Introduction
Stellar Collision: The coming together of two stars caused by stellar dynamics within a star cluster.
Chapter 1
Jeremiah
Stepping out of my car in the freezing cold January morning, I take a moment to tighten the scarf around my neck, pulling it up enough to cover my ears from the bitter wind. These early mornings are rough when the New England winter is doing its best to break me. As I trudge through the snow, I remind myself why I show up before everyone else and am usually the last to leave.
I dig through my pocket, finding the keys to open the back entrance to the planetarium building. As I pass the informational space displays on my way to my office, I pause for a moment, taking it all in. I still can't believe I work here. I remember countless hours dreaming of just this. My entire collegiate career was spent with this goal in mind. Now, two years after graduate school, it’s a dream come true. I am proof that hard work and determination payoff, no matter how many obstacles are in the way. Working for Blue Moon Planetarium is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Heading to my office, the soft soles of my shoes the only sound on the concrete floor, I think about the day ahead. It's going to be a busy one, filled with numerous groups of kids on school field trips, our local science group who meets on Wednesdays, and the usual crowd of daily visitors.
Once at my desk, I boot up the computer and start reading emails that have come in since I last checked. My eyes flick to the clock on the wall. I have a whole hour until employees start streaming in. Plenty of time to read emails and enjoy the silence before it’s go-time.
The first email is from Richard, one of the planetarium’s owners. Not unusual to get one. Usually a request for monthly numbers or some other stats to give to his business partner. I scan the email, accurately guessing what he wants. I proudly reply, having compiled the month-to-date figures last night. I add a note that it’s a twenty percent increase over last year, implying that hiring Samuel as our marketing lead was a good idea.
Richard replies quickly, no doubt easy for him since he’s across the world from me in Sydney right now. Sometimes the guy confounds me. More money than he knows what to do with, so he uses it to open a planetarium and support the observatory? Fine if he cared an ounce about space, but he’s made it clear he doesn’t. He just won’t talk about why a planetarium. It works out for me though. He travels for months at a time, leaving me in charge and giving me free rein over the place. All I need is for him to finally retire, a promise he dangles over me at least once every few months, and make me the official director. Not only do I want the title, but the pay increase would be helpful. Boston is not a cheap city.
Richard responds with praise and tells me he’ll see me in a week, attaching a picture of him with his boyfriend, Danny, sitting on a beach with their feet in the sand. That’s right, Richard, rub it in.
Chuckling, I return to my tasks, only pausing when, nearly an hour later, there’s a knock at my office door. It’s Asher.
“Morning,” I greet, but then frown as Asher rubs the back of his neck.
“There’s a problem in the café.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Maybe you should come see it for yourself.”
“Okay.”
I stand, quickly following Asher down the stairs and through the space until we get to the café. When I enter, I don’t notice anything unusual until I twist around to ask Asher what’s up and see Samuel, my twin, Julien, our morning shift manager, Easton, who leads tours, Penelope, who manages the gift shop, and Aiden, my best friend.
“What is this about?” I ask, gazing at my friends and family.
“Today is your anniversary,” Aiden says, stepping forward. He presents me with a small cupcake on a plate. “We knew it would be busy today, so we wanted to get you before you got caught up in everything.”
“You guys.” I shake my head, feeling my cheeks warm. “I can't believe this. Last year was really sweet, but I didn’t expect to keep this going.”
“Why not?” Aiden asks. “You deserve it.”
“You totally deserve it,” Samuel says, bumping his arm against mine.
“Thank you.” I bow my head slightly. “I’ll save it for lunch.”
Samuel shakes his head. “Indulge a little, big bro.”
“Big bro?” Julien questions. “You guys are twins.”
“He’s older by fourteen minutes.” Samuel smirks. “Which equals fourteen years in Jeremiah time.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I resent that.”
“Then eat the cupcake.”
I gaze down at the red-velvet beauty. It is my favorite, but a sugar bomb like this at nine in the morning is sure to cause some stomach distress. I’ve never been one to be peer-pressured either. I got to this point in life by making plans and practicing discipline. I smile. I suppose one little taste of cream cheese frosting won’t kill me. I bend my head and lick the edge of the cupcake to cheers from my friends.
Samuel gently squeezes my shoulder. “Good job.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Thank you, all. It means a lot to me that you care so much.”
“Now back to work,” Julien says, mimicking my voice. “You know that’s the next thing he’s gonna say.”
Everyone laughs as I shake my head, walking away with Samuel and Aiden in tow behind me.
“How’d they get you up so early?” I ask Aiden, my perennially running late friend.
“Wouldn’t miss a surprise for you.” He stretches, his mop of sandy-blond curls bouncing as his shirt rides up. His graphic design work keeps him up pretty late most nights.
“I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m leaving and going back to bed. Call me later?”
“Of course.”
Aiden shuffles his way out while Samuel and I stand in the main corridor of the planetarium.
“I sent numbers over to Richard. He’s very happy.”
Samuel nods. “Awesome. Did he say anything about my pitch for the February event?”
“Not to me.” I pat my brother’s arm. “It’s a good idea. I’m sure he’ll be into it.”
“Hope so.” He shrugs, grazing his bottom lip with his teeth.
We may be identical twins, but we’re very easy to tell apart. Samuel lets his brown hair grow wild, and it’s so long now, it touches his shoulders. He dresses like we’re going to a rock concert, with skinny jeans and band T-shirts, and he has tattoos. Me? My hair is cut short and nicely styled. My attire typically consists of khakis and a plain button-down shirt. On the weekend, I might go crazy and choose a white T-shirt. The word conservative has been used to describe me more than once. Samuel is the creative one. I’m the practical one. He also has more dates than he can handle, while I haven’t been out in four months, and, when I do date, it usually ends in pure boredom, or worse, a disaster.
It’s fine though. I’m fine. Everything is fine.
My heart clenches in my chest at the untruth I constantly tell myself. My life is exactly as I designed it, complete with my dream job, a happy family life, and great friends. In another month or two, I’ll get the director position I’ve been aiming for. So what if I can’t figure out this whole love business. I’m just not cut out for it. Maybe it’s just not in the stars for this guy.