When All The Stars Align

✦ PROLOGUE ✦

"Reginald Eugenia Bertha Reynolds, jump off this fucking cliff before I strap you to a brick, push you off and watch you drown," Ronnie shouted some of the most encouraging words of the century.

I rolled my eyes, "Gee, thanks for the support. And that's not my name, Ronald Malcolm Intestine Tabile."

He scoffed, "Intestine? I thought you were more creative than that, I win this round."

"Oh, would you two shut up, it's my turn next and if you keep holding up the line I will slap both of your asses to Jupiter," Izzy's burning eyes squinted at me. I'm not even the one who started it, shouldn't she be glaring at Ronnie too? Sibling love, am I right?

"You know how much I hate to agree with your sister, Reggie, but she's right. Get your butt off this cliff," Sal added in, earning a glare from Izzy.

"Ten... Nine..." Ronnie began counting down as I braced myself, "Eight... Seven... Six..." Izzy and Sal had joined in now, "Five... Four... Three... Two... One..." and with that, I jumped from the top of the cliff.

My stomach dropped to my toes as the air rushed past me. It wasn't warm, even though it was summer, and when I hit the water goosebumps sprang upon every inch of my body. Shivers traveled through my spine as I swam up for air. Adrenaline rushing through my body.

"WOOOOHHOOOOOO!" I shouted at the top of my lungs once I had caught my breath.

I had to admit, this had been one of the best birthdays I had ever had. After a miserable week of sad goodbyes, my friends had decided to plan me a huge day out, or as huge as it could get when you lived on an island with a population of 6,822. It had been incredible, after all, you don't turn 16 every day.

"Move out the fucking way! It's my turn!" Izzy screamed down at me from the top and I flipped her off in return. I suppose it was her birthday too (that's the only reason why she tagged along on our day out, after all, she did hate my friends and by friends I mean Sal. She definitely had a thing for Ronnie) but that doesn't mean I have to be nice to her. I'm beginning to regret not wrapping the umbilical cord around her neck in the womb, it would have saved me hours of arguing.

"Alright, alright I'm moving!" I shouted back and began swimming to the shore. What a bitch.

As I got out of the water, I was sure my lips were turning blue. It felt like someone had shoved me in a freezer for 2 days. I needed a good defrosting.

I began to climb up the steep and rocky cliff again, watching carefully where I stepped. It had rained earlier, so the rocks were still a little slippery.

"Careful, there's a really slippery rock coming up!" Ronnie warned as I continued to climb, and sure enough, there was a rock where I almost slipped but I caught myself. Probably wasn't the best day to go cliff jumping but hey-ho.

Once I made it up to the top, I watched as Ronnie pushed a trembling Sal closer to the edge.

"You know, for forcing me to jump when it was my turn, you sure don't like the same thing happening to you," I smirked, sitting down on a rock and grabbing a bottle of water.

"You know, maybe Ronnie should go first, you know. Just to test the waters," Sal shivered as she looked over the edge.

I chuckled at her, "There are no sharks, or man-eating squids, or gaping black holes that will submerge you-"

"Not helping, Reg."

"You know what will help," I gave both Sal and Ronnie an evil grin, "This!" I chucked the bottle of water aside and sprinted towards the two of them, wrapping my arms around them then jumped off the edge, plunging once again into the cold water.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" Sal said playfully as we emerged from the water, splashing me as she did.

I smiled, "Love you too."

"Last one to the top has to buy the ice creams!" Ronnie shouted as I swam to the shore.

Of course, both Sal and I swam as fast as our legs could carry us and pulled ourselves out of the water.

"You're all a bunch of big baby's!" Izzy teased as we sprinted past her, sat on the shore with her feet swinging in the water.

I didn't answer, I was too focused on the free ice cream. Both Ronnie and Sal were ahead of me and I was not going to let that happen! I ran as fast as my legs could carry me and began to climb the cliff.

Yes! I was catching up!

One foot after the other I pulled myself up the cliff, my arms aching. I was so, so close.

I scanned my area for a good place to put my foot and found a nice-looking piece of rock sticking out the wall.

I placed my foot on the rock and began to pull myself up even further but I found myself flying backward, my hands releasing from their holds and my whole body flying free. Air passed around my body at lightning speed and I felt myself falling and falling. I heard my name being yelled from the top of the cliff but it was too late. I had hit the floor with a bang, and it all went black.

✦✦✦

Okey-dokey, what are we thinking? Are we liking it? There's not much to like right now but I'm sure you will like it because I've got to say this is my favourite book I've ever worked on (shhh don't tell the others!). Anyways I'm glad you chose to give this book a chance, it means a lot to me シ