Aphelion. noun. the point in the orbit of a planet or comet when it is furthest from the sun   

~Theresa~

I wander around my phone restlessly, hoping it would ring with more news. More importantly, that she would talk to me herself. I wish she won't grieve alone, but knowing my best friend, I know that's exactly what she'll be doing.

And who can blame her? It was the most unexpected thing I (and probably everyone else in Harmony) have ever heard of! Chad is Whitney's… oh my god, I still can't believe it! Whoever could think something like this would happen?

As it thunders outside, I remember how I encouraged her to make it with Chad, because they blatantly loved each other. And now it's clear, so bitter- sweet clear why they have so much in common: they are half- sister and brother…

A year ago, Whitney and I were two friends with two different fates. Mine lay dashed to pieces with my true love torn away from me, the only hope left with my unborn child. However there was plenty of hope for Whitney. She had Chad and she also had her two feet firmly on the ground- something I didn't have. Something I wish I had.  I told her all these things, yet look where we were now.

I sigh wearily and finally give in to the temptation of calling her up, when I hear the doorbell ring. I run to the door to find Fox standing out there in the pouring rain.

"Fox! Come in!" I let him into the house, closing the door after him. "Hey! You…you haven't been to the wedding? But I thought…"

"Ah, there… there was something Father wanted me to attend to. You know, uh… the opening of that new mall…" he falters, seating himself on the lounge.

"But Whitney and Chad are your friends! I would've thought you wanted to be there!"

"So? You're their friend too! Why weren't you there?"

I look at him exasperatedly. Fox damn well knows why I couldn't be there.

"You're just jarred, honey. How would you like to see the love of your life getting married to someone else? But you'll never understand coz you've never been in love!"

My impatience slowly melts into curiosity when I see a very strange look on his face.

"Oh you think you know everything, Ms Lopez- Fitzgerald. You think you know everything," he says very quietly, avoiding my eyes. "Anyway, what did you think of that? Our two buddies in love- actually turning out to be related! Ha!"

Now this is getting pretty weird…Fox is acting strange, and he sounded glad, well actually, very glad not to mention flippant, when he said this.  I wonder what's really going on…

"Fox, aren't you like, supposed to be upset about this like the rest of us?"  I ask him suspiciously.

He bites his lip and looks a little red in the face, as if he wishes he hadn't said what he just did.

"Yeah. Oh yeah, of course… I am! But come on, how often do you get to see brothers and sisters accidentally marrying each other in Harmony? Huh?" he says quickly, laughing in that irritating yet charming way of his. The face of a despicable someone else slips into my mind like poisonous honey, and this jolts me back to reality.

 "Fox? Fox. I don't get this at all. Why…why are you acting so cheerful?" I stare at him piercingly, silently pressuring him to tell me what's going on. He's my friend, but he's a Crane too. Perhaps for some mysterious reason, he might have had something to do with this whole thing…

He gazes at the carpeted floor for some minutes and finally looks up at me- defeat and anxiety written all over his face.

"Okay. I admit it. I had a hand in it, Theresa."

******

~Miguel~

"Please…please don't go! I want to know who you are! I want to see your face!"

This is the third night in a row that Charity had said these words.

On the first night, I was simply awakened by her sleepwalking, and didn't really listen to what she was saying. Charity often talked in her sleep. But yesterday night, I heard her repeating the same words, so I quietly walked into her room to make sure she was alright. And here I am again tonight, by her bedside. I usually love watching her sleep; her beautiful blonde hair softly caressing her face when she moved around; her gentle face, her sweet mouth... but I feel apprehensive just now, I feel as though I should protect her from her troubles- whatever they might be.

On hearing muffled footsteps entering Charity's darkened bedroom, I look up.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss under my breath.

"Miguel… I wanted to see if Charity's okay. She seems to… mumble quite a bit in her sleep," she says quietly, a nervous smile in her low, velvet voice.

"Well I don't think she needs you here. If you came here with other intentions, you better forget them. My eyes are wide open and I'm in no mood for you and your evil designs, Kathleen." I spit her name like a swear word and watch her flinch as if I'd just landed a punch on her.

"Please Miguel, she's my cousin- and…I… well I think she'll be alright. Maybe you should get some sleep. It's almost eleven- thirty…" she says shakily, but I cut her off.

"Kathleen, Kathleen, you don't even know how to put up a good show anymore. Your true nature shows through you, as clear as water. I can see right through you now. And I'll stay right here till morning for Charity. It's something you don't deserve from anyone, you sick, selfish bitch."

I grin sarcastically to myself as she gasps and gulps audibly. Soon I know she is sobbing silently, coz I can see the silhouette of her shuddering shoulders. I don't feel the least bit regretful of what I said. Only, it's not enough. After all she put my Charity through.

Despite my cutting words, she still stands there snivelling; feeling sorry for herself I suppose.

Then Maria's wails disturb the near stillness of midnight. But her mother makes no move to leave.

"Are you deaf? Can't you hear the kid? No one needs you here. Run along now," I say coldly, turning my back on her to face my love. I vaguely sense Kay leaving the room.

Suddenly Charity sits up on the bed, eyes glittering almost intoxicatedly, and tilts her head to the side.

"…but you will come back, won't you? I, I want you here. You can hide now," Charity whispers, turning to the window, "but soon, very soon, you won't be able to." She smiles smugly and lies back down, the smile still lingering on her face.

Suddenly, it hits me. This is no random dream, it seems real, and so I have to do something about it. I have to do something quick. Whatever happens, I'm not letting go of her. She will be the first and last person to have my heart. Charity is not only my love, she is my life. If I lose her, I'll probably also lose my will to live.

I turn to the moon that lights up my darling's face with its soft, silver gleam. And sure enough, I see a tiny shooting star gracefully falling out of the sky…

******

Thanx heaps to foxayfan, Lightfellow, justnet12000, MahoganyMiss and silverskies for their reviews. I love the suggestions! Foxay sounds like a good idea. And there'll definitely be Evian in this fic. Please keep reviewing- really appreciate and love reviews (doesn't everyone?)!

Next chapter: A surprise person (to do with something that happened in this chapter)

Read and review to find out who!