In a galaxy so vast, what would drive a person to stay in one place?

    In a life where one single person is so small, what would drive Shawn to leave?

    My Link pings and my thoughts are pulled away from me. I stand from my bed and walk across the room, switching on my projector and accepting the call. A tall figure with light features appears and I can't fight the large smile that springs to my face.

    "Serina, I've been meaning to call you, it's just been really busy out here." Shawn pushes some of his light blonde hair from his face, it's gotten longer since the last time I talked to him, and he lights up with a large smile to match my own. "How does it feel to finally be twenty-one?"

    I roll my eyes, laughing slightly under my breath. "You know I couldn't be happier, I can now apply for my transfer to A1-C23. I just hope my application is accepted, I really want to see you in person again."

    Shawn chuckles and throws his hand into the air. "Of course it will be accepted. The A1 system always gets the best minds in the galaxy after the Prime system, the system would be crippled if they didn't bring you out here. I'm even getting your housing arrangements in order." He crosses his arms with a smug look on his face and a sick feeling forms in my stomach.

    "Shawn, you shouldn't be spending your time finding a bungalow for me when you're already busy with your work! Besides, there is always a chance that my application won't be approved..." I look down at my hands, unable to meet his eyes and start to pick at the dirt under my nails.

    "Serina, look at me." His voice is stern and I learned years ago to always listen when he uses that tone. I raise my eyes, looking at him through my lashes and his expression loses some of it's edge. "You're my little sister, how can I not do this kind of stuff for you? Now, stop doubting yourself. You're going to go to the GTA, take your aptitude test, then apply for the transfer. Then it is all smooth sailing-"

    "Barringer! I think I found something!" A voice somewhere on his end cuts him off and he sighs, rubbing his forehead. In that one gesture it makes him seem to have aged ten years. Shawn's work as one of the lead geologists has been taking a toll on him and I can tell that he doesn't sleep much anymore.

    "You should get going." I clasp my hands in front of me and rock on my feet, the forming silence squeezing at my heart.

    "I'm sure I could get a few more-"

    "No, you're needed, I understand. Please go do your job, we'll talk more later."

    Shawn frowns and reaches forward, his projection moving his hand by my cheek like he wishes he could touch me. "You're right, like always." He plants a smile on his face and meets my eyes. "I guess I have to get going Spongy, I love you."

    "I love you too." With that, the transmission cuts out and his projection disappears, leaving my room with an oddly dark feel.

    I shudder and shake my head, turning on the lights and grabbing my Link from the charging dock. With my Link in hand, I leave my room and head for the den, the television coming to life when I walk through the threshold. On the screen is a woman in the Prime system speaking with a live video playing next to her. I sit on the couch, crossing my legs underneath me and unmute the feed.

    "...and while all available resources are being moved to their location, the GTA is sill focused on giving some of the newer colonies their attention." I look at the video next to her, seeing pictures of Otrerth, the recently named D9-J4 planet.

    The video shifts between shots of demolished buildings and crying people. The video shows the worst of the destruction after a large asteroid crashed into Otrerth's larger moon, knocking it off course.

    I'm focused on the feed when my Link chimes. I lean forward, looking at the screen and see Astrid's name in big white letters. I open the projector and accept her call. A short girl with a slight frame joins me in the room and I have to look up to meet her eyes from the couch.

    "Hey Rina, long time no see!" I chuckle and shift on the couch, tucking my feet under me a little more, the cold air chilling my toes.

    "We talked yesterday, remember how Jack-Jack came out of his room in just his underwear not realizing I was there?" Astrid bursts into a fit of laughter as she remembers the events of yesterday.

    "Then when he saw you he ran back into his room and refused to come out until our call ended!" I felt so bad for her little brother, the little eight-year-old is the youngest of the five kids and he seemed to have a slight crush on me. Or at least that's what Astrid says.

    "Anyway, would you mind moving somewhere you can sit down? You're currently standing in my coffee table." I gesture to her legs even though she can't see the table that stands about shin level.

    Astrid laughs and nods. "Sure, just a second." She starts walking in place as she moves around her house while carrying her Link. Once she stops and sits down, I adjust my Link and it looks like she's sitting next to me.

