THE MOON OF MARS

EPISODE ONE PART ONE

♀♀

EPISODE ONE

THE MODERN MARY CHRIST

~

Friday, February 9th, 2008

South Ypsi

7:10 am

VEHICLES DRIVE UP THE SLIPPERY HILLS OF COLOMBIA AVENUE. Some speed through the unset snow, uncaring about potential ice hidden in the banks. More sensible people, like Moeko Kaye Abe, drive carefully between the colorful cape cods. The young Asian girl comes north to Rawsonville Road, where the hill dips to water level and rises again. She takes that road to I-94, going north towards Ann Arbor while blasting an alternative rock station. She speeds down the ramp and onto the freeway, reaching for her Samsung Omnia to check the time.

"Crucify, then learn." The lead sings, immediately followed by the rapid lyrics of another woman. "Sit and watch me burn." She sings slowly and painfully while the rap zips from speaker to speaker. Moeko allows the repeating chorus of 'Brackish' by Kittie until she nears close to exit 183. Once she passes Ford Lake, entering the city of Ypsilanti, she switches stations, allowing the R&B to fill the silence. She steadily peels off the ramp of I-94, following the stretch to Ypsi Drive. Dead forestry blocks Downtown Ypsilanti on the right like a massive dirt cloud under the white sky. The radio plays the next song where Moeko instantly cringes at the first keynote. She's so sick of 'So Sick' by Ne-Yo. Love songs don't hurt her anymore. She presses a button to switch to the disk. Panic! At The Disco's song, 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies', is already to the chorus. Moeko chimes in with a,

"... haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door!? No, it's much better to face these kinds of things, with a sense of poise and rationality!" Her voice is clear and breathy, high but not pitchy. She reaches the red light, continuing to sing. "I chime in, 'Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door. No..." her voice lowers upon feeling her Omnia vibrate in her pocket. She pulls it out, anime keychain hitting her hand, and sees a message from her best friend, Sasha Greyhound.

Bestie: 'im at the library boo'

Moeko goes at the sight of the green light. She whips her beige Town and Country Minivan left, speeding to forty down the long road. Passing the Kroger and mini strip stores, Ypsi Drive turns into Whittaker then whirls around a three-way roundabout. The road stretches further, never-ending fields of white with the occasional 'YTown' sign. That's how she knew she was in South Ypsi, the city's little sister. About a mile down, she slows and turns into the modern-contemporary built library, parking right next to a handicap spot and her best friend's yellow Dodge.

The foyer inside looks like a massive keyhole into the library. It's beautifully decorated with muted colors and fine woods. There's a high ceiling before walking through the keyhole with abstract artwork painted into the walls. Moeko breaks for the bathroom to the immediate left. Inside, she runs for the toilet, sighing heavily once her ass hits the seat. She pees a long stream before flushing, heading to the sink to wash her hands. It was then she looked in the mirror and unzipped her red coat. There, she noticed her shirt rose from her budge. A parasite grows in her rounded belly, causing her belly button to stick out slightly. Again, she sighs and picks her Omnia out her pocket. She takes a picture of herself in the mirror, then one with the front camera. Looking at the pictures, she scrolls to older ones where she was skinny as a stick. The first day she took these specific pictures, her stomach was sunken flat, and her breast were an C-cup. Now she felt fat and wore a thirty-two D bra. She wasn't mad at her chest, but sad at her mistake.

The door opens, startling Moeko. Once her green eyes lay on the girl, she's frightened deeper. Sasha Greyhound stood in the doorway still as a board. Her brown eyes wide on Moeko's stomach, mouth dropped to her rainbow Nikes. Her hand releases the door to cover her mouth. "Moeko..."

My heart beats on top of my baby. I pinch my face, trying to hold in tears. The only thing I could do was nod my head and cry.

Sasha frowns and hugs me with no words. She pulls away eventually, holding my arms as she asks, "What happened?" She backs away, looking down at my belly. "Is it Vehren's?"

