–8 Years Later–

Students wearing colorful costumes, bright makeup, and archaic headpieces ran to and fro, struggling to erect the backdrop of a large pyramid, high onto a cliff by the sea. They hurried on and off the stage, in disorganized chaos, chattering nervously about lights and expectations. It was the night of their play, the premiere of: Reem, The Diamond Bolt.  

Nellie stood near the back of the auditorium, with her black hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail and a headset between her ears. Her cardigan and silver dress were, as always, pristine and wrinkle free. She was the show’s director after all; and as director, it was her job to lead, inspire, and maintain not only a well-kempt image but also a level head amongst the stress and rising tensions. When a corner of the backdrop fell out of place, she strode down the center aisle and called for the crew’s attention. “Pull the Sea and Sky backdrop up some more, the top edge needs to be hidden from the audience!”

She hopped on stage with confidence, alternating between leading her crew and talking into her headset, “Move the pyramid another foot to the left! Max, bring house lights down, and bring up the lights for Scene 1. Not one foot audience left, one foot stage left!” 

There was no response over the headset. “Max?” Nellie craned her neck to peer up onto the far side of the balcony, where the lighting booth rested. 

Empty. 

Turning back to her crew, Nellie inquired, “Has anyone seen– Ahh!” 

A short boy with large round glasses laughed at startling Nellie. She frowned and gave him a playful push in return. “There you are Max, I want you to strike the setup for Scene 1 before you head out. That should get these guys back on track. Hey put that backstage, that's not for this scene!”

“Here.” Max handed her a small tablet. “I rigged the lights for every setup we’ll need.”

“Dude, c’mon. I don’t have time to figure this thing out.” Nellie raised an eyebrow at the device. “We’re running late and my lead isn’t even back yet. How long did you say these proposals last?” 

“Ten minutes,” he said, shaking with anticipation. This project proposal was the final step in the tedious application process for a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a scholarship with Omi Labs, an aerospace and cosmonautics research agency founded by Orophic astrophysicist, Dr. Omari Omi. He was known to most of the world for his advancements in renewable energy capture, but Nellie and Max, who often teamed up for math projects and science experiments, had only started following the astrophysicist after his improvements in the aerial mobility of rocket ships and other spacecraft. 

When news broke of the scholarship, Nellie had been adamant about having Max apply. He was reluctant of course, but the fourteen-year-old was the best candidate she knew. He was already taking classes at the local university – proof that he had the skills to compete – and his mom, Arashi, had worked at the Comet Hill Observatory for nearly a decade now and could grant him access to all the resources he'd need. Nellie had other things to focus on, like the play and the arrival of Meteora later that night, so she was more than happy to be more of a helper since she seriously doubted that a career in science waited for her in the future. 

“Most sessions take longer because of the Q&A portion afterwards,” continued Max. “The longer it runs, the more they like your pitch. And look, the remote is easy.” He walked over and showed her how to use the tablet. “There’s a switch for everything between what’s left of reversals to the end of Act One. I should be back by then.” 

Nellie crossed her arms. “Ugh, alright. I’m trusting you here. But it’s already hard enough keeping these guys focused. Best of luck.”

“Thanks, I’ll go grab my things!” He darted past Nellie, only to be jarred to a halt when she put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. 

“Hold on.” She pulled him closer and brought her voice down to a whisper. “Your proposal. What did you decide on?”

Max couldn’t contain his excitement. “The coral reefs! I think developing integratable solar cells for them would not only benefit this region’s energy production, it would increase touris–”

“Nellie!” An actor backstage began calling for her in a shrill tone – “Nellie! Oh Director!” – and appeared from behind the curtain garbed in a black and violet warrior’s cloth. “Nellie, I have to ask you a question!”

Max laughed as Nellie rolled her eyes, “I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Max one more thing, Ozzy hold on! I’m busy damnit! Have you seen Raul anywhere?”

“No. Ask Yuève maybe, I just saw her backstage.”

Nellie left Max with a smile before the younger boy walked off. Ozzy remained next to her however, bouncing on the balls of his feet, wearing an eager grin. “OKAY Ozzy, what’s your questi-”

“How’s the setup going so far? I was thinking about my scene and I really think I should stand center stage instead of back left-”

Nellie was already walking away from him, directing the rest of her crew as she went. “Alright guys this set is done, looks perfect! Great job! Hey Heather, have you seen Raul anywhere? No? Alright you're in charge 'til I get back.”

House lights shut off and the stage was bathed in the pale pinks, deep reds, and cosmic lavenders of sunset. Nellie was almost backstage when she heard a tsk followed by an “Ugh, rude.”

She spun.

