Chapter 4

Chapter 4

EiT (Empress in Training) Kuroi Uchuujin of Taurns

"If you’re a strong female, you don’t need permission." -Lady Gaga, "SchiBe"

There’s another human concept that makes no sense to me. The entire idea of it sounds like a good one, and a fun one, but then the actual event is nothing like the idea.
Partying is odd.
I can’t seem to comprehend how it’s "fun" to drink alcohol until you’re sick and then make a complete fool out of yourself. Those who did this sort of thing on Taurns were worthless bums who mooched off the life supplies of their families and eventually killed themselves and their family from overexertion.
The only reason I know about this "partying" sport is because when I returned from my lunch break, Evan was talking about one he was attending tonight. He described it as a real nice sounding time, but later Allie explained to me what really went on at parties.
Now, why Evan continued to talk to me about these parties, I did not understand. He invited me, which did not make sense. We did not know each other on a personal level. When I asked Allie about this, she laughed and patted my head.
"He likes you," she said lightly.
"Why wouldn’t he like me, I did nothing to cross him, but I’ve also done nothing for him to believe we have a personal relationship," retorted confused.
She shrugged and played with one of my curls. "Maybe he wants a personal relationship."
Now I laughed. I’m an Empress. My suitors are chosen for me. Taurns’ greatest warriors, scholars, doctors will be brought to me on my, in human years, twenty-first birthday. That is almost three human years away.
"That is not possible."
"Why isn’t it?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. I was taken aback. Why did human females always confront me? First the unhappy girl, then Briella, and now Allie. Why must they pursue with their questions instead of accepting what is said? Why must there be a reason?
"Because he is not a suitor," I blurted. I pinch my arm. "Suitor" is going to bring up another question.
"A suitor? Every guy is a suitor, Honey. Do you mean he’s not like you? Is that why you can’t date him?" She insisted.
"What is ‘date’? And yes," I said slowly, "we are from very different worlds."
I tried not to giggle at the blunt truth in my words.
Allie gave me a strange look and ruffled my hair, which I did not like. As I fixed my hair she took my hands and looked me dead in the eye. I could make out every shade of brown in her eyes as I stared back, trying to focus on what she was focusing on.
"You live in America now, Sweetheart, you can date anyone you want," she said.
"I still do not understand the word ‘date’," I replied, basically ignoring her words. She threw her arms in the air and scowled. Giving me another look that was much more serious, I could tell she was reading me.
"Wendy, where did you come from?" she asked me.
I froze. I always deflected the question, but in that moment I knew she wasn’t going to let me.
"It’s far away."
"What’s it’s name?"
"Why does it matter?"
"Wendy, tell me."
I looked around and saw a sticker that said "Canada or bust," so I looked at Allie and blurted, "Canada."
Now it was her turn to look taken aback. "Canada?"
Nodding, I heard Mr. Lee’s voice come over the intercom telling everyone the park was closing. Allie, who still had to shut down her roller coaster, opened her mouth then closed it.
"Okay," were her final words on the subject. As she walked off, I realized I still didn’t know what a ‘date’ was.
Once the park closed and the last of the employees headed home I emerged from my hiding place behind the Spinning Tops and walked over to the Looking Up At The Stars ride.
I always found it easier to just live in that park. At night I would leave it to get food, then do the same in the morning, arriving a few minutes before my shift to make it seem like I was actually coming from a home.
The air was crisp and it chilled my skin as my cooler began to warm my insides. The night sky seemed cloudy and gray, but it was a wonderful shade of gray. Or shades I should say. Each one lighter than the next, all swirled and twisted together into a fluffy clouds and rays of moonlight. A star or two peeked out from behind the clouds and winked at me, reminding me that I would be returning home soon.
I pulled out my C-Orb and activated it, dropping it front of me. A C-Orb makes it where I can make contact with Taurns. Only Emperors, Empresses, and their loyal advisors can use one.
As it bounced off the hard asphalt a light blue color surrounded the white ball and they both intermix. Soon they twisted into what looks like a strand of human DNA then flattened out into a snowy ice panel and lifts itself to my level.
The screen flickered to life as I placed my hand on the desired area and a shot of electricity leaves the screen, encircles my life supply ring, then returns to the screen. I pulled my arm back and stood firmly as Emperor Ruki’s dark inky face appeared on the floating screen.
"Empress," his deep voice boomed.
"Emperor," I replied, my voice monotone and sharp. With him I couldn’t show a weakness. I couldn’t cringe at his words. I couldn’t do anything except stand there like an empty shell. No emotion, no fear, nothing.
"Status report."
I took a deep breath before spilling everything he would want to hear.
"I found five workers who will return with me. Three of them work daily on the technological advances of this planet while the other two work on smaller machines, but they will still be of use to us."
He nodded. "Have you told them our intentions?"
I shook my head. "They do not realize that there are other worlds beside their own. They believe they are alone in this universe. For what they know about engineering and technology, they lack in cosmic science. It’s actually quite disheartening."
"How do you intend to get them to come then?"
Taking a another deep breath I explained. "All I have to do is get them into a secluded area, I’ll send the coordinates after this transmission, then there’s a gas I learned about that I can release and it’ll cause them to become unconscious. Then we just load them up in one of our Kuukan Tobus and fly them home. Simple."
"So when are you telling them about their mission? You seemed to have forgotten that part," Emperor Ruki snapped, his lavender eyes growing into the color of plums. His short, receding, silver hairline seemed frazzled. I couldn’t help but wonder how much of his life supply was left.
"I’ll explain some when I gather them tomorrow night, but I think we should wait to go into complete detail until they arrive on Taurns. Humans are known to panic and revolt, and well, I’m sure if I told them here on Earth," I trailed off. My mind flashed to being attacked by my co-workers. Any previous friendship I shared with any of them would be destroyed as their natural instincts kicked in.
"We should wait till they get to Taurns to fully explain what’s expected of them," I finish. My eyes re-locked with his and I saw them return to their normal color. Relief washed over me.
Emperor Ruki isn’t a pleasant person when his eyes darken. He’s ruthless, manipulative, cunning, and cruel. He hasn’t done much to save the Lutain crystals except send me away, which my most trusted advisor, and best friend, Shinyuu believes to be a conspiracy. She thinks the Taurns people can solve their own problems, Emperor Ruki just wanted me gone so he can rule longer, because I have completed all of my training. Then there’s also the fact that I turn to be eighteen human years in a matter of days when I get the throne.
"He just wants you gone so you’ll miss your Induction Day, or the people will get so weak, that he’ll convince you that he should remain in power. Kuroi, you can’t leave. Just send a warrior. They can do the same job and they’re not royalty," she had said all those days ago.
"Shinyuu," I laughed, "it’s my job at the empress to protect our planet. I should be the one to go."
Her golden eyes had lost their shine when I told her that and her normally straight golden hair seemed to gain a few waves.
"What is it?" I asked, pressing my Life Circle against her’s, fearing her life supply had already drained. I felt myself grow weaker as she grew stronger. This is a little trick I learned out in the Taurns streets. I saw an old man give his spouse the last of his life supply just so she could see one more star filled sky.
Shinyuu pushed my hand away from her’s, "Don’t do that. My life supply is fine, and you’re going to need all of your’s if you’re really going to leave."
"I have to leave," I whispered. "It’s my duty to you and everyone else."
And then to my complete displeasure, she shook her head and left without another word. She didn’t even show up to my departure. I missed her so much.
"Well then send the coordinates and I’ll handle the rest," emperor Ruki said, bringing me back from the past.
I nodded and waved my hand in front of the screen, making it close and retract back into it’s little ball. Stuffing it in my pocket, I pulled out the CT and typed in the coordinates of the Looking Up At The Stars ride.
The CT transformed into a star and shot from my hands into the sky, leaving a brilliant white tail behind for all this world to see.

