"Breaking news—"A massive blue comet.Collision course: Earth.Impact:Planetary destruction is possible.
The ominous announcement echoed through the television, its clipped tone leaving no room for comfort. Absynthe sat motionless, her mind turning over the weight of the words. Slowly, she reached for the remote, shutting off the screen, plunging the room into silence.
"Lush?!" Her voice sliced through the stillness, sharp and urgent.
"Here, Abby," came the reply, light and melodious, from the kitchen.
Lush continued preparing breakfast, undeterred by the looming catastrophe. One hand rested on her rounded belly—a quiet, instinctive gesture of protection. She moved with effortless grace, embodying calm where Absynthe could not.
Absynthe was a study in contrasts. At seventeen, she stood tall at five-nine, her wiry frame taut with restless energy. Her white hair, neatly twisted into a French braid, framed a round face marked by striking blue eyes—sharp, rebellious, relentless. A delinquent's edge? Certainly. But loyalty was her backbone, and those who truly knew her understood the unshakable spark beneath the bravado. She finished breakfast, shouldering her bag before stepping out into the world. Music pulsed through her headphones, drowning out the morning hum. Until—
"Hey, baby," a voice called.
The morning sun stretched long shadows across the pavement as Absynthe trudged toward school, her headphones snugly in place. The announcement about the blue comet lingered in her mind, heavy and unshakable. What was the point of school today? If the world was ending, who cared about tests? Still, routine was a stubborn comfort, so she kept walking, letting the rhythmic thrum of her music drown out her thoughts.
Just as the gates of Louche's High came into view, a familiar, smug voice cut through the quiet.
"Abby! Wait up!"
Absynthe sighed, pulling down her headphones, already bracing herself. Sure enough, Obsidian jogged beside her, his signature grin plastered across his face. His gold eyes gleamed with mischief, and his red hair caught the morning light like embers on fire.
"Miss me yet, Abby?" he teased, falling into step beside her.
"Oh, it's you," she deadpanned, not even glancing his way. "And for the thousandth time, no, Obsidian, I didn't."
"Aww, come on, baby," his grin widened.
That was it. Absynthe stopped mid-stride, pivoted sharply, and clenched her fist. Before Obsidian could react, she delivered a swift, controlled punch to the side of his head.
"OW!" he yelped, stumbling back. "What the hell, Synny?!"
"You know exactly what that was for," she growled, already storming ahead.
"You're violent."He responded
"You're annoying," she playfully bites back
The school gates loomed ahead, and waiting there, effortlessly composed, was Synthena.
"Abby!, Sid!" Synthena's voice was bright, playful as ever. Her pink hair gleamed, the toxic green streak cutting through like a rebellious signature.
"Hey, Sin," Absynthe greeted her, a small smirk breaking through her scowl.
"Aw, did I interrupt another lovers' spat?" Synthena teased, lilac eyes sparkling.
"Not lovers," Absynthe corrected.
"Speak for yourself," Obsidian smirked.
Synthena giggled, then her voice dropped into quiet concern.
"Did you guys hear about the comet?"
Absynthe and Obsidian exchanged a glance before nodding.
"Are you scared?" Synthena's voice softened.
"Scared? Nah," Obsidian puffed his chest, flashing a shaky grin. "I'm a man. Men don't get scared."
Both girls raised an eyebrow.
Then, laughter spilled between them, sharp, untamed.
"Sure, Sid," Absynthe muttered, shaking her head.
Synthena leaned in, her smile gentler now.
"Whatever happens, at least we're in this together."
****************************************************************************************
The small group entered the school gates, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls. A dreary atmosphere clung to the corridors, populated by sparse groups of students. Some walked as though pretending everything was fine, others muttered about the comet, their voices hushed and anxious. A few mumbled about strict parents forcing them to come, while some dismissed the news entirely, rolling their eyes and scoffing that it was all just a government ploy. Absynthe glanced around at the mix of skepticism and worry, thinking with mild disdain," Leftists".
Synthena voiced her thoughts aloud as she took in the unusually quiet hallways. "It's so empty today. I knew I should've stayed home," she exclaimed. Absynthe shot her a sideways look and retorted, "Why didn't you?" Synthena glanced down, her cheerful tone dimming. "I don't know. I just had this strange feeling that I should be here today, despite my father begging me not to go."
