Wishing Upon A Shooting Star

1

REI SAW A shooting star streaking across the night sky.

The little girl had stayed up late every night, sitting atop the broken roof full of holes, waiting for this exact moment. If she made her wish upon a shooting star, it would come true. Everything would be better then.

‘I-I wish—’

As suddenly as it had appeared, the shooting star faded into the black.

Rei had failed to make her wish.

She could have made it—if only she was faster.

… I’ll be quicker next time, she thought, overcoming the regret.

*

RING! RING! RING!...

The school bell rang, a disturbing noise that always brought surprise, akin to the scratching on a chalkboard for Rei: one that made her stand on the edge of her toe.

She covered her yawn with her hand, eyes teary and dark because she had stayed up late for the shooting star. Tidying the textbooks on her table, she wondered what lesson was to follow; about to prepare, but saw her classmates bringing up their lunchbox.

Math lesson has passed? Rie wondered.

If it was lunch break, that meant math lessons did. Meaning—she had fallen asleep during class! If the math teacher was to report this to her mother, she would be in so much trouble…

Rei could see her classmates forming into groups, combining their tables and chairs to eat together. Each and every one inside class had a place where they belong, except Rei. She couldn’t help but sigh as she brought up her lunch: plain bread crusts; and ate on her own.

Due to family circumstances, she had entered school late and missed the chance to mingle with her classmates. Not to mention, because of how she looked—and certain reputations that her father had—many were scared to approach her. That would be part reason as to why her math teacher didn’t wake her up.

Chewing on her bread crusts, she found the jolly air inside the classroom suffocating.

I don’t belong here. She couldn’t help but think.

She grabbed her lunch and left the classroom. If the roof was open, she would eat there. If not, the restroom stall was alright.

*

On most days Rei could get the keys and the roof was open, on some days that wouldn’t be the case and she would retreat to the restroom. This day was some days.

When it came to school restrooms, her choice would be one at the far-end of the 3rd floor. Girls rarely came there—as it was furthest—and therefore resulting in the cleanest and most isolated restroom. A fact which most knew but stayed away from because of haunting rumors.

Splash!

Outside the restroom, Rei could hear water hitting the floor; followed by cunning laughter inside. Her hand touched the cold metal handle and she hesitated to push the door open. She closed her eyes, considering to find another place, but she entered the restroom.

Not counting Rei, there were four girls inside. Three dry bullies—one holding an empty bucket once filled—and one soaked victim. One of the bullies, who stood in the center and had blond hair, whom Rei assumed to be the leader, stared at her.

‘Want to join along?’ she offered with a wicked smile.

Rei remained quiet and maintained her eye contact.

The wickedness slowly fainted from her lips. Rei’s glare gave that effect to almost everyone.

‘… We’re leaving,’ she said, then went past Rei in a pompous gait. The other two followed along helter-skelter, leaving only Rei and the victim inside the restroom.

The girl was dripping wet, and her black hair covered her face.

Rei stretched her hand toward the girl. Words were at the edge of her lips, refusing to leave.

The girl recoiled and slapped Rei’s hand away. From the gap of her hair, she could see her eyes shivering with fear. Then she ran out of the restroom.

There was a broad mirror above the three basins. Reflected in it was a girl who had wished upon a star, standing in solitude.

She was alone.

*

As the sky turned golden, Rei continued walking home by passing through a pathway untrodden by many. One which had rocks for grounds—made her steps crunch—and trash bags cluttered every few blocks. The whispers of the wind only added to the silence:

Whirl…

She walked with her head down, trying to spot rocks which she could kick.

When she did, the rock would roll and clatter.

All just a daily part of her afterschool routine.

*

Rei placed her palm on a cracked wall for support as she stood on one leg, lifting the other behind and taking off her shoe in the entryway. She didn’t announce her being home for two reasons: because she would rather be quiet, and because she could hear her mother shouting furiously against her father.

‘We’re already poor, and you still paid for your colleagues’ dinner?’

‘I need to get on their good side,’ her father defended himself in a low; tired voice.

The shoes Rei took off. The socks she kept on.

The cotton would help silencing her steps as she tiptoed past.

‘You realize that every time you pay more for them, you pay less for--’ she was stopped by the gesture of his palm.

‘Rei, we didn’t hear you back.’

Rei had been spotted. There was no getting around passing the living room without being exposed.

She greeted them with a nod.

Her mother took a breath and regained her composure. She wore a smile as she approached Rei, taking off her backpack. ‘How was your day, dear?’

Silence.

‘You could always tell us about your day, alright?’

‘Vanya,’ her father joined, ‘don’t force her.’

‘Well, I’m sorry for wanting our daughter to talk.’ She rolled her eyes.

‘Should I remind you that you’re the cause for that?’

‘And I want to right my wrongs!’

‘Clearly, you’re only pressuring her!’