I nod again. "Yeah, it's Vehren's."

"Wait, you look far..."

"I'm almost twenty weeks pregnant." I smile. "It's a girl."

Her jaw falls once more. "A girl?! Oh my God!" She gasps hard. "You're really pregnant..." Sasha shakes her head. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to believe it myself. I thought..." My voice trails off.

"What is it?" She lowers her head to look directly into my eyes.

"Remember when I said I had a dark secret when we first met?'

Her hands slap her mouth. "You're about to tell me the secret?!"

I nod slowly. "It's not fun or funny."

"I figured, you never wanted to talk about it. Couldn't even trust me, which I thought was silly but... here we are."

My eyes lower. "It really isn't anything groundbreaking." They go back up her height. "This isn't my first time being pregnant."

Sasha frowns. "Girl, what? You literally turn seventeen tomorrow. When did you get pregnant before?"

"Twelve." My arms fold under my breasts.

Her drawn eyebrows widen. "No f*****g way."

"My tutor r***d me." That one hurt to say.

"f**k, Moeko. I'm so sorry. What happened to the baby?"

"Abortion." I look down again. "My parents don't know. They just think I'm depressed and gained weight. But... I can't hide this anymore from them."

"They don't know?" Sasha c***s her brow. "Then how do you know it's a girl?"

"Vehren's mom helped me find a doctor on my own." My hand touches the slanted top of my belly. My throat squeezes. "I'm really struggling."

"It's okay, girl. Imma help you out. We besties, that's what we do." She wraps her arms around me, suffocating me on her large chest.

"Thank you, Sasha." I pull back from her, rubbing a single tear from my eyes. "I don't know what to do now that me and Vehren are broken up. I thought I'd come up with a plan by my birthday but.." I sigh, shaking my head. "I'm clueless."

"I'm gonna do my best to help. If you need a place to stay, you're welcome to stay at my place."

"Your mom won't mind?"

She scrunches her nose. "f**k her. She been on some s**t lately, but I'm not worried. You're more important."

I smile, "Thank you. I was scared you'll hate me if you learned I killed my baby."

She blinks. "It... it wasn't your fault. You were a kid."

"But you're against abortion."

"This was a special circumstance. I can't be mad at you." She looks down at my belly. "It would be a different story now. But back then? At twelve? And you had no say?" She shakes her head. "Baby girl, don't beat yourself up."

I nod, tears rushing back. "Thank you." My voice cracks.

"Come here, girlie." Sasha hugs me again. "You're gonna be okay. Come on, let's get out this stinky bathroom." Her arm wraps around me and we leave together. "You sure Vehren is the father?"

I nod. "Yeah, he's the only person I actually wanted to have s*x with."

"That fucker." Sasha growls. We enter the huge foyer. "I'll rip his d**k off."

"He wants to get back with me."

"Oh, f**k no." She scoffs hard, unwrapping her arm as we go through the metal detectors. "He can go f**k himself." Sasha lowers her voice.

I do the same. "I have no idea what to do." I follow her up the long staircase.

"Do what's right for you, girl. He ain't right in the head, anyway."

My eyes glance over the banister as we reach the top. Its height gives me vertigo, so I go back to Sasha. "But he's the father, now."

"Does he know?" She sits by the tilted window that touched the ceiling and floor. Outside is forestry covered with snow.

"Yeah, I told him on Christmas."

"s**t. How did he react?"

"He cried and had a complete breakdown." A child cries from the stairs. I turn to face the black woman holding her screaming son. She tells him to quiet down as she passes us to the fireplace. My head lowers. "He's scared."

"I know you're scared too."

"I am." I look at her, then to the time on the big clock. "I should get to school."

"Me too. Thanks for confiding in me." Sasha stands up and hugs me. "You are my bestest friend."

"You are mine too." I peel back. "Still coming to my dinner Sunday?"

"I wouldn't miss it for anything." Her hand rubs my upper arm. "You're going to be okay. Especially now that I know."

