Celestial

  * * *

  The outskirts of town whizzed by, the reflective mirrors almost blinding. The panels made the city brighter, but they were also boring to look at and a potential driving hazard when they reflected the sunlight.

  My phone rang. Thoughtlessly I answered, assuming it would be well-wishers.

  "I know you went to see him," Oliver said, his voice angry.

  "Oliver, I'm single. I can see whoever I want," I replied, calmly.

  "No you can't," he stated. "I got you this far and I can take you out. We will be going to The Pageant together and we are going to win and become the Potentates of Tealé."

  "Not going to happen," I responded. "My life is no longer your concern. We are over."

  "You don't get to dump me, you stupid bitch," he screamed into the phone.

  I hung up, my heart pounding in my ears. Clutching the steering wheel, I took some calming breaths. Henrietta's comet blazed slowly across the sky; my lucky star had heralded my break-up with Oliver and being in The Pageant all in one day.

  My phone rang again. Seeing Oliver's caller ID, I ignored it.

  A text flashed onto the screen. "You don't get to dump me."

  The sound of scraping metal filled my ears. I jerked the wheel, trying to regain control of my spinning car. Spraying glass, heat and the sound of crunching surrounded me.

  Then it was dark.