle light, a look that he also wanted the same. "The same," he replied, his voice low and gentle
" I enjoyed every moment I spent with you. I can't wait for tomorrow."
We said our goodbyes, but I lingered, not wanting the moment to end. I wished we could stay in that moment forever, savoring the connection between us. The night air was filled with possibility, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of something new.
But then Vector called out, "Lisa, let's go," and the spell was broken. I smiled at Joel, and he smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Reluctantly, I turned to leave, feeling the promise of tomorrow hanging in the air.
…
On the way home, Vector's voice dropped, careful and serious. "Lisa, I have something to tell you."
A shiver ran through me. "What is it?" My voice trembled.
"I think I know who the Time Reaper might be."
My breath caught. "Does that mean we're close?" My voice rose before I could stop it. "Tell me, brother—who is it?"
"Sorry," I added quickly, lowering my tone. "I know the Time Reaper's identity is classified. I just—"
"It's alright," Vector said. "Listen. There are two people from our class I suspect because of their past, profile, and recent activities. Their names are Derrickson and Wana."
He glanced around and leaned in. "They've been involved in shady things. In the past, they were linked to a case where someone died. The court ruled it manslaughter—an accident."
Anger and determination surged through me.
"If anyone could be the Time Reaper, it's one of them, because they are the only suspicious ones in our class, " Vector went on. "I dug deeper. And found their involvement in. Bullying. Gangs. Violence. We might be close to the truth… We might finally get justice for Mother and Father."
…
As we stood there talking, an old lady approached, her eyes warm and curious. "You two children are friends of Joel, right?" she asked kindly.
Vector and I exchanged quick glances, trying to act natural after that intense talk. "Yes, ma'am," Vector said gently. "We are."
Her face brightened. "You're nice young people. I'm glad you're friends with Joel. He's a kind-hearted boy, and I feel sorry for what he's been through."
"What do you mean, ma'am?" Vector asked.
She gazed into the distance, memories softening her voice. "His mother became pregnant under unusual circumstances. Nobody knew who the father was. She never revealed much. She said he lived with her for some years and then left, but no one ever saw him. She's lived in our neighborhood almost all her life."
"How is that possible?" I asked, breathless with curiosity.
The old lady shook her head. "We were all surprised. When we asked, she never gave details—only that he left because of her pregnancy, returning to a place she called 'beyond the stars.' We didn't pry. She was a private person."
Her words painted Joel's childhood in hard colors. A lump formed in my throat.
"His mother didn't give him the love every child deserves," she continued softly. "He spent most of his childhood alone– isolated by both, parent and neighbourd. Other children wouldn't play with him because he fatherless. He's been alone almost all his life."
My heart broke for him. "Joel means the world to me," I said, voice shaking. "No matter how much I hear about his pain, it cuts deep every time. I will always be by his side."
Vector rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. The old lady smiled kindly. "I'm glad he has you. He's lucky to have a friend like you."
And right there, I knew I would do anything to support Joel. Anything.