Out of this World

By TriGemini

Disclaimer: I do not own LotR, or the characters by J.R.R. Tolkein. In addition, the movie script from the LotR Trilogy belongs to Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema. Therefore, plz do not sue.

Chapter One

(Dream)

As always, this dream begins in the same place. In a roaring river and Estrella could never figure out why she would always end up there. However, like always though. That was where she would be. An icy feeling swept over her, as she tried to swim against the currents. However, she couldn't. For she felt as if, she was being pulled under. It wasn't that she was afraid of water; she just never understood the significance of what this place represented. For it never made any sense to her. So like every dream that she had. She shrugged it off. However, in the distance, she heard something…someone call her name.

(The dream ends)

"Estrella Matthews, it's time to wake up!" yelled Mrs. Matthews from outside her daughter's room. Although, as far as Estrella was concerned mornings came too early for her liking, however, she also realized that staying in bed wasn't going to be an option either. Unless she could convince her mother that she was, sick and couldn't go to school. However, she knew that wasn't going to work. For if, there was one thing that Estrella could never do. It was lie to her parents. Sure, she's tried it a couple of time, however in the end she'd just get nervous and would eventually spill the truth. Because of that, her friends would always tease her about it. For if there was always, something that they could count on from Estrella it would her complete honesty, because she had no problem telling people the truth. Even to people she didn't know. Anyways, back to this particular morning. Estrella quickly got out of bed and got dressed into something simple. Meaning a long gray shirt, with some faded blue jeans, and a pair of tennis shoes. For she was never one to get dressed up for anything, unless the occasion called for it than she would do that, other than that everything else required she for relaxation or for else for just plain fun. Because it didn't matter to her what she wore. She still looked good in whatever it was, because it the outfit happened to look good on her no matter what. She always guessed it had something to do with the way she looked. With her long waist length hair that was dark as ebony, pale skin that would, tan if, she stayed out in the sun long enough, and crystal blue eyes that shone like pools of water. However, to her it didn't really matter since she really thought about it much. As soon as she was done getting dressed, she got her backpack and headed towards downstairs. When she got there, she rushed into the kitchen noticing her mom already at the table waiting for her.

"Good morning, mom," said Estrella with a smile.

"Good morning, dear and Happy Birthday!" said her mother to her.

"Are we all set for tonight?" asked Estrella.

Her mother nodded and said, "Yes Estrella, I didn't forget that you and your friends are going on that picnic after school. So don't worry Estrella neither your father nor I, forgot about the outing today. Besides its Friday, it's normal that you'd want to spend it with your friends. So again, don't worry! Anyways, your father and I already made reservations at Del Florence so we can have that special dinner with you tomorrow to celebrate your birthday. Don't worry it will be just us, all right." Her mother said to Estrella. Who in return just nodded at everything that was being said, plus she was thinking about how much better it made everything. It's just that ever since she and her friends were small children. They would always go on a picnic to celebrate each other's birthday. Furthermore, it wasn't that she didn't want to spend her birthday with her parents. It was just that ever since the beginning of high school, her friends and herself had been celebrating on their own. Besides, she had her special dinner with her parents to celebrate. Therefore, it wasn't as if she didn't get to spend anytime with them.

"Well thanks for understanding mom like always," with that Estrella grabbed an apple, got her stuff and left the house.

For Estrella always walked to school everyday. Even in the worst of weather, for she didn't mind it. Her friends always thought it was weird that she liked to be outdoors all the time. She would always tell them that it was just apart of her nature and that's why she enjoyed it so much. Anyways, after walking two blocks from her house to the school Estrella finally got there and with time to spare before class started. She immediately found her friends, sitting in their own little private room that they had found at the beginning of the first year in high school. Nobody but them knew about the place and they always met up there before class, during lunch, and even after school. When she got to the room, she found Laurel sitting on the floor with a copy of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in her hands. Apparently, Laurel was completely oblivious to Estrella coming into the room, which was usually how it was if she was reading a good book. For Laurel would lose herself completely in it. Then there was Carlos, he was sitting in the corner of the room trying to finish his English homework. Estrella guessed that he forgot to do it the night before and was trying to have it done before he had to turn in during second period. As for Adam, he was just looking out the window near the back. He was probably waiting to see if anything excited happened outside. However, he turned around the instant he heard the door opened and closed again. Furthermore, he was the first one to notice that Estrella was in the room. Therefore, he immediately walked towards her, passing Laurel, who he hit as he walked by. Laurel for sure felt what Adam had done and scowled at him for doing it.