"Right." I bob my head, walking slowly towards the stairs. "How's your boyfriend?"

"Good. He got a scholarship to U of M through football."

"That's awesome." I lead down the stairs with her behind me.

"How's cosmetology?"

"It's good. I'm having a lot of fun." We walk through the massive keyhole and through the front doors. Cold air slaps us both in the face. We bundle our coats, walking in silence to our cars. "I'll see you at my dinner, Sasha." I give her another hug.

"I'll see you, babe." We separate, her going to her Dodge and me to my Town and Country. I start my car, looking over to Sasha. She calls someone as she pulls back, doesn't even notice me looking. When she leaves, I leave too, and we go our separate ways.

♀♀

8:09 am

The halls of South Ypsi High School are so long and complex that each hall had its own street name. Some names were based on the section they were in, such as Tech Avenue-where Moeko's locker is-being in the Tech District. Tech Avenue was at the entrance to the school where the computer labs and science classes were. The hall lead to the main hall, South Trojan Avenue, which stretches to the end of the school, having branches of halls extending from it. Upstairs was North Trojan Avenue, the Freshman's territory.

Above the Tech District is the library, where Moeko enters, twin, older women sort through newly delivered books in silence. She can hear only the clacking of keys from across the dimly lit room. The teen approaches the low desk with a gentle smile. "Hello, Ms. and Ms. Groesbeck." She sings.

Both women smile warmly. They're identical aside from hair and wardrobe styles. The one on the left had a blonde bob-cut to her cheeks, wearing a yellow sundress with tan stockings and Uggs. On the right wore a blouse, khakis, and sneakers, having her long, matching hair pulled back in a ponytail. Both wore glasses, and both spoke like mice. "Good morning, Moeko." The Left Twin says in a near whisper.

The Right Twin somehow sounds softer than the left. "How are you, Moeko?"

I shrug slightly. "Alright, I guess. Tired, I got a little sleep last night. How are you two?"

The Left Twin glares at the right. "Rose kept me up all night with her sleepwalking again." Her blue eyes narrow.

Rose scoffs, "You know it's not my fault, Eilish!" Her whisper isn't nearly a shout. "It's the Zoloft."

"Zoloft?" I c**k my brow. "Zoloft makes you sleepwalk?"

"No." Eilish folds her arms. "It causes insomnia. She's got something else."

"Good." I exhale. "I take Zoloft."

"You do?" Rose perks up, then simmers down. "I'm sorry you suffer from depression, too."

"The Zoloft helps." I softly chuckle.

"Moe!" a female voice calls from the corridor.

I turn to see a very familiar face, gasp, and giddily skip to hug Summer Gaye. She's been gone for two weeks on family vacation. We collide tightly. My voice muffled in a cashmere sweater. "I miss you!"

"I miss you!" She says as we peel apart. Her French manicured hand brushes the bleach-blonde bang out of her silver-blue eyes. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course I did." Her hands let go, and she gives me some space. I ask, "How was Hawaii?"

"I'll explain once we find everyone." Summer glances at the corridor. "Especially Rhys." She goes outside the library, and I follow.

My brow c***s, "Rhys? I thought he went with you?"

Her head shakes wildly. "Nope. My parents said no. He took advantage of my big mouth and stayed home for two weeks." She chuckles, pressing her palms against her big chest. "He wouldn't get off the phone with me the entire time."

"Lucky bastard." I huff.

"He's unlucky without me!' Summer sings, yanking her iPhone from her white Louis Vuitton bag. She texts on the tiny screen, "Where. Are. You? Sent!" The energetic girl wide eyes me. "How are you?"

"Tired." I say nonchalantly.

Her face softens. "Awe. You need melatonin, babe. I'll have my mom get a script for you."

I smirk. "Thanks. I could use that."

Summer's iPhone buzzes in her hand. "She checks the message then peeps down North Trojan. "Oh!" She points down the hall to the girl with Rapunzel long hair strolling to North University where the upper-level lockers are. "There's Marisol."