    "What's the matter?" Astrid looks at me and crosses her arms, seeming to know whenever I need to talk.

    I sigh and look down at my hands, trying to think of the right words. "I don't-it's just-" I scowl down at my lap and shake my head. "Shawn finally called..."

    I raise my gaze and Astrid nods. Her older sister, Gwen, took a transfer the same year Shawn did and we both lost our best friend. Two months later, we met on a support site for people mostly on their own until their twenty-first birthday and have been each other's best friend since, knowing exactly what the other was going through.

    "I'm guessing the call didn't go as you hoped?" I shake my head and she frowns.

    "We talked for a few short minutes but then he was called back to work." Astrid gives me a sad look but soon the light in her eyes changes.

    "Enough talk about busy brothers, what is your plan now that your twenty-one?" She gives me a side smile and I chuckle.

    "The same one that I told you yesterday." We both chuckle, even though I've only known Astrid for the past couple of years, I know that she's the type of person who will do anything to make someone else smile.

    "So, go to the GTA and ace your test?"

    "That and apply for the transfer." I shrug, swallowing my excitement. I will finally be able to see my brother face-to-face after he moved away four years ago. "Are you going to apply for a transfer? Maybe go work on the same planet as your sister?"

    Astrid shakes her head. "I don't know, it's actually a hard decision for me, you know?" Oddly, I did. While I never really had anyone but Shawn, Astrid has a lot of people and now leaving them just to be with one must be a really hard decision.

    "I think I might just leave it up to the GTA. If I'm meant to go somewhere, I'll go somewhere." She gives a small shrug but I can see the tension in her posture and I know that she's having a hard time deciding.

    I'm about to ask her to open up when there's a knock on my door. I glance at the clock across the room and deflate. "Who's at your door? Or was that my door?" Astrid looks around on her side and I laugh.

    "No, that was my door." I turn and face my door, starting to stand. "Just a moment!" I grab my Link and run to my room.

    "Who's at your door?" Astrid repeats her question and raises a brow, crossing her arms over her chest. I set my Link down and roll my eyes.

    "It's Micah, his family invited me over to dinner because he and I are on the same ship ride to the GTA next week." I run about my room, grabbing my small bag and throw my keys inside.

    "Ooo, Micah..." Her voice rings as her second brow joins the first halfway up her forehead.

    "Oh shush!" I take a quick glance in the mirror, pushing my light blonde hair behind an ear only for it to move back forward. I grab my Link and head for the front door. "Now I have to go, I'll talk to you later, Astrid!"

    "But I want to see what he look-" I cut the transmission and open the door to see Micah with his smiling expression.

    I look up at his face, olive skin with grey eyes and light hair, just like almost everybody else on Aoria. "Hi."

    "Hi."

    "You ready to go?" He steps away and I walk out, shutting the door and looking out at the water.

    "I sure am."

"Have you decided whether you're going to transfer or not, Serina?" My fork halts halfway to my mouth, my lips parted as I look to the other end of the table.

    I set my fork down, eel forgotten and clear my throat. "Yes, I'm going to apply for a transfer to A1-C23." Mrs. Dawson nods while dabbing at her lips with her napkin.

    "That's the planet you brother left you to go to, correct?" I shift my eyes to Mr. Dawson, his cool gaze watching my every move while his emotionless words tear at my heart. People on my planet hardly ever transfer for we are very family-oriented people, to leave would be to turn your back on your family and your history.

    "Yes, I haven't seen my brother in person for four years, and because he is the only real family I've known for so long, I miss him very much." I shift uncomfortably, straightening my back to feign even a little confidence.

    "I see." We all begin to eat again, the tension in the air building as the silence between us stretches on.

    "I'm transferring as well." Micah's words stun me and my fork falls from my fingers, hitting the plate with a loud clang.

    "Micah, we told you not to say anything in case you choose not to transfer while at the GTA." His mother's voice is hard and her eyes are heated as she looks upon him with anger.

    "Mom, you know just as everyone else that I wish to live on a volcanic planet to study volcanology. Should my test suggest otherwise, which it will most likely not, I will stay." I look between the three family members with my mouth open in astonishment.

