Star

“...Ninety-six... ninety-seven... ninety-eight... ninety-nine... one hundred.” Star put her hair brush down and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She patted her glossy auburn hair and then she climbed into her bed.

She fluffed her pillow and settled down. She waited for the knock on the door. It came.
“Come in.” Star said. The door opened and her Aunt Blossom came in. “Hello Darling.” she said affectionately.

Star beamed at her. She bent down and gave Star a kiss. “Goodnight Sweet.” Aunt Blossom said, looking at Star lovingly. “Goodnight, Aunt Blossom.” Star said, snuggling down under the covers. Aunt Blossom switched off the light and went out quietly. Star smiled and fell fast asleep.

*.*.*.*.*

“Hurry up!” Luke said impatiently. Star ran down the stairs and grabbed her sling bag. “Bye Aunt Blossom!” Luke and Star said in unison. They ran outside and Luke ran over to his motorbike. He fastened on Star’s helmet and then he fastened on his own.

Star wrapped her arms around her brother’s waist, and he rode off. When they arrived at the school, Star hopped off and undid her helmet. She dropped it into Luke’s hands. “Bye!” she shouted before running into the building. Giving a wave, Luke rode off.

Star put on a cheerful smile and walked through the busy hall to her class. Her teacher, Miss Rogers, gave Star a friendly smile. Star returned the smile and went to her desk. It was neat and clean.

Star put her bag on top of it and sat down. Then a note fluttered onto her desk. Someone gasped and Star looked around. Everyone was quiet. Star picked the note up carefully and opened it slowly. Everyone whispered to the person next to them. Star read the note with bated breath.

Hey don't you think Star is a weird girl? I don't like her.
She is such a teachers pet. Yuck.
Did you know she is actually an orphan? Weirdo!
Penny.
P.S. Pass it on!
P.P.S. Don't let Star see this!

Tears filled Stars eyes. She crumpled the note and stuffed it into her pocket. Everyone stared as Star wiped her eyes. “Please turn to page Forty-six.” Miss Rogers said. Every-one gave a sigh of relief and turned back to their books quietly. Star sniffed and opened her book. She couldn’t wait to go home.

*.*.*.*.*

Star lay on her bed, her face bathed in tears and her head throbbing. She remembered what the note said. ‘Did you know that she is actually an orphan? Ha-ha.’ Star turned over and sniffed loudly. She wished she had parents.

Her father had died in a car accident when her mother was still pregnant. Then her mother died in childbirth. She never got to hold the baby. Luke was 9 years old then. He held the baby and Aunt Blossom told him to name her. “Star.” he said. “I want to name the baby Star.”

So Aunt Blossom decided that the baby would be christened Star. Aunt Blossom had raised the two children ever since. Star loved Aunt Blossom very much. But she wasn’t their mother. Star wiped her eyes and sat up.

She put her hand on her head. It was aching terribly. She flopped back on the bed and sighed. I was so happy this morning. She thought tiredly. Then she remembered the note again and cried herself to sleep.

*.*.*.*.*

“Star? Star. Wake up. Are you okay?” Star opened her eyes and saw her brother looking at her anxiously. “Yeah, I’m fine.” she said before yawning. Luke gave her a hug and kissed her head. “I was kind of worried for you. As soon as we got home, you ran to your room and slammed the door.”

Star gave him a weak smile. “Its okay. I’m alright.” Star sat up. Luke smiled at her warmly. “How was school?”
Star cringed as she thought about it. “Uh, fine. I mean,” Star hesitated. “Pretty awful.”
Luke looked concerned.

“It was just some girls--” Star faltered. “Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked gently. Star burst into tears. “I was in class and then this note fell onto my desk and then I read it and--” Star reached into her pocket and pulled out the note.

She gave it to Luke and he took it, smoothing it out. He read it and his eyes flashed with anger. “They shouldn’t do things like this!” he exclaimed, angrily indignant. Star shrugged even though she agreed with her brother.

“I’ll have to talk to the teacher.” Luke said. “No!” Star shouted. She blushed. “No. She wouldn’t understand.” Luke gave Star a puzzled look. Then suddenly someone downstairs screamed. Star and Luke jumped up and ran down.

“What happened aunt--” Luke stopped when he saw Aunt Blossom lying on the floor, drenched in blood. Star screamed and ran nearer. “What happened?!” Star screamed, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh.. Luke... Star... Darlings... Come... I-I--” Aunt Blossom's voice wavered. Luke was crying already. “What happened?” he asked urgently. Aunt Blossom held Star’s and Luke’s hands.

“It was him. He came and- he demanded- I mean, asked me for the map. I refused. Then he- he kind of- s-s-shot m-me. No, don’t worry. Take care of yourselves.” Star cried. “Why you? What map? Who are you talking about?”

Aunt Blossom sighed. She was breathing very heavily. “The-the- map. The map to the treas—treasure.” Luke looked puzzled. “Treasure? Who came to take it?” Aunt Blossom looked very troubled. “My brother.”

To be continued...