As I scan through the growing crowd, Summer speeds past me, grabbing my hand to drag me along. We shove freshmen until we go past Mrs. Lange's class to the wide window. Marisol Adams shoves her leather winter coat into the slender, green locker as we approach. She throws up a peace sign to us. "Hey." Her hand drops. "Welcome back, Summer." There's a Spanish accent to her low voice.

Summer's head tilts. "Miss me?"

"Not really." Marisol smiles. "Yes, bitch." They go in for a small hug. I happen to look right, just as Rhys Thompson rises up the back stairs with his two fat posse behind him.

"Oh," I poke Summer's shoulder and point. "There's Rhys."

Summer gasps dramatically, screaming, "BABY!!" she abandons us for her new boyfriend, running to smooch his lips.

"I bet that puta didn't bring gifts." Marisol sneers with a smirk. Her dark eyes go to my hazel. "How are you, Moeko?"

"Already tired of that question." I rub my bump. "My baby is fine by the way."

"I was going to ask about 'blank'."

"Blank?"

"She has no name, right? Have you thought of some?"

My eyes lowers. "I wanted to wait to talk to Vehren."

Marisol tilts her head down. "She is your baby, Moeko. You're carrying her, not him." She looks both ways before asking, "Where is Vehren?"

I shrug. "I don't know."

"Exactly. Don't wait for his loco ass." Marisol frowns, then smirks. "I think 'Celeste' is pretty." Her eyes drag to Summer, who had Rhys pinned to the lockers. They roll to the back of her head and down her long, Latina locks that reach the back of her knees.

"I'll have to think about it." My eyes wonder again, this time left. A girl in her cheer jacket forces me to nearly vomit up my throat.

"Ew." I groan.

"What?" Marisol looks in my direction as I eye her. Summer skips between us her face pinches. "Ew."

Summer c***s her brow. "What?" She follows Marisol's eyeline and gasps. "Lillian!!"

"Goddammit, Summer." Marisol sighs deeply. Summer ignores her and I, skipping to Lillian Hart and her companion, Muah Johnson. "Gross. Why is she like this?"

"I have no idea."

"I'm not going over there." Marisol protests.

As they hug, I toss my head back. "We have to. Summer will be mad if we just abandoned her."

Marisol thinks for a moment before accepting defeat. "f**k. Fine. Lead the way, chicka."

I do so, pushing a freshman out of the way and making sure she's behind me. We stand behind Summer, directly in the eyeline of Lillian. A black hijab covers her naturally brown hair. I latch onto her brown eyes. Her cheer-friend beside her, Muah, goes on to Summer about her vacation in Miami, Florida. Until Lillian wants the microphone.

"Shut up, Muah!" Lillian cuts her off, glaring back at me. Muah gives her a confused look before jetting her dark eyes to mine. They roll as Lilian doesn't give Marisol the luxury of her glare. "Hey, Moeko. Marisol." Her eyes stay on mine. "How are you?" She tilts her head flamboyantly.

I refrain from rolling my eyes. "I'm okay."

"How's life treating you?" The tone in her voice is passive aggressive.

"Who needs sleep?" I force a smile.

"You're not sleeping? That's so unfortunate."

"Cut the bitchy tone, Lillian." Marisol comes before Summer and me.

Lillian holds her manicured and ringed hand up. "I'm being cordial. You watch your tone, Marisol."

Marisol clicks on her tongue. "You don't get to boss me around anymore, ex-captain."

She tilts her head. "And you get to boss me around now? Please, b***h. Don't make me drag you across the court like last time."

"Is that an invitation for an ass whooping?" Marisol smirks.

"Guys, come on." Summer points her thumb at Marisol. "She's about to lose prom if she gets in any more trouble. And you," she stares at Lillian, "you're about to lose me. Seriously guys, stop. Volleyball season is over."

"It's not about volleyball." Marisol faces Summer. "It's the constant disrespect. You never get a break with this bitch."