    My brother was the first Aorian to transfer planets after thirty-seven years and I was expecting to be the only one since for another couple of decades. My eyes lock with Micah's and I can't seem to read the emotion behind them. He will be leaving his family while I go to find mine, I can't even imagine what this next week must mean for him. I glance behind Micah and look at the time, grateful for what I see.

    I finish the last few bites of my eel and dab at my mouth. "Thank you for the wonderful dinner Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, but it is getting late and I'm sure both Micah and I should try to get as much sleep as we can with everything we have left to prepare for the GTA."

    I rise from my seat and Micah stands as well. "She's right, I'll take her home then come back."

    I go to thank them again but Micah's hands turn me around and push me in the direction of the door. "I-"

    "Shush!" Micah hisses behind me and we go out the door, walking to the Skimmer just off the shore. I look back at his bungalow, the walls I've gotten to know after Shawn left shrinking the farther out we go.

    I hear a faint beep and turn forward, seeing Micah open the small door to my side of the Skimmer. I climb in, sitting tall over the water as he walks around and climbs in on his side. "Well, you were in a bit of a hurry to get out of there."

    Micah sighs at my words and we both buckle in as the Skimmer sets off, gracefully gliding across the surface of the water with a steady hum. "You'll never understand what it is like to transfer as an Aorian with family still here."

    His words are harsh, but I feel no sting. "You're right, I won't. Just like you will never understand what it feels like for your only family, as an Aorian, to leave you stranded on your own." My words come out bland and simple, the fact staring us both down.

    "You're right..." I sense that he wants to say more, but I don't bother to ask. We've never been close, just acquaintances using the occasional company when there weren't many others our age in the area.

    I lean my head against the side of the Skimmer, my hand laying on the open windowless space that lets air pass over my face. I look out at the blue around us, yearning to unbuckle and reach down to touch the water. My fingers itch to feel the cool, calming effect of the waves and the gentle push and pull of the currents.

    The water and its beauty will be what I miss most about Aoria. A1-C23 is a large rock with a thin atmosphere, it's sole purpose to be the home to miners and scientists. The first flight group settled there five years ago was the start to what is now the largest mining colony in the system.

    "You hear about Otrerth?" I raise my head and look at Micah, raising my brows at his weak attempt at small talk.

    "Yes."

    "Right..."

    I sit up, and keep my eyes on him, waiting to determine if he will talk more, or if he will leave me to contemplate the water. Micah remains silent for a while and I look back out at the water, glad for the silence to return.

    "How old were you when Shawn had to start taking care of you?" I tense while looking out at the water and my chest tightens.

    I close my eyes, breathing slowly, forcing my body to accept the salty air around me. "I was twelve." My chest releases with the words out and I hold back a sigh. One thing that is nice about isolation, is nobody asks about your personal life, but I guess I need to get used to it, especially if I'm going to a mining colony.

    "So, he stepped up to care for you at the age of sixteen, nine years ago?" I can feel his gaze on me, but I keep my eyes trained on the passing water, watching as waves swell and move closer to the shore. With his eyes on me, I simply nod and remain silent, hoping he'll take my lack of words as a sign that I'd rather leave the topic alone.

    "Is that why you want to follow after him? Rather than shun him for leaving like most Aorians would do?" I clench my hands in my lap and focus on my breathing.

    I breath in. One, two, three. I breath out. One, two, three. "Something like that." In. Out. In. Out.

    We fall into another stretch of silence and before long, the Skimmer is stopped in front of my bungalow. I open the door to get out, bag clutched tightly in my hands and I hear Micah breath in, getting ready to say something.

    "If this has something more to do with my past trauma, I'd rather not talk about it." I glare over my shoulder, having reached my limit for the night and Micah snaps his mouth shut.

    I nod and hop out of the Skimmer, my feet landing in the shallow water. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about the way my parents acted tonight."

    I shut the door and look at Micah through the opening. "They may seem overbearing, but just remember that you have them." I turn away and tighten my grip on my bag. "I would give anything to see my parents again."

    I don't wait to hear what he says, I simply walk up the short shore path to my bungalow.