The Paths Between the Stars by Amira K. Makansi

Author:Amira K. Makansi [Makansi, Amira K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Publisher: Layla Dog Press
Published: 2021-09-05T18:56:45+00:00

Electromagnetism

“Electromagnetism is responsible for far more than just electricity and magnetism. It is the force that binds negatively charged electrons to positively charged atomic nuclei, ensuring that stable atoms can be formed and that chemistry—including the chemistry of life—can happen.” —New Scientist, “Electromagnetism”

I silence the growing cry in my body that tells me to call for Silas like I did at Dr. Chase’s. Not yet. I tell myself again and again that I can handle Paul on my own. I don’t need Silas for everything. The fire grows as a few of the other kids help Leah and another counselor build it up. Paul is nowhere to be seen.

As I pitch my tent in the fading light, Bree approaches.

“Need a hand?” she asks.

I glare at my messy tent, poles everywhere, stakes not yet in the ground.

“Sure,” I reply. “I’ve never pitched a tent that doesn’t stand on its own.” Truthfully, my hands have been shaking too hard to fit the poles together.

“Here,” she says. “You have to extend the poles to their full length.”

I watch in admiration as she darts around the tent, pounding the stakes in with a fist-sized rock, fitting my hiking poles into the folded corners. The butterfly on her arm catches a ray of pale pink sunlight. It seems to take wing, flying off her skin and into the night. “Put that pole in at the bottom,” she instructs, pointing to a sliver of fabric at the foot of my tent. I shake off my fascination with her tattoo to oblige. Moments later, the tent is upright.

“That was impressive.” I cross my arms. “Do you camp a lot?”

She shrugs. “Yeah. My dad used to take me and my brother camping when we were younger. But mostly I got good at this stuff when I was in wilderness therapy last summer.” She stares at the ground. “We were out in the back country for weeks.”

“How old is your brother?”

“We’re twins.”

“I don’t know how old you are,” I point out.

“I’m sixteen. A sophomore.” A year younger than me.

“You’re not at Rocklin High, are you?” She shakes her head. “That’s why I haven’t seen you.”

“I’m at West Albany.” She glances down at my tent. “You clearly never go camping.”

“That’s not true,” I protest. “I’ve been camping a few times. Always with these adventure therapy groups.”

“Well, they didn’t teach you very well.” She smiles.

“They’re always too busy meditating to teach me about camping,” I reply. She laughs harder.

“So do you have a crush on Paul or what?” she says abruptly.

I stop laughing. My stomach clenches. The awkwardness of being called out about my halfhearted, illicit crush on our counselor mixes uncomfortably with the dark memory of this afternoon.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve watched you at our meetings. You’re always flirting with him. You seemed enchanted on the hike up.” She pauses. Watches my reaction as I fumble for words. “It’s okay,” she says, her voice measured. “I had a crush on one of my teachers last year. It’s not weird or anything.

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