Justin was on the roof with his telescope. It was a starry Sunday night and the sky was full of stars . Justin wished to be an astronomer . The pattern of stars and the endless space used to fascinate him. After dinner everyday he used to sit for an hour and gaze at the stars . His small telescope was given to him by his only friend Jacob. Jacob had even signed his name as a reminder. When he gazed at the stars he paid no attention to the world around him ,his mind went high as the stars in the sky. Justin was like any other normal boy of 14. Only he was a little isolated from others . Sorry isolated would be a wrong word , he was criticized by his fellow mates. Justin had shifted to Ohio only a few weeks ago and within so less time life had become hell for him. Sometimes it became very painful for him to withstand this but his friend Jacob used to console him and asked him to continue his hobby . Yes , it was his hobby which was the reason he had to face this CRITICISM.

Next day Justin was woken up by the loud ringing of his alarm clock . He did not wish to get up but he realized he had school . "SCHOOL" ; this very word has become a sore subject for him . For him school had become a place where he was mocked , rebuked and insulted. Anyways he could not avoid school so he got up at length. He drowsily walked to his bathroom and brushed his teeth , ate his breakfast and went to school . As soon as he entered his class .His arch enemy Jim started calling him,"Hey Justin it's better if you glue your eyes to the telescope ." Another boy named Stark yelled ,"Hey Justin do you really look at the stars or in others room". Everybody laughed . Justin tried to ignore them . He felt like crying. As usual he sat beside Jacob who consoled him. Then the bell rang and everyone sat in their own places . Their class teacher Mr. Bonsai entered their class . He was a middle aged man who taught Science . When he entered Justin realized that he had forgotten to do the homework given by him . He was very busy with his stargazing . Mr. Bonsai was a very strict teacher . As soon as he entered he took everyone's assignments from them . When he went to Justin he slowly told him he had forgotten to do his homework . Mr. Bonsai became very angry and told him to get out of his class. Justin quietly went out of the class . He heard from outside what Mr. Bonsai said next . Mr Bonsai said,"Today I am going to change all your places." To Justin's horror first the place of Jacob was shifted and Mr. Bonsai made him sit beside Jim. Similarly everyone's place was changed only Justin's place was left to be changed . Mr. Bonsai made him sit beside a new girl who had just joined school that day. Mr. Bonsai asked him to come in and sit in his new place . The girl introduce herself as Danielle . Justin found her quite friendly and they two became very good friends by the first period. Next period was Geography ,Justin's favorite subject . The teacher had started the chapter "The Universe" and asked anyone in the class to tell her in brief about all the eight planets of the Solar system. Justin raised his hand answered her perfectly . Danielle was amazed at his knowledge about the Universe . During the break Justin ,Jacob and his new friend Danielle sat together to have their lunch when Jim and his crew stepped in . Jim rebuked Justin and said,"Hey look our astronomer has got a new friend." Jacob angrily tried to hit him but he was swatted aside by Jim. Jim was much more burly and stronger that Jacob . Seeing his friend getting beaten up Justin rose and tried to hit him . He too was swatted aside by Jim and his cronies started beating him when Danielle came to rescue. She shouted at Jim telling him to stop and pushed him aside and stopped his friends from beating them up. When they moved away from Justin , he was badly injured and had a black eye . Danielle took him to the clinic and Jim was suspended for two days.

Anyways when they were going back Justin decided to invite Jacob and his new friend Danielle to his house . He told Jacob but he was a bit tensed about Danielle . In the last period Justin told Danielle ," Um, if you are free today will you come to house . " To his surprise Danielle easily agreed to his proposal and decided to come to his house . Justin promised to show her many new constellations . Justin went home happily and told his mother about his new friend . His mother was very happy and immediately went to cook a delicious supper for Justin and his friends . At 7 o'clock both Jacob and Danielle came . They were warmly greeted by his mother. Justin took them to his room . Danielle was amazed to see his room. Really Justin's room was very neatly arranged and on the corner of the room was his telescope gifted by Jacob . Justin showed Danielle the telescope . Danielle was very excited and told Justin that she wanted to see the constellations and stars . Justin felt very happy . At least someone took interest in his hobby. He took Danielle and Jacob to the roof and they saw the constellations through his telescope . When Justin was showing Danielle some rare constellations like Ophiuchus , Andromeda etc , Jacob caught the smell of burning sweet potatoes and roasted chicken and he couldn't resist himself . He told Justin ," Hey ,when you guys are over come down , I can't really resist the smell of sweet potatoes and roasted chicken." Saying this Jacob went down to the dining room.

That left Danielle and Justin alone .

Danielle thanked Justin for all that he had showed him . Justin suddenly held Danielle's hand and told her that she was the best friend he had ever had . Danielle too held his hand and promised that she would protect him from anyone who criticizes his hobby. She felt that a hobby of a person can be anything and there was no reason to criticize him/her just because he did not mix to others or pay attention to them. Justin upon hearing this felt like he was the luckiest person on Earth to get such nice friends like Jacob and Danielle. They heard Jacob calling them for dinner . But they were too lost and there mind was as high up like the stars in the sky. They held each other's hands and looked at the starry night sky!

Can Danielle protect Justin from unjust criticism and can Justin pursue his hobby to make a landmark in the history of mankind?

To find that wait till the next chapter is released!

Yours sincerely,

RhikDN.