The both of them began raising their voices and engaged in a verbal fight. Their anger, which Rei heard, made her tremble. She didn’t like being there when they fought. Since they had forgotten she was there, Rei took her chance and retreated to her room.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

She would cover her ears with a pillow until the aggression would pass.

*

Both the mother and the father always went out for work every night and were always elusive when asked what their jobs were. Rei never knew their occupation, but she could more or less guess.

They left her behind during evening, after dinner, asking her to sleep and wake up early for school, but when they were gone Rei would climb to the rooftop like she was doing now. She went out from her room’s window, stepped on the sill, pulled herself up on the bricks that jutted out slightly, crackle;her foot slipped on a bad brick,but she managed to get herself up onto the roof.

The best spot to look at the starry night.

There, she sat with her knees hugged, looking up toward the sparkles in the vast darkness, searching for a shooting star.

When Rei was younger, when her parents were still on good terms, they had brought her to the roof. Her mother had shown her the stars and taught her what space was; and her father had been the one who told her that if she wished upon a shooting star, a tiny light that moved and left a bright trail, her wish would come true.

Tears coursed down her cheek.

In the back of her mind, she could hear the conflicts. The scream between her parents, each saying words loudly in a manner of rage and fury which were meant to hurt one another. In remembrance, she recalled a pain which startled her, one which came from the swing of an arm.

The girl wiped her tears with the sleeve of her shoulder.

The pain on her cheek, coming from a backhand slap, was vivid in her mind.

It was what I got for meddling, she thought. From trying to speak when I wasn’t supposed to.

*

Yawnnnn~

Rei covered her mouth with her hand, for fear of allowing passage for tiny insects to enter.

She wasn’t sure how much time she had spent on the roof or what hour it was now. What she knew for sure was the number of stars in the sky, as she had counted it whilst waiting for a shooting star to arrive.

No shooting star today, she thought. Her eyelids were closing on their own. I’ll search again tomorr—

The skies above seemed to be pranking her, because right at the time when she was about to call it a day, a shooting star trailed across the black night. Its tail got majesty as it shined, but Rei had no time to admire it. She had to make her wish.

‘I wish for things to change for the better!’

She said it.

She said it before the shooting star lost its light.

Her lips formed a smile. After countless nights she had finally done it!

Now things would change, she thought with joy.

2

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Walking through the school hallway with a pack of bread crusts in her hand, Rei went to the staff room—joy in her steps—to grab the key to the rooftop. However, it seemed that today was again some days. Thus, she changed course and went toward the restroom of the 3rd floor, still retaining merry in her walk.

The classroom remained a stifling atmosphere for her, and it was difficult for her to get used to, but she had made her wish to the shooting star.

Things would change, she convinced herself.

In front of the restroom, Rei could hear voices from inside. Laughter by many, one of which she recognized belong to the blond-haired girl. And a sobbing by one. They were at it again.

Her hand lingered on the restroom’s cold metal handle.

The day before had been nothing short but fortuitous, for the matter was resolved by a glare. Today, however, might not be the same.

The sobbing grew louder.

Rei closed her eyes.

Things would change for the better. She had made that wish. Her intervention this time would be unnecessary; thus, she let go of the door handle, turned deaf ears to the sorrow, and walked away.

*

Rei walked through the rocky road, keeping her head down; not because she was searching for rocks to kick.

The crunch in her steps had more weight than the previous day. Before, she only had a backpack filled with books. Presently, she had a backpack filled with books, and guilt to carry.

The whispers of the wind became sobs in her ears.

Under the blue cloudy skies, Rei kept on walking that solitary path.

*

A palm on the cracked wall for balance, Rei lifted a leg behind and took off her shoe with the other hand. Whenever Rei looked at the wall, it seemed as if there were more cracks with each passing day. The weather was to blame, but at times Rei thought that her parents’ fights were the cause.

‘Again?? I’ve had it with you! I’ve had it! I’ve had it! I’ve had it!’

‘Count it as an investment.’

She could hear their fights in the entryway.

Off with the shoes. But not the socks.

‘You know what, Leon? I want a divorce.’

‘… It seems that we have the same idea.’

Rei’s eyes widened upon hearing them. She knew what divorce meant; and she was stunned in the hallway when the word dropped into the conversation. So stunned was she, that it seemed as if the world had shattered and gone still.

This wasn’t what she wanted. She would protest, but words refused to leave her lips.

The father noticed her. ‘Rei is coming with me.’

The mother too, noticed her. ‘No, she’s coming with me.’

‘With you? Sure, let her live with the person who made her a mute!’

‘It was an accident! At least I will know how to manage finance! Rei will be happier with me!’ She turned and approached her. ‘Isn’t that right, dear?

‘It’s not up for discussion, Vanya. I’m not letting you have her.’

This isn’t supposed to happen, Rei thought as she witnessed the fight between her parents, which was on the brink of being physical. Broken from the petrification by her mother’s loud shout, Rei began trembling, tears began flowing, and she ran into her room.