Universal Ride *Chapter 3*

Chapter 3

Briella

       I was behind the grill now of Boo’s Burger- this time me being the one flipping the burgers and frying up the French fries and Dylan working up front at the cash register. The knot of my apron loosened and I sighed, wiping the sweat from my forehead. I always hated working behind the grill in the summer time- the steam rising up from the grill doesn’t help me cool off one bit from the already excruciatingly hot weather. I paused for a moment, putting my spatula down and making a double knot on my apron. It’s going to be hell untying it, considering it’s already out of my reach, but at this point I didn’t care. I just wanted to quickly switch job positions with Dylan already.

Whenever we work at Boo’s Burgers together we take turns at each other’s positions for thirty minutes. As I look down at my watch, fifteen has already passed by. Just fifteen more to go…

“What can I get for you?” I heard Dylan ask and I turned around to hear what the customer’s response would be.

Instead of a customer I find a Long Drop employee- the one I noticed before, working at Looking Up At The Stars. Now that I got a closer look at her, I understood the exchanged whispers between child and mother around her. She had curly hair the color of coin- shiny, beautiful silver. Her eyes were just as strange and lovely, being a lavender shade that I thought only the skin of a flower could adorn. Her skin was a light black- almost like the color of caramel. Once again, I couldn’t help but stare at her. Even Dylan seemed entranced by her strange beauty. Soon she spoke, bringing us back to reality.

“Uh,” she said, pausing and looking a bit confused. “A ham-bur-ger-” she decided on, pronouncing it with clarity. I watched as Dylan licked his lips and ruffled his hair.

“Anything on that hamburger?” he asked, stretching himself a bit ahead of the counter. We both awaited her answer in anticipation. It was like watching a newborn take its first step. She paused once more, before speaking up again.

“Mus-tah-ard?” but it was more of a question then a statement. I could feel my own eyebrows knit together at the request. Dylan however, turned around and faced me.

“Did you get that?” he hollered, even though we were only a few inches away from each other. My eyebrows were still grown together and I had a questioning look upon my face. Dylan shrugged his shoulders though and I knew that if the girl wasn’t there, he would be saying, “Everyone has their weird habits.” He was just that type of guy. So I shrugged my shoulder as well and got working on the burger. As they waited, I could hear Dylan make small chat with the girl. He was also that type of guy- the friendly guy who makes small talk with everyone. I listened intently at the conversation being started by Dylan, not really paying too much attention to the burger I was grilling.

“So you’re new here?” Dylan questioned, and I knew Dylan so well that I could tell he had folded his hands together and was resting his head on it. I took a quick peek behind my shoulder to see Dylan doing just that. I caught the girl nodding her head and before she could see me staring at them I turned back to the grill.

“I’ve been working the yogurt stand for two weeks. I just moved here from…” she trailed off from her sentence and looking back I could see her casting her face away. Quickly filling in the unfinished sentence, she cheerfully said,

“What about you?” Dylan cleared his throat and untangled his fingers that were laced together.

“I’ve been working here for a year now, but I don’t have a specific job here. No one really does. Mr. Lee switches everyone’s station. Anyway, I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. I’m Dylan.” Being the gentleman he was, I watched him extend his hand out of the corner of my eye.  The girl shook Dylan’s hand and said,

“Oh! There was some human girl looking for you earlier!” She bit her lip and looked away again. “She seemed unhappy.”

Soon I realized that I was still grilling the burger. When I turned around again, I find the steam rising quickly and the burger burnt black. I cursed beneath my breath, took the burger off the stove with my spatula and threw it out. Putting another burger onto the grill, I quickly cooked this one up. I squirted mustard onto the burger itself before slipping it beneath the two sesame seed buns and bringing it up to the counter. I handed the girl her burger, casting her a curious look.

“Order up,” I said in a monotone voice. It seemed as though I saved Dylan the trouble of explaining the situation between him and Layla. “I’m Briella,” I introduced myself, not extending my hand however. “And you?” She opened her mouth, before sputtering out her name.

“Kur- uh, Wendy.” She took the bag from my grasp and said, “So you work the-” pause. “Grill?” I nodded my head and responded,

“And you seem to like adding a question mark after every sentence,” I took notice of. Dylan elbowed me in the stomach and I looked up at him, wide eyed. I pulled on my most innocent face and Dylan rolled his eyes at me.

Wendy widened her own lavender colored eyes, for a brief moment looking scared.         

“I’m not from around here. You use different terms.” She flipped her silver hair behind her, reminding me of those annoying cheerleaders who always flicked their hair in class when bored. “But I’ll get used to it,” she added, her tone coming off fierce, almost rude. I bit my tongue from saying something snarky back, and I could feel Dylan pinching my elbow, taming me as well. He knows how I can get sometimes.

“Yeah, maybe,” was all I said in response. She smiled- and for some reason I thought of it as bitter sweet.

“If not, maybe you can get used to me and my ways.” She faced Dylan then. “Have a nice day.” And before leaving us, she looked at me and said, “Don’t burn yourself.”

I bit my tongue, my teeth pressing harder and harder into it until finally, I could taste blood. Dylan was still pinching my elbow and despite my squirms and mumbled curse words, he didn’t let go until Wendy was out of sight.

