Skye sighed as she watched the scenery roll by out the window of the train. A few days ago, she and her brother, Jax, had made it into Starshine Academy, the most elaborate, hi-tech, productive, efficient, and comfortable academy in Alpha Centauri, their country. Skye looked over at her brother, who was slouching over his Stardust gamer like a sleeping cat. “Hey, Jax, what game are you playing?” Jax didn’t respond but tilted his device so that Skye could read the title. Skye scanned the words on it. They read: ‘Mega Pigs Two’. Skye could also see a character (presumably Jax) fighting gigantic pigs with lasers. An announcement came over the speakers.
“Attention ladies and gentlemen, next stop is Starshine Academy. I repeat, next stop is Starshine Academy.” The speaker clicked off. “Jax, our stop is next,” Skye said. “Mm-hm,” Jax replied, not looking up from his gamer. Skye narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t going to help him if he forgot to get off the train. That was his problem. Suddenly, the train doors hissed open, and another announcement came over the speakers. “This is Starshine Academy. All passengers headed for Starshine Academy please exit the train. Thank you.” Skye looked over at Jax, still hunched over his gamer, shrugged, and walked off the train. When she exited, she was met with a blinding light that she had to use her hand to shield her eyes from. After her eyes adjusted, she tried to find the source of the light. When she found it, she nearly fell over from shock. The source was the Starshine Academy building. It glittered and glitzed like glitter in a blender, reflecting the sun’s light. THAT was the academy?
Her eyes flitted across the building, instinctively finding details. It was made of lavender stone, with three spires at the top. There were also glass double doors stained purple. There was something about it that radiated elegance and simplicity, even though Skye knew that ‘simplistic’ was hardly the word to describe it. Skye could see three main buildings, but she thought she saw more behind the first three. Skye took a deep breath to take it all in. “Whoa,” Jax’s voice said from behind her. Skye jumped, startled. She turned around and found Jax right behind her. “Wait-I-I just-I saw-you were,“ Skye sputtered. Jax shrugged. “I got off the train behind you,” he said simply. “Well, I guess we better get to the Academy.” And he started walking towards the dazzling building, with Skye looking wide-eyed after him.