Lillian smiles. "If you don't like me, you can leave."

"Can I?" Marisol faces her body towards the stairs. "'Cause I will."

"Don't." Summer says to Marisol. "We're going. I was just wanted to give you this." She goes into her purse pulling out a magenta small baggie. "It's a gift. Don't open it until we leave." The blonde gives Lillian a somber look.

Lillian gives her one in return, gripping the bag in her manicured hands. "You're right." She folds the bag under her arms and glances at the unusually silent Muah. "I'm sorry, Moeko. I really didn't mean to treat you like crap this last season."

My eyes lower, scanning up to the heated Marisol and back to our ex-captain. "I'm not offended. But Marisol deserves an apology."

Lillian huffs a small smile. "I'm not ready to give one." Her eyes jet to our friend. "It was nice seeing you, Summer." I break away from the group, first to reach the split stairs. Marisol follows, then Summer.

We go down in silence, landing on the lower level of University. Cutting the corner, the smell of sausage and eggs fills the air. I stop and look up back at Summer. "Why are you her friend still?"

Summer sighs as she comes by my side. "She needs friends." She continues forward to the cafeteria.

Marisol walks on the other side of me. "She needs a therapist."

"She has a therapist." Summer frowns.

"She does?" Marisol widens her eyes dramatically. "I'm over it. We graduate in a couple of months, and we're done with volleyball."

"Thank god." I say, briefly glancing into the study nook we pass. "I'll continue in college."

"Madonna University still?" Summer asks as we reach the entrance of the cafeteria. Students pack the Trojan Corner as usual.

"Yeah." I say, shoving through teenagers, able to breathe at Dawg Diner. Everyone looks like sardines trying to create space on the benches. My eyes search the crowd, looking for a specific redhead. Summer dives into the crowd, going around benches to the middle. Marisol and I follow, walking down the row of garbage cans. We take opposite sides of the table. Her hand touches Rhys, who sits with the rest of the fat Meatheads. Their area is full of food, primarily meat, snacks, and Gatorade. Down to the middle, the rest of our squad welcomes us.

Crystal Bruham sat next to Rhodi Hernandez. Rhodi sat across from Penelope Peoples. I sit next to Crystal, giving her a small hug as I do. Marisol plops next to me, as Summer gently descends by Rhodi. She looks around, saying, "We're missing someone." Her eyes roll. "She's always late. I won't wait for her."

"For what?" I ask.

"For gifts!"

"Christmas was two months ago." Penny says, fixing her glasses.

"It's always Christmas with me. I'm f*****g Santa."

"You're f*****g Santa or are you f*****g Santa?" Crystal laughs.

"Both." Summer goes into her bookbag. "Anyway, your gifts are special to you. I put them in bags with your favorite colors. " She pulls out the first bag, its black and for Marisol.

"Is that mine?" She asks as Summer hands her the gift.

"Don't open it yet. I want you all to open it at once." She gives the next green bag to Rhodi. A white one for Crystal, and purple for Penny. I was the last to retrieve a gift from the bottom of the bag. Mine is yellow, and I take it with a bow.

"Arigato, Summer." I smile. "Can we open our gifts?"

"Go ahead." She nods. We all pick the small, matching boxes out of the bags. I examine the glittery miniature box, but I'm startled by a loud gasp before I could open it. I look up to Rhodi holding a gold necklace with a butterfly charm. At the center is her team number five.

"No way." Marisol says, quickly opening the top to see the same thing. Except hers has the number four.

Crystal puts on hers, allowing the third digit to dangle over her pale collarbone. "It's beautiful, Summer."

"I have my own too. We'll be a team forever." She goes in her pocket to yank out her own little box.

"Did you pay for this yourself?" Penny looks at the number eight.

"Mom helped front the bill, but I paid for most of it, yes. It's real gold. We've played for four years together. I'm not getting my sisters something cheap." Summer holds the butterfly between her fingers, showcasing the bold two.

