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The morning light spilled through the curtains of Athena’s small bedroom, casting a warm glow on the walls adorned with posters of her favorite bands and anime characters. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and groaned, the events of the previous night still lingering in her mind like a distant storm cloud.
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“Athena! Time to get up!” her mother called from the kitchen, her voice carrying the familiar blend of warmth and urgency. Athena could hear the clatter of pots and pans, the enticing aroma of pancakes wafting through the air.
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“Coming, Mom!” Athena shouted back, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and forcing herself to stand. She quickly dressed in her favorite anime T-shirt, a pair of worn jeans, and her trusty Converse shoes. Glancing in the mirror, she noticed her long black curly hair tumbling down her shoulders and took a moment to gather it into a messy bun before heading to the kitchen. Dark brown eyes reflected her determination, though uncertainty flickered just beneath the surface.
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As she made her way to the kitchen, she found her mother, Sarah, busy flipping pancakes on the stove. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, a few strands escaping to frame her face. The lines of exhaustion were evident, a testament to the long hours she worked as a nurse at the local hospital.
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“Morning, sweetheart,” Sarah said, smiling as Athena sat down at the small, worn table. “How’d you sleep?”
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“Not great,” Athena admitted, stealing a piece of bacon from the plate. “I kept thinking about… you know, everything.”
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Her mother’s expression softened. “The meteor? It’s been all anyone can talk about. But you know it’s just a rock, right? Nothing to be scared of.”
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“Yeah, I know,” Athena replied, though a part of her felt unsettled. “But what if it’s something more?”
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“Don’t let it worry you. Just focus on school today. You have your big presentation, remember?” Sarah reminded her, pouring a glass of orange juice.
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“Right,” Athena said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
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They shared a brief silence, the sounds of sizzling bacon and bubbling syrup filling the air. Athena loved these mornings, where the chaos of life slowed just enough for them to connect, even if only for a moment.
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“Are you going to be home for dinner?” Athena asked, looking up at her mother.
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“I’ll try. We’ve got a busy day at the hospital, but I’ll call if I can make it,” Sarah replied, her tone light but betraying the fatigue that clung to her.
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“Okay,” Athena said, though she felt a twinge of disappointment. She hated that her mother worked so hard, often sacrificing time with her and her little brother, Max.
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After breakfast, Athena grabbed her backpack and headed out the door, Max following close behind. He was still in his pajamas, his curly hair sticking up in every direction. “Can you walk me to school?” he asked, his big brown eyes pleading.
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“Of course, buddy,” she said, ruffling his hair affectionately. “You ready for your big day?”
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“Yeah! We’re doing science experiments today!” Max exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
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“Sounds exciting!” Athena said, smiling as they walked down the quiet street. The morning air was crisp, and the sun peeked through the trees lining their path.
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As they approached the school, Max suddenly stopped. “Hey, Athena? Do you think we’ll ever see the meteor?”
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“Maybe,” she said, glancing up at the sky. “But let’s not worry about that now. You’ve got a presentation to ace.”
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“Okay!” he replied, running ahead to the schoolyard, where a group of kids gathered. Athena watched him join his friends, a sense of protectiveness swelling in her chest.
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After dropping Max off, Athena made her way to her classroom, her heart pounding at the thought of facing the day. As she walked down the hallway, she overheard whispers and snickers.
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“Did you see that news report? They’re saying the meteor has strange effects,” one girl said, her voice laced with excitement.
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“Yeah, I heard people have started acting weird. Like, super strong or something,” her friend replied.
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Athena tried to brush it off, but the anxiety in her stomach twisted tighter. She finally reached her classroom and took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on her presentation.
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During lunch, Athena sat with her friend, Jenna, who was always there to lift her spirits. “So, you ready for that presentation?” Jenna asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
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“Not really. I’ve been thinking about that meteor more than my project,” Athena admitted, poking at her salad.
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“Hey, it’s just a rock, right? No big deal. We’ll get through today. Then we can binge-watch that new anime,” Jenna said, trying to lighten the mood.
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“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Athena replied, forcing a smile. “Thanks for being here.”
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As the school day dragged on, the feeling of unease settled heavier on her. The whispers about the meteor grew louder, and her mind raced with thoughts of the strange energy she felt within her.
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That afternoon, as the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the town, she found herself drawn back to the woods, the mysterious rock calling to her. It felt like a magnet, pulling at her very core.
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Jenna, noticing Athena’s restless demeanor, decided to follow her. “Hey, wait up!” she called, running to catch up with her. “Where are you going?”
