I jolted awake, glancing around nervously. What in the world was that dream? It was a dream right? I could almost feel myself sweating and my hands shaking. That was too real to have been a dream. I continued to look at the bleak break room. The ordinariness of this cursed place seemed to calm me down with its mediocrity. A feeling washed over me making me chuckle to myself. I really need a day off…

My lunch came and went by too quickly and I barely had anything to eat. I just couldn’t get that dream out of my head. The distractions of my mind made the endless sludge of work somewhat doable though. I mindlessly organized the cases of packaged products and labeled them to their recipients before sending them on a conveyor to be wrapped and put onto pallets. The ambient noise of machines and the lack of people made me antisocial and boring. I find myself picking up extra hours at work to save without direction. I have no need for excess funds, I don’t do anything but work. My purpose has no reasoning… but what about that dream? Becoming a Star? I am so confused. They say that dreams have meaning but what in the world could this mean?

The day continued to drag on and on. The monotony of my work leaves much to be desired. Everyday, sometimes six or seven times a day for upwards of fourteen hours, I simply look at the computer, check out what is needed, package it, and send it on its way. It pays just above minimum wage and a few raises over my time here has at least given me ample income. If I ever decide to do something with myself, I will have the money to at least try. I always elude the prospect of my future though. Since my parents passed away and my home was taken by the bank, I have lived in a shoddy small one bedroom apartment alone. There does not seem to be an end to my own personal suffering. The world itself seems broken. So much untold tension and strife is plaguing everything, I find it intoxicating to even leave my apartment.

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I place the last label on my box and give it a harsh push down the conveyor before logging out. Another day done, and another day waits for me to plop myself in this very chair and fulfill another couple dozen orders. I groggily take my coat and satchel from my locker and head home. The only perk to being in this apartment complex is it is less than a mile away. I take a small shortcut through a small wooded area and am home in less than ten minutes. No car or bike, so my legs will have to do it.

I open the hall door and make my way all the way to the top and to the very back. The wooden stairs creaking all the while and the patched holes and cracked glass showing the real decreptant place I live. I fumble for my keys as the night's cold is making my fingers numb. I am able to get the key into the hole and enter my dark and cool home. I set my satchel on the stand by the door and kick my shoes off before heading to my couch and just sitting there.

The world completely collapsing around me? Becoming a Star? I began to wonder if becoming a Star means I would die soon. In an earthquake or something? It would make sense as I am on the top floor. But that really doesn’t make sense since it seemed to happen at my workplace, which is a super thick cement and concrete structure. Also when is the last time an earthquake even happened in my state? I leaned by, feeling the springs of the worn couch bite into my back. I didn’t feel tired, but I needed to dream again. I need answers. What was it I saw? No way it was a premonition? Do I go and see a psychic or something? I opened my eyes to stare into the darkness of my living room. I really need some answers. One way or another, only time will give me what I seek. I glance to my side and out the window at the sky.

Maybe the Stars are the answer?