“Ozzy, you’re Anurian General #3! You only have two lines!” She passed through the curtain stage left, fleeing the chaotic rehearsal for the calm darkness of backstage. Actors moved to and fro in a hush past walls of exposed brick, pipes, ropes, and heavy black curtains that hung from high above. Nellie moved past her actors and continued deeper backstage in search of Yuève. She stopped in front of a tall actor who stood sulking with arms crossed, and asked, “Miguel, have you seen Raul or Yuè around?”

“What?” He replied, absentmindedly. “Oh, Yuè was just here but I think she stepped out.”

“Umm, okay I’ll keep looking.”

“Max,” Miguel glanced up. “He’s working the lights?”

“Not anymore, he’s got his proposal to give. Why?”

“No reason. Just wanted to be sure that everything’s set for my soliloquy.” 

“It is.” He was set to play King Anuris of the Gate so they had practiced his scenes close on a dozen times by now. “We’re gonna nail it dude.”

Miguel offered a smirk in response. With his head low, he drew away from Nellie and disappeared behind a black curtain.

She shrugged it off. They were all full of nerves today.

Exiting through the backstage doors, Nellie emerged onto a familiar setting; polished tiled floors, blue and yellow lockers against fading white walls, sterile fluorescent lights flooding the liminal space of the halls. It was there, leaning against a bright cobalt locker, that she found Yuève. Her best friend’s loose, dark-brown curls fell over the unbuttoned baseball jersey she wore on top of an embattled pair of jean shorts. She radiated warmth, left all but glowing after sitting in the sun for the past hour or so. And though she was on the phone, Yuève still managed a small wave at Nellie upon seeing her.

“Yeah mom, it should be on my desk,” she spoke quickly, “Nellie’s here by the way, say ‘hi’ Nel. No, I didn’t forget to charge the batteries, mom says hi. Mom, it’s on my desk, yes that desk, I only have one.”

Nellie laughed and Yuève smiled, rolling her eyes as she signaled at the phone. Classic mom. Nellie tried to mouth the words ‘Where is Raul?’ but Yuève furrowed her brows in confusion. 

“You found it?” Yuève returned her attention to the phone, “Cool. Huh? Oh yeah, we’ll stay downtown for the Shower. Nellie wouldn’t let us miss it for the world. I’ll see you guys soon, okay mom? Yes yes, I’ll ask her, byeeee.” She hung up the phone and stuffed it into her shorts. 

Nellie began first, “Tei took the camera from your room, huh?” 

“Just the memory card.” Yuève sighed, “Brothers, they’re so annoying.”

“Eh,” Nellie shrugged, “Max and Tei aren’t so bad. It’s good to have siblings.”

“They’re your brothers too,” Yuève replied, finding Nellie’s hazel eyes gleaming. “Just as much as they’re mine.”

“That makes you my sister.”

“You know it!” Yuève grinned wide and put an arm around Nellie before continuing, “Ugh, I wish you could’ve come to the game today.” 

“I know, but the premiere-”

“Oh right! Don’t worry about it, you’re our director, our fearless leader! We know you’re busy, it’s just–” She bit her lip. “Raul didn’t show up either.”

“No way,” Nellie gasped. “Ugh, we both flaked on you? Sorry Yuè. What was the score?”

“5-3 when I left!” Yuève jumped as she replied, “Our Asteroids made a strong comeback in the fourth inning. Anyway, it’s no biggie. Since I was alone, Sarah came and sat next to me.”

“Sarah? The school photographer? Did it go well?”

Yuè beamed when she answered, “We’re hanging out at the street fair tonight.”

“Nice!” Nellie gave her friend a high five. “I’m glad you turned our flaking out into something good.”

Yuève smiled with a shrug, “Gotta roll with the punches.”

“We oughta leave you alone more often then,” Nellie teased. “Spend weeks without you.”

“Don’t push it.”

The friends laughed, humoring the mere thought of them spending more than a day apart. After a moment however, Nellie asked, “So where is Raul?”

“He texted me that he got held up at the art studio.” 

“Oh right, the muse readings. I need him here.”

“Need?”

“For the play, yes,” Nellie shot back quickly. “I need him here.”

Yuève laughed before offering, “Right. I can go get him for you. Teatree’s studio isn’t that far.”

Nellie shook her head, “No way dude. I need you in costume, ASAP.”

Yuève mimicked her best soldier's salute, “Yessir.”

“I’ll go grab Raul, ” Nellie said, starting down the hall. “You’re right, your brothers are annoying.”

“Go get him Nel!” Yuève teased. “You need him here!” Without turning around Nellie flung a middle finger behind her at Yuè who responded with a hearty laugh. 