“What’s her problem?” I asked, as I placed my hands behind my back and tried to untie my apron. The knot had gotten tighter somehow and my fingers fumbled as the knot wouldn’t budge.

Dylan came up behind me, so close that I could hear him breathing softly, his breath hovering just above my ear. “Need help?” he asked me, his voice ringing right into my ear. I nodded my head as I heard my own heart pound against my chest. His long, thin fingers worked on the knot. He wasn’t fast enough, but I had a feeling he was taking his own time. “You know, maybe you should be a bit nicer to people,” Dylan suggested. I shook my head, tendrils of my black hair escaping and falling in front of my face.

“I’m nice,” I said, hearing the doubt in my own voice. Dylan chuckled beneath his breath and shook his head.

“Only to me,” he whispered, finally freeing me from the apron. I reached behind me to find that he was still standing there. My hand softly brushed his stomach and he reaches down and catches it, spinning me around to face him. “Play nice, okay?”

The thing is- I don’t trust people easily. Sometimes I just don’t trust people at all. I’ve been losing faith in humanity these days. It may be because of the horrible acts of crime that appears on the daily news every day. It may be because every person I know had somewhat disappointed me. Everyone that is, but Dylan. As he holds my hand now and forces me to look into his eyes, I can’t help but nod.

“I’ll play nice.”

                                                *****

Work ended too late- ten thirty instead of ten. Mr. Lee came by Boo’s Burgers and ordered for me to clean the stand and close it up. Dylan stayed behind with me as well as Evan and Matt.  It took us about twenty minutes to clean everything up and then close it. We mainly goofed around the whole time, not wanting to go home just yet. I tossed the last spoiled hamburger into the tin trash can and then rubbed my hands together.

“You have a ride home?” Evan asked me, reaching inside his pocket and twirling the keys around with one stubby, chunky finger. I bit my lip and looked down at my converse sneakers. Allie was supposed to take me home, but I called her to tell her to go on ahead without me. So she did. I shook my head no and cursed beneath my breath.

“You can drive me, right?” I asked, looking up at Evan. He cocked his head to the side in faux-thought, tapping his foot annoyingly.

“I don’t know…” he said, trailing off. I punched him in the arm and he laughed. “I’m not even going home yet.” My eyebrows furrowed together at that statement. It was ten thirty on a Tuesday, where did Evan have to go at a time like this?

“Have a hot date?” I joked. Matt laughed and I looked at him, his shoulders shaking with laughter at the thought of Evan actually going out with a girl. Evan frowned, still playing with his car keys.

“No- I’m going to a party,” he stated, mater-of-factly. I whistled, Matt was still chuckling and Dylan ran his fingers through his hair.

“Whose party?” Dylan asked curiously, his fingers still running through his glossy locks. His ponytail had come loose and he had the rubber band used to hold back his hair around his wrist. I wondered how it was possible for a boy to have glossier hair then my own. I made a note-to-self to ask Dylan what shampoo he uses.

“Susan O’Neil’s,” Evan said, and immediately a picture of the girl had popped into my head. She was in a couple of my classes, but we never talked before. She was always that obnoxious girl who speaks too loudly and laughs too much at her own jokes. I tend to steer away from her.

“Ugh, that annoying bitch?” Matt groaned, kicking his shoe against the dirt. Evan’s frown deepened and he flicked Matt.

“Shut up. It’s not like you have to go Matt.” Matt crinkled his nose, swatting Evan’s fingers away. He shook his head and said,

“Who else do you think is going to drive your drunken ass home?” Dylan paused to think about this.

“You’re right. So we’ll all go?” We nodded our head- we’ll all go. 

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

EiT (Empress in Training) Kuroi Uchuujin of Taurns
"If you're a strong female, you don't need permission."