"Well it's about time that the Birthday Girl showed up!" said Adam in a cheerful voice.

"How long has have you all been here?" asked Estrella curiously.

"Well as always, Laurel was the first one to get here. She hasn't moved from that spot since then either," said Adam while snickering at the thought of his sister not moving for more than two hours. However, his sister on the other hand took offence to his statement.

"Hey! I heard that Adam and for your information Carlos hasn't moved from his spot either since he's gotten here," said Laurel as she pointed over to Carlos' direction.

Carlos was the last person who wanted to get into the twin's argument. So in his own defense he said,

"Will you two please leave me out of this conversation; I don't want to get involved in another one of your debates. So please stop before it starts…all right! Maybe for once we can get some peace around here."

Estrella silently agreed, for she really didn't want either Adam or Laurel to start fighting with each other. Because when the two of them started, there arguments would seem like they'd never end. Instead, Estrella decided to change the topic before world war three started.

"By the way guys I've got news. My parents are letting me leave for the outing right after school ends." Estrella said excitedly.

"Don't worry about it. The rest of us are ready, also. We'll just have to stop by the house to get the food…all right," said Adam. With that last comment in place, everybody nodded their heads in agreement and decided that it was time to get to class. Or else there would be a reason for delay if they didn't.

The day went slowly for the four friends, since they were extremely anxious to go on their outing. Around lunchtime, they all met up again in 'their' room to eat.

Laurel was once again immersed in her book. 'It would figure that she would read it again, for the thousandth time. Even if she considers it one of her favorite books,' thought Estrella to herself. Although, at this idea wasn't very surprising most of the time. After all, it wouldn't have surprised Estrella, if it had been herself sitting on the floor reading it also, since it happened to be one of her favorites, as well. As for, the guys they had read the Tolkein books, also. However, they weren't as obsessed as Laurel was, or her for that matter. When the movies came out, the girls had dragged the guys unwillingly to see all three movies. Even though, they had protested each time they went. The girls secretly knew that the boys had enjoyed it just as much as they did.

Adam at this precise moment was sitting across the floor staring at his sister. Whom he knew was completely oblivious to the entire world around her because she had her nose stuck in a book. Shaking his head in disbelief, he decided it was best to talk to Carlos and Estrella instead.

"Hey, Estrella where should we go later this afternoon for the picnic?" asked Adam. He figured that since that it was her birthday; she should get to pick the location where they'd celebrate. Estrella in return shrugged her shoulders and said,

"I don't know. Why don't we just drive around until we see where we end up?"

Again, both guys agreed to what Estrella said and Laurel was still oblivious as to what was going on around her. The bell had rung signaling the end of lunch. Thus forcing the four students to go back to the slow day they had been facing before.

Finally after a few hours and classes later, the final bell rang letting the entire school know that school was finally out. The four friends met outside by Adam's car, getting ready to leave and as usual, both Laurel and Adam were fighting about something and a few seconds later their shouts were getting louder.

"Laurel we don't even know where we're going yet," said Adam in an exasperated tone.

"Well gee, bro! I just want to make sure that we don't get lost," which Laurel said sarcastically towards her brother. With that, he just gave his sister a withering glare; she in return though did her best to stare him down, as well. At this point, both Estrella and Carlos just looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They knew it was going to be a long trip with these two in tow and not a pleasant one either. Therefore, Carlos thought it best to play referee between the two.