Silence fell between them, stretching over the corridor. "Why didn't you stay home?" Synthena pressed gently. Absynthe crossed her arms as she walked, her pace slow and deliberate. "I guess I was bored and didn't want to spend my last hours… bored." Her voice softened on the last word, hinting at an unspoken concern. Synthena caught the shift in tone, her perceptive nature lighting up. "You were worried, weren't you?" she asked.
Absynthe bristled at the question, shaking it off quickly. "Absolutely not!," she replied firmly, the truth hidden behind her sharp tone. Synthena giggled and nudged her playfully. "You're such a hard head, you know that?" Absynthe flushed and looked away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Synthena tilted her head toward Obsidion and remarked, "And what about you? You seem quieter than usual. What's going on?" Obsidion, startled by how easily Synthena had read him, snapped to attention. "What? Nothing's wrong here!" he exclaimed, his tone exaggerated and defensive. Synthena raised her eyebrows knowingly, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, really?" she said, clearly unconvinced.
A mischievous glint appeared in Synthena's eyes as she pulled out a box of donuts from her bag. She tilted her head mockingly and raised the box high above her. "Oh well, I guess I'll just have to eat these cream donuts all by myself," she teased. "After all, it doesn't matter, right? You don't care." Obsidion snapped out of his facade instantly. "Hey! You can't do that! That's not fair—give me some!" he exclaimed, reaching to snatch the box from her hands.
Synthena danced out of his grasp with a delighted laugh, holding the box higher as she dodged his attempts. "Nope, they're mine!" she taunted, running ahead with Obsidion hot on her heels.
Absynthe lingered behind, watching them with a wistful smile. The sight of their playful chase tugged at her heart, stirring memories and unspoken fears. If the comet does hit… will we be friends again in the afterlife? Her eyes watered slightly, the weight of her thoughts momentarily overwhelming her.
The sound of her sniffle broke through the laughter. Synthena froze, lowering the box in her hands, her playful grin fading into concern. Obsidion halted as well, turning to see Absynthe's tear-streaked face. Something unfamiliar stirred within him. Without thinking, he stormed toward her, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Snap out of it, Absynthe! This isn't you!" he exclaimed, his tone rough and awkward, his words tumbling over themselves. "Uptight… thingy-m-bobber girl!" he added, unsure how to insult her without revealing his deeper feelings. His cheeks flushed furiously, the warmth spreading to the tips of his ears.
Absynthe blinked at him in surprise, her tears giving way to laughter—a bright, melodic sound that caught him completely off guard. Obsidion stumbled over his words, flustered by her reaction. "What's so funny?" he demanded, his voice rising as his blush deepened.
Synthena, now fully aware of the dynamic unfolding between them, turned her back to the pair, crossing her arms. A shadow fell over her expression as she whispered to herself, "Just get married already," rolling her eyes with exaggerated drama.
Absynthe and Obsidion, realizing the awkwardness of their exchange, broke apart quickly. They crossed their arms and stood back-to-back, both furiously blushing. Synthena spun around, spotting their flushed faces and smirking knowingly. "Come on, you two! We'd better head off to class," she called, waving them forward.
Synthena hurried down the hallway, the donut box still in her grasp. Obsidion bristled at the sight of her escaping with the treats. "Hey, wait up! You can't keep all those to yourself! They'll make you fat!" he shouted, grinning mischievously. Synthena snapped back instantly, "Watch your mouth, redhead!" as she dashed ahead, her footsteps quick and playful.
Obsidion's grin turned into a playful snarl. "Why, you little—!" he exclaimed, chasing after her with renewed energy.
Absynthe watched them run ahead, her heart lighter as she smiled softly. "Hey, wait up, you two! Don't leave me behind—I want some donuts too!" she called, breaking into a jog to catch up.
**************************************************************************
The sun hung low in the sky, casting an amber glow across the school grounds. Inside the cafeteria, Absynthe, Synthena, and Obsidian sat quietly, the weight of the comet's approach heavy in the air. A television in the corner played the latest update, filling the room with tense voices:
"Breaking news: The blue comet has entered Earth's atmosphere and is growing larger by the minute. Scientists report erratic behavior, claiming the comet has slowed, an unprecedented phenomenon. With less than 1 hour until impact, citizens are urged to remain calm and prepare for the worst."