I don’t understand these creatures. I’ve been here for weeks now, but I’m still at a lost for these beings capacity to change themselves, physically and mentally, for the pleasure of others. They shed their birth appearance, dying their hair, hiding their eyes under contacts, all to "fit in" or "stand out" as they put it. Why someone would change themselves is beyond my concepcion.
Even though it’s my duty to blend in with these humans, I haven’t changed much of my appearance, only hiding my obvious Taurnsian staples and accenting any humanoid features my anatomy possesses.
Although, sometimes I wonder if I could have done something more to blend in, but I couldn’t bare to disguise my natural features. My shiny silver hair that fell in perfect curls everyday caught the eyes of everyone, then once their eyes were on me, the next thing they noticed were my lavender eyes that spiraled around my navy pupils like the creamy yogurt I sold at the amusement park, Long Drop.
Yes, it was while I stood behind that small cart full of plum and strawberry yogurt in the middle of Long Drop, the most technical wonder I’ve ever seen, that I received the most comments on my appearance. Many people believed I wore a wig or contacts, but how could humans actually conceive the fact that I was who I was.
My eyes and my hair make me royalty on my home planet of Taurns. It’s a different process then what I’ve learned here on Earth. Our rulers are not voted into power, nor born into a certain family. They’re just born. The stars bless a child every fifty Earth years or so with the silver locks of an exploding star, and the lavender eyes of Venus. That child, whether male or female enters training to rule Taurns. I am to be Empress Kuroi Uchuujin.
Unfortunately for me, my training will be the most intense of any past ruler’s. Mine training, involves me saving my planet. Late last year, our life source, the Lutian Crystal burned out, and as Empress in Training, I was sent across the universe to find another source of life. I only have roughly three months to find technical engineers who can return home with me and build a life support system. Fortunately for me, I landed here on Earth right next to Long Drop, the most technical advance place I’ve ever seen.
As I walked over to yogurt cart, I slipped on my fingerless gloves and pulled at my teal long sleeve. It was burning hot by the Earthling’s complaints, but within my core lays my Cooler which regulates my body temperature no matter the heat or freeze I’m living in. Running my finger over the part of my thumb hidden under my black gloves, I could feel my own life source draining.
It’s a lovely contrast to my caramel skin tone, which I was happy to see some humans sport. The cream ring, I mean. Underneath my gloves, circling both my thumbs, is my cream-colored ring. Connected to those rings were lines like the tail of a comet traveling up my covered arms and conjoining right along my spine. This is my life source. It connects to all of my nerves, every Taurnsian has one.
They’re why I have to this planet’s best engineers.
I walked over to my cart like I did everyday, but this time, Mr. Lee, my boss, came over to me.
"Wendy," he said to me, using my human name. I got the name from the place I had my first Earth meal from. The place I believe is classified as "Fast Food."
"Sir?"
"I’m going to have you work over on the Looking Up At The Stars ride today," he began, taking my shoulder and guiding me away from my cart.
"A ride?" I asked. "I’ve never worked on a ride."
He nodded, but kept walking me toward the ride. "All you have to do is let the kids in and tell their mothers to wait for them on the left."
Fear settled into my mind. "But what if they’re with their fathers? Or siblings? Or Gorgans?"
We stopped walking and he looked at me. "Gorgans?"
I froze. A Gorgan is considered a parent of a parent. I racked my mind for the term humans used for Gorgans.
"Grandparents," I blurted.
Chuckling, he set me next to the entrance of Looking Up At The Stars and patted my head. "Any adult they are with, you direct over to the left, the exit. Anymore questions?"
I shook my head. This ride wasn’t anything as spectacular as the roller coaster on the other side of the park, but I’m sure the person who created this ride could easily save my planet.
Looking Up At The Stars consisted of the children sitting in a cart and being drove around by a computer on a metal track, looking up at man-made constellations, planets, and galaxies. I was disappointed when I first rode it, trying to subside some homesickness, because I had seen the real thing, and this was nothing but lights. They don’t even compare to the real thing.