"Okay, you two that is enough! We really don't need this right now. It's Estrella's birthday and let's not ruin it by having a shouting match between the two of you," he said seriously. At this moment, both Laurel and Adam realized that Carlos was telling the truth and felt bad about it. They knew that sometimes their arguments got the better end of everything and decided that it was probably better to call a truce while out on the outing. Besides, they really didn't want to ruin Estrella's birthday. For it wouldn't be fair to her.

After a few hours driving through the scenic countryside, the group found themselves at the edge of a secluded area of a forest. They thought that this would be the perfect place to have the picnic. Once the car had been parked, they decided that the best spot was under a huge willow tree that was near the river. There Laurel and Carlos spread out the blankets they had brought along to sit on and both Estrella and Adam got out the food so they could eat. Laurel and Adam's mom really had out done herself in preparing the food for the picnic. She made each of them four sandwiches of various meats, with a bag of chips and a container that had dip in it. She also made a fruit salad that consisted of pineapple, oranges, tangerines, cherries, purple and green grapes, that had whip cream mixed into it. Also in a carton, there were strawberries that had been dipped into chocolate. Some short bread that was neatly tucked away into the basket. Along with some chocolate cookies and double-fudge brownies that had been baked the night before, with some ice-cold lemonade in a huge thermos, and various brands of sodas, as well. Apparently, their mother had remembered all of Estrella's favorite foods. After this little get-together, Estrella realized that she was going to have to write a long thank you letter to Laurel and Adams' mother, for she was considered a great cook, but also a great person for making this picnic basket. After eating the delectable food, the four friends decided to hangout for a while before having to head back home.

"So what do guys think of this place?" asked Adam in a laid-back tone.

"Not bad, dear brother! At least, you didn't get us lost, "commented Laurel.

"I'm hurt sis! You seem to lack faith in my abilities," said Adam in a mock hurtful tone.

Laurel on her part just rolled her eyes at her brother. Both Estrella and Carlos figured that this was as friendly, as these two were going to get. While continuing their walk, Estrella on her part came to a halt. Carlos however looked over at her confused and asked what was wrong with her.

"Why'd you stop Estrella?" asked Carlos curiously. Estrella however kept silent for a moment.

"Do you hear that?" asked Estrella everyone around her. However, everybody else just looked at each other because they couldn't figure out what was going on.

"Hear what Estrella?" asked Laurel inquiringly. She was starting to get worried for her best friend. Estrella however started to walk off in another direction. For she was curious about where that noise was coming from, yes it was a bad habit to be curious. However, she couldn't help it.

"It sounds like water," she said, as she led them to where the river was.

"Hey, anybody up for a dip?" joked Adam as he looked ready to jump in. Laurel however, groaned at this comment. For some reason, she thought her brother would actually have grown up for a moment. However, at the comment he made, she lost all hope for him. Therefore, she did the only thing that came to her at this moment she pushed her brother into the river. She figured that if he really wanted to get wet and take a swim. He had gotten his wish. For as soon as the splash had been heard, both Estrella and Carlos looked at Laurel as if she'd lost her mind. However, her only defense was,

"He deserved it."

Adam on his part was furious with his sister. Sure, he enjoyed swimming very much. However, he didn't expect his own sister to push him into the river. Therefore, in retaliation, he stood out as if to grab her hand and instead yanked her in with him into the cold water. Laurel shrieked when her brother grabbed her hand and pulled her in. Again, Estrella and Carlos just looked at the both of them as if they had lost their minds. However, in the end though they just wound up laughing at them instead. For a moment, both Adam and Laurel had completely forgotten that they had an audience. Although, when they heard their friends' laughter, they both decided that they needed to cool off, as well. For Laurel made a grab for Carlos, while Adam did the same to Estrella and in two seconds flat they too wound up in the river with the twins. It took awhile to register what had happened. However, the four friends thought it was funny. That was until something started to happen without warning.

A/N: I own the characters Estrella, Adam, Laurel, Carlos, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, and any other character that appears later on. Here is Ch. 2. For those who reviewed the last time. Tell me what you think. However, just so everyone knows. This is my story and the way I write it is the way I think it should be written. Okay!