 Nellie turned the corner and was now in the main hall of the school. Lockers stretched endlessly left, right, and out-of-sight. They were festooned with hand-made decorations and crudely crafted posters for both the school’s rivalry week and the street fair downtown celebrating the arrival of Meteora. Some passionate students had even come together to build an archway tunnel of blue and yellow balloons in front of the school’s gymnasium as an attempt to draw larger numbers to a pep rally earlier that day. She ran up the stairs to the second floor, footsteps echoing through vacant, after-school corridors. I’m going to run this play tonight. This is my night. She was nearly at the studio now. And after;

The meteors! The meteors are finally coming tonight! 

Nellie grinned, shocked with excitement as she swung open the art classroom door. It was a dust-covered, cluttered space with painting supplies scattered over chairs, tables, and shelves. The teacher sat in the back of the class, sculpting a small vase while vibing to the tunes of his headphones, utterly oblivious to the world. Raul, dark and handsome like his siblings, stood in the back corner, hoisting a folding table and other supplies into a storage closet. He turned and smiled as Nellie approached. 

She let out an excited, and only slightly maniacal laugh. 

Raul made a face. “What was that?”

“Shut up!” Nellie giggled, “I’m just happy. You always gotta wait until the last second, huh?”

 Raul shrugged in return, “I’m nearly finished.”

In order to participate in the festivities for Meteora, the art kids had decided to do readings after school using the birthdates of other students to predict the Instruments they would receive from the meteors. For an additional fee, Raul and some of the other sketch artists would create quick renditions of their patrons as musae.

“And you’re aware that the play’s tonight?” Nellie raised a brow, hands on her hips.

“Aware and ready.” He was mocking her. “You should know that.”

“I guess.” She caught a glimpse of a couple watercolor portraits, drying in the racks behind Raul. “Are any of those paintings yours?”

“A few. But you know I mostly do landscapes, so they didn’t turn out that great.” 

“Yeah you always say that. Which Instruments did you draw?”

“Water, earth, and psychic. For some reason those results were the most popular.”

“Did you make one of me?” Nellie averted her eyes for a second, needing a moment away from his piercing warm gaze. “You’re running out of time to guess which powers I’ll get.” 

“That’s true,” he let out a nervous breath and turned to wash a set of paintbrushes as silence filled the moment between them. 

Nellie continued, peering over his shoulder, “So, are you almost finished or what?”

“Just need to put the paints away after cleaning these brushes and–”

“Because I need you in costume like now dude.”

Raul laughed, “You got it boss, I’m going as fast as I can.”

“C’mon man!”

“Grab some supplies and help me then! You know where everything goes.”

Nellie let out a dramatic gasp, pretending to be concerned about the teacher. “That’s cheating! This responsibility was placed solely on you.”

They stared at each other in serious silence for a second, only to burst out in laughter. Nellie reached for the paints and put them away as Raul finished the last of the brushes and Teatree vibed on. 

Working together, they finished in no time. They hurried out of the studio and down the main hall, and as they approached the bottom of the stairs, Yuève’s voice rang out to greet them. “Raul!” 

She was in costume as Dame Heloise of the Ahoguar Court; wearing a cheaply made maxi skirt, with a lace corset, ballet flats, and a seafoam headdress. “Guess what happened at the game?”

“I heard it was a close game,” her brother replied.

“No no, not that! I sat with Sarah!”

“Sarah? Miss ‘I am the Greatest Photographer ever’ Sarah?” Raul smiled, raising his eyebrows.

“Yup!” Yuè gleamed, unable to restrain her excitement. “Got her number too.” 

“No way? Nice work Yuè.” They shared a high-five. “Get some headshots free of charge.” 

“Oh you know I will. Sarah…” She paused, before continuing, “She’s a bit too interested in her ‘art’ but whatever, she’s smart and cute and I got her number soo…”

“We get it!” Nellie exclaimed, giving Yuève a playful shove.

“Quit it,” she laughed, her dark curls bouncing up and down. “This has been a long time coming.” 

Raul grinned with Yuève as they arrived at the backstage doors, “So when are you two going out?”

“Tonight! She wants to meet downtown for the fair–”

Nellie’s mind snapped back to the premiere. “Actually guys, hold on, the show.” Her friends nodded in understanding as she continued, “Raul, get in costume and round up the others backstage.” He left without a moment to waste, leaving Nellie and Yuève alone again.

“Yuè, Max isn’t in the light booth yet so we won’t be able to practice your scenes. Is that alright?”

“Yeah dude, I’ve got this.” 

“Cool.”

Nellie moved toward the backstage door when Yuève exclaimed loudly, “Oh! I almost forgot! Mom wanted me to ask if you cared for a copy of the play.”

“Right, the camera.”