A line began to form, snapping me out of my thoughts of the real stars in the sky. I smiled at the kids who seemed scared by me.
"Mommy," I heard one boy whisper, "What’s wrong with her hair?"
The mom quickly shushed the boy. I just smiled and directed her to the left and allowed the boy into the fake universe.
As the line grew shorter, I glanced up at the park and saw the food girl walking around. I never learned her name or ever spoken to her, but I knew she worked at all of our food stands. I wanted to wave, but a another girl, about 17 Earth years walked up to me and blocked my view.
"Where’s Dylan?" She asked. Actually, it was a demand, not a question.
"Who?" I asked.
She scoffed at me. "He works here!"
I shrugged. "I don’t know many of my co-workers."
Her hands curled into fists and I thought she was going to hit me, which would be bad on her part considering a ruler has to go through warrior training, but she didn’t. Instead she turned and stomped off.
The next person in line, a boy about 18 Earth years and dazzling greens eyes, stepped up with the hand of his little sister and flashed me a big smile.
If I could have, I would have melted. I don’t think I’ve ever received a plain old human smile from a boy who wasn’t making fun of my looks.
"Go right in Star Dust," said to the little girl. To her brother I said, "If you could wait over by the exit, that would be Bossa Nova."
"Bossa Nova?" He questioned, stepping to the left, but only a few inches. The veins under my cheeks disconnected with my internal Cooler and began to feel the heat of the day.
"Just an old saying of mine," I admitted sheepishly. And it is. Something my Gorgans and their Gorgans have said since the beginning of my world.
"It’s cute," he commented, then he did something I’ve only permitted my boss to do.
He touched me.
No one touches an Empress.
I sucked in large breath of oxygen as he ran his fingers through my other worldly hair.
"I love the color of your hair," he added. Then his touch left my skin and a chill washed over me as my internal Cooler kicked back into gear. He turned away and collected his sister and then disappeared into the crowd.
Too bad an Empress didn’t find love.
I didn’t allow myself to think of the human boy anymore. Instead, I focused on all the other little Star Dusts and their guardians.
"Your eyes are gorgeous," one little girl told me after I directed her mom to the side.
"Thank you," I replied as she disappeared.
"She isn’t lying," another voice told me. Although this one I knew.
I looked up to the roller coaster operator, Allie.
"Allie! How are you, Comet Tail?" I asked, happy to see one of the people who would be returning with me to Taurns to save my planet. I haven’t told her yet, but as an Empress, she couldn’t refuse.
"I’m fine Wendy. How about you, moving up from yogurt expert to line mogul?" She replied. There was a soft place in my heart for Allie. She was a strong female who had been through the worst a human life can dish out, but somehow she’s alright. I respect her more than some of my advisors back on Taurns.
"It’s different," I said.
"Well, to be fair, you’re pretty different," she countered.
I finger-combed my perfect hair and ran my finger around my thumb’s circle, feeling my life in one swipe.
"This is very true," I laughed.
"Allie!" Mr. Lee shouted, walking briskly over to us. "Get back to work!"
I cringed. I hated seeing Allie get in trouble.
"I’m on my break," she retorted, never backing down, especially in the face of a male.
Mr. Lee jabbed a finger in my side and growled, "She isn’t. Now go!"
And with a roll of her eyes and a quick good-bye, Allie turned on her heel and walked away.
I turned my attention to the line and resumed my job. Mr. Lee glared at me, but turned and stormed off. I shook my head at his ridiculousness and looked over to the food stalls.
My Cooler growled, also being what humans refer to as a stomach, it was empty. I waved over Evan, the only guy who’s name I knew.
"Can you take over for me, I need my break," I said in my sweetest tone.
He sighed. He was drenched in liquids. "Yeah, no problem."
"Bossa Nova Comet Tail!" I sang, stepping toward the food area.
"I really wish I knew what that meant," he shot back. All I did was smile and wave my gloved hand.
Evan and his friend would also be joining Allie in the attempt to save my planet. And as I turned toward Boo’s Burgers, I saw the food girl and the cook boy.
I decided I might as well try and make friends with them, they could be useful, so I fluffed my already fluffy hair and strolled over to the counter.