Inside, she sobbed under the pillow. The cushion did nothing to dampen the sound of rage from outside the room.

Things didn’t change for the better.

*

When the black of night took over the sky; opening the stage for the antagonistic appearances of the stars, Rei couldn’t help but to feel betrayed. Couldn’t help but to feel that she was foolish to trust the stars. Leaning on the windowsill, staring up, she would shed more tears had she more to shed.

It has all been for nothing, she thought.

Those days staying late, counting the stars to pass time, being hopeful that the shooting star would fix everything… It had all amounted to nothing.

Nothing.

3

RING! RING! RING!

The sound of the school bell hurt her ears and shook her head. Rei was woken up from her sleep with an absolutely terrible feeling like never before. The previous night, she couldn’t fall asleep worrying about what would become of her family, and today the tiredness was catching up.

Not to mention, she felt a terrible hunger. She had skipped dinner and hadn’t brought her breadcrust for lunch break. She questioned why she still went to school despite everything; and deep down she knew the answer: she just didn’t want to be home.

Nor did she want to be in the classroom, where jolly chatters and happy atmosphere occurred. Thus, she stood up, and left. To the roof if the key was there, or to the restroom if not.

Please, let the key be there, she hoped.

*

Of course the key wasn’t there; and of course there were laughter and sob in the restroom.

Can things get any worse? Rei thought as she pressed her forehead on the door.

The girl who wished upon a star was no hero; and why should she meddle with other people’s life when hers was crumbling with every passing second? It wasn’t as if she could be of help anyway. No matter what happened, things just—didn’t change.

Yet why was it that this time her hands couldn’t let go of the metal handle?

The sobbing had more sorrow now than before.

If the bullies were to go at Rei, then she stood no chance. Rather than saving the victim, she too could potentially become one because of her unnecessary intervention. However, Rei also knew the truth.

That two days ago she had saved the victim.

That a day before she had turned a deaf ear and left the victim.

That if she were to enter the restroom, though the outcome could be ugly, there was a possibility that she could help. Rei’s life was already in ruin; and doing so would bring more ruin, but…

She pushed the door open.

Not counting Rei there were four girls inside. Three bullies who stood—the blond-haired leader with a scissor in her hand—and a kneeling victim who was having her hair cut.

‘You again…’ said the blond. Sharp scissors in her hand, she approached Rei with an analyzing stare. ‘I expected you to want to join in the fun… but your fist doesn’t seem to agree.’

She stopped right in front of Rei.

‘If you don’t want to join us, why don’t you let yourself ou—’

Perhaps Rei wasn’t in the mood to be civil. Perhaps Rei had herself a pent-up frustration. Perhaps it was both. Regardless of the reason, she headbutted the leader. She had aimed to clash their heads, but height difference came to play and instead Rei crashed the nose.

When the hard and soft clashed, Rei could hear a crack.

The blond-haired leader stumbled and fell to the floor. Blood dripping from her nose. She screamed in pain and then was struck in terror upon looking onto Rei. Immediately, she ran away from the restroom and her two fellows chased her.

Rei was left behind with the victim.

Remembering the last encounter, Rei knew better this time to not approach the victim, lest she wanted to scare her again. She should speak with her, ask if she was alright; as that should be reassuring for her, but she couldn’t speak the words.

Rei picked up the scissor that had been left behind.

Then threw it into the trash bin.

‘S-Sorry,’ the victim said, standing up on shivering legs. ‘I—the last time you saved me, I was too scared and ran away. Even though you were saving me. This time… Thank you.’ She bowed her head.

Rei nodded.

The method was questionable; but, by saving her, Rei believed she had just changed things for the better.

*

Under the golden sky, Rei walked through the rocky path with her head up at the sky. Today her steps were light, and she only realized how beautiful the sky was.

It wasn’t that she was glad to be a hero. It wasn’t that she was glad to have resolved the matter with violence. Rather, she was glad that… she managed to make change for the better. Something that the shooting star had failed.

As if she was tested by fate, a shooting star went across the sky, and she spotted it.

The same shooting star that had betrayed her. That had done nothing.

Still, she made her wish.

‘I… I wish to change,’ she said. Then maybe my world would change along.

Having found her resolve, she decided to run back home.

*

On the entryway, Rei didn’t take off her shoes and dashed toward the living room where her parents were having their loud arguments. They were engaging in a heated verbal fight. Gathering her courage, Rei broke them up with her words.

‘I made my choice!’ she said.

That silenced her parents.

Because she had just spoken, despite having been a mute for long. And because they knew what she meant by having made her choice; and was in the suspense of hearing who she would choose.

‘I want us to continue being a family.’

She had said it.

The girl who wished upon a shooting star was tired waiting for; and decided to make change. Whether this would result into a good or bad outcome, Rei couldn’t tell for sure. But she had no regrets saying what she wanted—what she needed to say.

I’ll no longer stay silent and cry. I’ll give my best to improve my life.

-end