"This is amazing." I stare at my number. Lillian assigned six to me because I played back defense. Our numbers count from whose closest to the net, Lillian being number one as setter.

"You'd be able to pay for all of it if you worked at Mickey D's with me and Marisol." Rhodi chuckles. "Er'body there and they pay crazy good."

Summer side-eyes the Latina girl. "I like Leo's. It's enough for me."

"B-Dubs could do better." I chime in.

"Not unless you're a server." Penny crosses her leg over the other. "I have a few bills, but I can buy whatever I want."

"Lucky. You have to be eighteen to be a server." My eyes roll. "That's a whole 'nother year for me."

"Speaking of which. Happy early birthday, Moeko!" Summer pinches my cheeks from across the table.

I smile. "Thank you."

"What're you doing for your birthday?" Penny asks.

"Just a dinner with family." My hand rubs up my arm. "I want to make a special announcement."

"What's that?"

"I'm pregnant." My eyes lower.

Each of the girls stare at me for a long period of time until Rhodi broke the silence. "What?"

I nod, looking at Marisol. Marisol confirms with her own head nod. Summer looks at the table. Rhodi notices Summer's eyes and frowns. "You two knew?"

"Yeah." Summer says. "It was a surprise to us too."

"No f*****g way." Penny folds her arms.

I stand up and show my belly, looking around to make sure no one else was watching. Quickly, I sit down. "I'm almost eighteen weeks."

"She's the modern Mary Christ." Marisol jokes.

"No way. What the f**k?" Rhodi frowns. "Who's the dad?"

"Vehren Voegeli. My ex-boyfriend."

"Oh shit." Crystal's mouth remains dropped.

"Does your parents know?" Rhodi asks urgently.

"No. That's the announcement I'm going to make." I smirk. "Happy birthday to me."

"This is too much." Rhodi shakes her head. "You barely made it to seventeen."

"I'm aware, Rhodi." I frown. "I'm not happy about it either."

"What're you gonna do?"

I chuckle. "I have no idea." The second bell rings.

"I better get to class." Penny stands up. "I'm really shocked right now."

"Please don't tell anyone. I don't need the whole school to know right now."

"I'm not gonna say anything." Penny says.

"Me neither." Crystal rises.

"I might contact The New York Times." Rhodi smirks. "Don't worry, girlie. You'll be fine."

I smile. "Thank you." I look over to see a redhead speeding to our table. She makes it with an exhale.

"Phew. I got to see you guys before class." Isavella Veselov flashes a gap between her front teeth. "Hi, guys."

"We're just leaving." Summer gets up, handing her a red gift bag. "It's a gift for our friendship."

Isavella looks at my chest and to the box. She opens it to reveal the lucky number seven on her locket. "Oh s**t. That's so cool." Her light brown eyes widen. "This is perfect."

"I know. And it's a butterfly. Your favorite s*x symbol." Summer laughs.

"Sure is." Isavella looks down to me. "Walk me to class, Moe?"

"Yeah." I stand, saying bye to everyone and following Isavella out of Dawg Diner. We reach the stairwell before I stop her. "There's something I need to tell you."

She tilts her head. "Chto?"

"I'm pregnant." My eyes lower. "Please don't be mad."

"Um... why would I be mad? You had s*x if anything I'm jealous."

I lower my eyes at her. "It's not all it's cracked up to be."

"It totally is." She chuckles. "Are you getting an shhmortion?"

My heart sinks. "No, I'm seventeen weeks pregnant."

"Damn, you're far. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was afraid you'll judge me."

Isavella c***s her head back. "Moe, come on. You know I have no right to judge anyone."

"I know, but I'm just scared."

"It's okay to be scared. Is Vehren the father?"

"Yeah."

"Oof, you got a workload coming." She smiles. "Please cheer up. It's okay. You're a strong girl, I'm sure you'll figure it out. If anything, you'll be the perfect mom."

I smile. "Thanks, IV."

"You're welcome. Now let's get to algebra."