Universal Ride *Chapter 1*

Chapter 1

Briella

       Amusement parks- there is something about the stale popcorn, sugary cotton candy, overpriced game stands and old rickety rides that make my heart drop down to my stomach. I love the way the children’s screams from rollercoaster rides older than their parents, echo throughout the whole entire park. I love the way the smell of cooking rubbery hot dogs waft through the air and makes its way through my nostrils. I love the way the ground is littered with bits and pieces of memories- abandoned stuffed animals, crumpled up hot dog wax, ice cream cones, pictures taken from Dare To Twist rollercoaster.

            As I walk through the crowded boardwalk of Long Drop Amusement Park, I took notice of everything; the children clutching onto their mothers hands, teenage couples walking and holding hands in a much more intimate way. I passed by the clown’s area- and waved to Kirby.

            “Hey,” I said with a small smirk. Kirby looked up from the child he was talking to, and squeezed his big red nose.

            “Hello Briella,” Kirby said in a fake chirpy voice. I smirked once more, knowing just how much Kirby hated his job. He’s been working here at Long Drop for 10 years now. He welcomed me onto the staff of Long Drop with open arms, guiding me and teaching me the ways of the park. Now I’m just as experienced as him, working at the concession stands (a different one everyday) for about a year every summer. I began walking backwards, wiggling my fingers at Kirby.

