Image by pizar almaulidina from Pixabay

Adralys was excited. Tonight was one of the rarest stellar events in her tiny solar system. The planets were all going to be in complete alignment. The few mystic orders were pronouncing some great cosmic event was going to occur. The rest of those who were interested in space, like her, were just excited that a once in a 15,000 year chance event was going to occur during their lifetimes.

Adralys anxiously watched the weather. There were a few clouds but the meteorologist assured the avid skywatchers that they were going to clear up before the major event that night. “I don’t know what you’re so excited about,” her brother Sammuil said disaparagingly. “It’s just a bunch of floating rocks in a line.”

“Sam, it’s not just a bunch of floating rocks. It’s the planets all in perfect alignment and it’ll be visible to the naked eye. I won’t even need my telescope to see it,” Adralys told him. “This is exciting!”

“You know your brother isn’t into astronomy, Lys,” their father said, shaking his head at his two very different children. “He likes sports and the physical stuff. You’re the one who’s into science.”

“Yeah, I know.” Adralys sighed. Having a twin brother should have been great. It wasn’t. The two were so dissimilar, no one believed they were actually twins, even though they looked almost identical if you overlooked the fact that Adralys was a girl.

“I don’t see why I have to give up the backyard to her stupid party. I was planning on having some of the guys over to play arcball tonight. It’s one of the best nights for it. We’re going to have a full moon,” Sammuil complained to his father.

“Sam, we already told you. Your sister has been looking forward to this all year. You can put off your games for one night to accommodate her,” their father said sternly. “You dominate the backyard every other night of the year. She can have it this once.”

“Yes Dad,” Sammuil grumbled.

Adralys had invited over several like-minded friends of hers for a planet watch party and a campout in her family’s massive backyard. They lived outside of town, so the light pollution was almost non-existent. They would have the best view of the alignment.

Just after sunset, Adralys’ friends started arriving. They set up camp in her backyard and blankets and chairs were set up. Snacks were passed around and drinks were shared to everyone. As it got later, voices fell silent as the planets began to shift and move into place.

“Okay, you’ve watched your planets,” Sammuil groused from the backdoor. “Can you guys vacate and let me have the backyard now?”

“Sam, go inside and leave your sister alone or so help me you’re grounded for the next solar year,” his father yelled from inside. Sammuil slammed the door as he went inside.

At midnight, the planets reached the perfect alignment and everyone gasped and cheered. Pictures were taken with night lens cameras and Adralys marveled at the beauty of the universe as she stared up at the planets above her head, her brother and her family momentarily forgotten in the awe inspiring moment of true celestial majesty.