Interstellar Heroes: Rosslyn and Paige's Epic Quest

When I was young, I read a lot of books.

I still do, but more for the fact that I've got an unhealthy obsession with them. These days, it's about as healthy as an addiction to cigarettes and alcohol. I start reading one thing and find myself unable to put it down until I've finished it. Don't get me wrong though, there are still a few that I read for pleasure more than anything else, but most of my time is spent either learning about something or getting lost in someone else's world for what feels like hours.

It's not my fault really. I have a very introverted personality, which means that when I'm not reading or writing (which is rare), my brain goes into overdrive and drives me insane by giving me thoughts that just run around like headless chickens. It's not really a good thing, especially when you're trying to sleep at night because it just gives you these weird dreams that seem too real and make you feel anxious or anxious-er when you wake up and realise they weren't real.

Anyway... That's why I was currently sat in the library surrounded by books, completely oblivious to the world around me. To be specific, I was sat on a bench between two large shelves filled with books about mythology of all kinds and a small selection of fantasy novels that were set in our own galaxy. The hardwood bench was warm against my back from the sun beating through the windows on this beautiful summer day, but it didn't bother me since I felt cold almost all year round anyway.

I sighed out loud as I leaned my head back against the shelves behind me and looked up at the ceiling before closing my eyes with a sigh of relief at finally being able to rest them without being interrupted by another strange person who wanted to talk at me for hours about some book series he enjoyed reading (and would probably never finish).

I'd been sitting there for about half an hour already when my peace was disturbed by footsteps walking towards me from behind one of the bookcases. Oh no! Not another one of those idiots! Where is everyone?! Why can't people leave me alone?!

I gritted my teeth as I reached for my earphones on my lap so that I could listen to some music while this person annoys me with his conversation about whatever fangirl-ish shit he wanted to tell me about his favourite show.

"Hey!" A male voice called out as he walked past one of the bookcases and came into view only a few feet away from where I sat glaring at him in annoyance. He smiled brightly at me before ducking down behind another shelf and moving back towards me again with a big grin on his face. "You're Paige Hastings right?"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise as he came into full view again. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a black T-shirt with orange lettering saying 'Hogwarts School' across his chest with a picture of a cartoon wizard below it who looked like he'd been drawn by someone who had never seen a human before. "How... How did you know that?"

He shrugged casually as he moved closer still and crouched down next to where I sat, looking kind of excited all of a sudden. "Because you're famous! You're Rosslyn Navarro's friend! The one who went missing last month!" He smiled excitedly at me as if we were suddenly best friends because we both knew Rosslyn Navarro - she happened to be one of the most famous actresses in history after all! "Are you here because your girlfriend needs help? Are you here looking for her?!"

"What? No! Who are you?" My heart skipped a beat in fear as he looked so excited at the thought of finding someone so famous missing, but calmed down slightly when he waved his hands animatedly at the question before answering it himself.

"Oh right! Sorry!" He exclaimed apologetically before standing up straight again and sticking out his hand towards me enthusiastically. "I'm Ben Caldwell! And you are?"

"Uh... Emily." I answered shakily as I took his hand awkwardly before letting go quickly again and looking down at the floor nervously. What on earth was going on today?! First Rosslyn disappears for no reason whatsoever, now this random guy shows up out of nowhere claiming to know her well enough to recognise her friends? "So how do you know Rosslyn so well anyway?"