            “Catch ya later Kirby,” I called out, before turning around and making my way to the concession stand I was assigned for today (Boo’s Burgers). Reaching the small stand, I weaved my way to the back where Dylan was, already grilling up some burgers. I tied a grease stained apron around my small waist and pulled my hair up in a tight bun- time for another day at work.

            I stood by the cash register, resting my elbow onto the counter and my head onto my palm. I could hear the sizzle of the burger meeting the steaming hot grill. Dylan was whistling a soft tune, while tapping his foot against the floor. It was a slow day today- a boiling hot summer Tuesday (a Tuesday, most likely being spent inside with the air conditioning on by families everywhere). However, there were families bored and stupid enough to come out to Long Drop with their children in the 90 degree weather. A mother with three whining children came up to the stand and ordered three cheese burgers, cokes and small fries.  

            “You got that Dyl?”I called out from behind me, while adding up the prices of the greasy food on the cash register.

            “Mhm,” Dylan said, and I could already hear him working on that order.

            “That’ll be thirty five fifty, ma’am,” I said, as Dylan came up behind me and placed the order on the counter for the women to take. I watched as the mother struggled to pull out her leather wallet from her large Gucci bag. One of her children pulled restlessly at her dress, whining for the food the toddler was unable to reach from the counter. The mother chastised the child, pulled out her wallet and handed me two twenty’s. I handed her change and watched as she took the tray of food and drinks, struggling to keep everything in her arms. Mumbling a quick, “Thanks, have a good day” beneath her breath, she left.

            The next two hours was pretty much the same- mothers buying food for their children, who all seemed to be the same as well (whining and annoying). When it finally came to my break, I sighed with relief. I turned the little ‘Open’ sign swinging from the stand to ‘Closed’, and pulled myself on top of the counter.           

            Dylan poked my shoulder and said, “The usual?” I nodded my head, turning around a bit to watch Dylan cook my lunch. He was a year older than me (17) and had narrow shoulders, high cheekbones, and long, black hair that was always pulled back in a short ponytail. His eyes were almond shaped and the color of melted chocolate, his body nice and defined. Across his cheek he sported a scar, long and jagged. Every time I ask him about it, he shakes his head and changes the subject. He’s been working here at Long Drop as long as me, us starting out as newbie’s together. We became close throughout our one year of working together over the summer. I guess I’d consider him as my best friend- but then again, he was practically my only friend.  Unless you count Matt and Evan- then I guess he isn’t my only friend. Just the closet one I’ve ever had.

As he came back and handed me my cheese and bacon burger with fries and a chocolate milkshake, he sat down next to me on the counter.

            I grabbed the tray from him and steadied it onto my thighs. Grabbing the burger, I took a huge bite, chewing cautiously. Dylan laughed at me, wiping away the ketchup dribbling from the corner of my mouth and licking it off his own finger. He stole a couple of French fries from me, popping it in his mouth and showing me the aftermath of him chewing on them for a good minute. I crinkled my nose, laughed, and threw a couple of fries at him.

            “Nasty Dyl,” I said, taking yet another bite from my burger.

             A peaceful silence settled between us. We allowed our ears to open up a bit- listening to the soft hum of the radio behind us playing country music, listening to the shrieks and screams all around us, the whines and cries from stubborn children.  I looked back at Dylan, and slowly raised my hand to his cheek. My fingers grazed the rough surface of Dylan’s scar, tracing it over and over again. He flinched almost immediately, grabbing hand tightly and slowly placing it back in my lap.

            “Don’t do that Brie,” he said gently. This time I didn’t have the guts to look up at him. Instead I looked down at my half eaten meal, my stomach turning at the thought of finishing it.

            “Have the rest,” I said, passing up the tray to him. He reluctantly took it, taking an enormous bite from the burger himself. I bit my lip and looked straight ahead at all of the old, decaying rides.

            All of the sudden my view of the park was blocked by two teenage boys- Matt and Evan.

            I couldn’t help but let out a bark of laughter as I took in the two boys, completely drenched in water. I nudged Dylan, who looked up and took in the boys himself. He chuckled, slapping the counter with one hand.

            “I’m guessing you guys had your turn at the Super Soaker?” I asked with a small giggle. Matt pulled a face and Evan sighed heavily, both boys helping themselves to the tray of food now resting on Dylan’s kneecap.