Synthena reached for the remote and turned the TV off abruptly. The absence of sound was almost deafening as the group sat in silence, the faint tension palpable.
Suddenly, the cafeteria doors swung open, breaking the stillness. Travis strode in, his white hair streaked with lilac catching the waning light, his dull purple eyes sharp and focused. Behind him followed Celestia, as casual as ever, her oversized jersey swaying as she adjusted her Bluetooth earpiece, one hand clutching her PSP tightly.
"Well, isn't this a lively little reunion?" Travis remarked dryly, his gaze scanning the small group. "How come no one bothered inviting me to the pity party?"
"Trav, you made it!" Synthena exclaimed, her voice brightening as she waved him over. She was always the ray of sunshine in even the darkest moments.
"Of course I did, Twerp," Travis replied, ruffling his hair gently but feigning indifference. "Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble."
Celestia plopped down beside Obsidian, barely sparing the tense atmosphere a glance as her fingers danced across her PSP. "So, what's the plan?" she asked nonchalantly, her eyes fixed on the screen. "Hide, run, or sit here like ducks waiting to be roasted?"
Obsidian scoffed. "Not exactly the best time for gaming, don't you think?"
"It helps me focus," Celestia shot back, her lips curling into a smirk. "What's your excuse for standing around like a deer in headlights?"
"Alright, enough!" Absynthe's voice cut through their bickering. She stood abruptly, her sharp blue eyes snapping between them. "We don't have time for this. We need a plan."
"Finally, some sense," Travis said with a faint smirk, crossing his arms. "And I'm guessing you're the one with the bright ideas, Abs?"
Absynthe ignored the nickname, focusing on the streaks of blue and violet that painted the horizon outside the window. The sky had begun to shift, the colors deepening and writhing unnaturally. A low rumble vibrated beneath their feet, faint but growing.
"That sky doesn't look normal," Celestia said, finally peeling her eyes away from her PSP. "Are we sure this is just a comet?"
"No," Synthena said, her voice small as she leaned closer to the window. "It feels... wrong."
"Whatever it is, we can't stay here," .Absynthe declared, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "We need to head for the basement. It's the only reinforced part of the school."
"The basement?" Travis arched an eyebrow. "That's your genius plan?"
"It's safer than being out in the open," Absynthe snapped, glaring at him. "Unless you've got a better idea?"
Travis raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, fearless leader. Lead the way."
The group moved quickly, leaving the cafeteria and weaving through the darkened hallways. The lights flickered above them, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The rumble outside had grown louder, shaking the ground beneath their feet as if the earth was protesting the comet's approach.
As they neared the stairwell to the basement, the building shook violently, sending shards of glass raining from above. Celestia yelped, ducking as Travis instinctively shielded her with his arm.
"Move!" Absynthe shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
They raced down the stairs, their footsteps echoing against the concrete walls. Once inside the basement, they slammed the heavy door shut behind them, the roar from outside muffled but still ominous.
For a moment, the group just stood there, catching their breath. Then, Absynthe turned to face them, her expression steely.
"Whatever happens next, we stick together," she said firmly. "Got it?"
There was a murmur of agreement, though Celestia couldn't resist muttering, "Sticking together doesn't stop a comet from squashing us, but sure, why not?"
Travis rolled his eyes. "At least we'll be squashed as a team," he said dryly, earning a faint chuckle from Obsidian.
Above them, the roar reached a deafening peak. The sky outside twisted and churned, as if being torn apart. The blue comet had arrived, and whatever secrets it carried were about to change everything.
*****************************************************************************
One final message reverberated through the speakers planted across Geneara, a voice echoing:
"To those who can hear this message, to those with their cherished families or closest friends, even though this may feel like the end, do not despair, for this is only the beginning. Although our time is limited, we shall rise, for we are Geneara—the only town to have survived near-death countless times. This will only make us stronger."
The small group huddled together, clinging to one another in the hope of remaining united even in death. They quietly shared memories, striving to distract themselves from the present reality. As the countdown drew nearer and nearer—12...3—the comet collided with Geneara, and the lights went out.