            “It sounded fun at first, but who knew three year olds could throw that well?” Matt said through a mouthful of French fries, ruffling his wet hair. Evan nodded in agreement, grabbing some fries himself.

            “I swear kids are growing stronger by the day. Either that or they have really good steroid dealers,” Evan added in, shifting his weight from one foot to another. We all laughed and I took in the boys once more. Matt was tall and lanky, with a bad case of freckles and a mop of strawberry blonde hair. His nose is crooked, as if someone had just threw a punch at him.  He wore the same orange converse sneakers every day, no matter what and the same unicorn band bracelet choked his skinny arm. He was the brain of the group, heading off to college and bigger and better things then Long Drop. As for Evan, he was the complete opposite. Short and overweight, Evan has a very low self conscious. He has short cropped brown hair and these gorgeous green eyes you can get lost in. It’s his great sense of humor that makes up for his obnoxious ways and stupidity.  Both boys are Dylan’s age and both boys were his best friend’s way before Long Drop. I loved these boys as if they were my own brothers, which they have sort of grown to become throughout our year of working together.

            “Layla stopped by today, Dyl,” Matt mentioned, sitting down on the counter beside me. I raised my eyebrows at the mention of Layla, Dylan’s recent ex-girlfriend. Dylan shrugged his shoulders, throwing the scraps of food left into the garbage pail behind the counter.

            “What did she want?” he asked curiously, wiping his hands together and licking his bottom lip. Matt put his finger to his lip and thought for a few seconds.

            “She said she wanted to ‘talk’ to you,” he recalled back, rolling his eyes. “Women,” he scoffed.

            I punched Matt in the arm playfully. “Not all girls are crazy obsessive like that,” I reminded him. Matt raised his eyebrows and looked back and forth between Evan and Dylan, as if to say “Yeah right.” I shook my head and jumped down from the counter.

            “Where are you going?” Evan asked, jumping in my spot and taking the opportunity to sit down.

            “Around…” I responded, not really knowing the answer myself. I had about fifteen minutes before my break was over, so I slowly began to walk away. “I’ll be back,” I added, but the boys were already turned to one another, speaking of how mentally insane girls are. I laughed, shaking my head and walked through Long Drop some more.

             I passed Dare To Twist rollercoaster, the newest addition to Long Drop (meaning it’s about five years old). Children were lined up, hoping they were tall enough to ride the feisty rollercoaster. Allie (a twenty three old high school dropout) was working on the ride today. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a loose ponytail and her bright blue eyes were droopy, with puffy bags beneath them. Kirby tells me Allie grew up too fast- getting pregnant at eighteen and having to give her life up for the baby. Her mother died just a year later, leaving her alone with her alcoholic father. I liked Allie- she was nice, had a great sense of humor and acted like that cool older sister every girl wish they had. Sometimes though, I’d catch her in the middle of a conversation, slowly looking straight ahead at nothing in particular. I would watch her, wondering what on earth could be running through her mind. But just as quick as she left reality, she snapped right back into it.

            She looked up and our eyes met. Something passed over her face, something unreadable. But it passed quickly and soon she was waving slightly and giving me a tired smile. I saluted her and began walking some more. I passed Looking Up At The Stars, a spaceship ride I never really got the full 411 about. Little boys held their mothers hands as they jumped up and down in anticipation for the ride to begin. They had glow and the dark star pins and silver antenna’s attached onto their tufts of hair.

            A girl, who I never really talked to before, so therefore I don’t know the name of, was standing by the waiting line. She was allowing the little boys inside the ride, telling the mothers to wait here for them. I stood there for a moment, looking at her. How is it that I’ve been working here for a year, yet I don’t recognize her? I bit my lip, casted one more glance, before walking away. Maybe she was new, I told myself. Maybe every time I passed by Looking Up At The Stars, it wasn’t her shift.

            For some reason, this was irking me; crawling beneath my skin. I shuddered and began walking back to Boo’s Burgers. My break was practically over and soon I’ll have to resume my apron and hear the orders of tired mothers.

            Yep- it’s just another day at the job.

Universal Ride *Intro*

Hello people of the Universal Internet =) Talia here- this is a blog in which Arianna and I will post our chapters for our collab story, "Universal Ride". It'll be an epic story of Aliens. Something new for me. We hope you enjoy our story- we know we'll enjoy writing it together. So sit back, put your seat belt on and ride along with us through our journey of awesomeness.