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“Just to check something out,” Athena replied, her heart racing.
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When they arrived at the crater, the meteor loomed before them, dark and smooth, pulsating with an energy that seemed almost alive. Athena stepped closer, heart racing, and felt an electric tingle in the air.
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Suddenly, she heard voices behind her—three bullies from school, their laughter slicing through the evening stillness. “Look who it is!” one of them taunted. “The freak is back to talk to her rock.”
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Athena’s heart raced. “Leave me alone!” she shouted, anger surging as they began to shove her, pushing her back toward the edge of the crater.
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“Why don’t you make us?” another bully sneered, stepping closer. The ground beneath her feet felt unstable, her emotions swirling as they began to shove her, their laughter ringing in her ears.
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In that moment of desperation, she felt an overwhelming urge to fight back. “Get away from me!” she cried, instinctively reaching for the meteor as if it held the answer to her predicament. Her fingers brushed the cool surface, and a surge of energy coursed through her.
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“Whoa!” one of the bullies shouted, stumbling back as a wave of force rippled outward from Athena. The air shimmered around her, the world tilting as she gasped for breath.
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“Make them forget! Make them leave me alone!” she begged, her voice trembling.
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In that instant, reality twisted. The bullies faltered, confusion flickering in their eyes. Athena felt the energy of the meteor intertwine with her emotions, bending reality to her will. The bullies blinked, their memories altering like a film reel rewinding. Suddenly, they turned, stumbling away, bewildered as they forgot why they had come.
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Breathing heavily, Athena stepped back, shock washing over her. “What just happened?” she whispered, staring at her hands. The power pulsed within her, a newfound strength that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.
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“Athena, are you okay?” Jenna asked, her eyes wide with concern.
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“I… I don’t know,” Athena stammered, realizing the weight of what had just occurred. She had awakened something extraordinary within herself, and the implications sent a shiver down her spine.
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After their intense encounter with the meteor, Athena and Jenna decided to pick up Max from school, both still reeling from the events that had just unfolded. As they walked down the tree-lined path towards the elementary school, Athena felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The powers inside her were still raw and new, and she wasn’t sure how to handle them yet.
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“Do you think anyone saw what happened?” Jenna asked, glancing around nervously.
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“I hope not,” Athena replied, trying to shake off the unease. “I don’t want anyone finding out about the rock… or what I can do now.”
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When they arrived at the school, Max was already waiting at the gate, bouncing on his feet and waving enthusiastically. “Athena! Jenna! Look what I made today!” he exclaimed, holding up a colorful paper project shaped like a rocket.
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“That’s awesome, buddy!” Athena said, ruffling his hair affectionately. “You’re going to be a rocket scientist one day.”
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As they walked home together, Jenna turned to Athena, her expression serious. “We need to talk about this more. I can help you figure out what you can do with your powers. Maybe there are others like you?”
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“I don’t know,” Athena replied, biting her lip. “I’m still trying to understand it myself.”
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Their conversation faded as they approached the edge of town, where the local park met the main road. Suddenly, they noticed a group of people in military fatigues standing near the sheriff’s office. The atmosphere felt tense, the air heavy with unspoken questions.
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“Look,” Jenna whispered, nodding towards the scene. “What’s going on over there?”
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Athena squinted, trying to make out the details. The sheriff, a broad-shouldered man with a stern expression, was speaking animatedly to a tall officer who seemed to be in charge. A few soldiers stood nearby, their expressions serious, as if they were discussing something important.
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“I don’t like this,” Athena muttered. “Why are they here? What do they want?”
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“Maybe they’re here about the meteor,” Jenna suggested, worry creasing her brow. “You think they know about you?”
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“I don’t know,” Athena replied, her heart racing. “But we need to stay out of sight. Let’s get Max home first.”
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The three of them made their way past the sheriff’s office, trying to act casual, but Athena couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was happening—something that could change everything in Little Rock.
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Once they were safely back home, Athena and Jenna settled into the living room with Max, who was eagerly showing off his project. As night fell, they spread blankets and pillows on the floor, preparing for a sleepover filled with popcorn and movies, but the weight of the day lingered in the air.
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“Do you think we can still have fun tonight?” Athena asked, trying to sound cheerful.
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“Definitely!” Jenna replied, smiling. “We’ll figure everything out tomorrow. Tonight is about you, me, and Max.”
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“Yeah!” Max piped up, holding up a bowl of popcorn. “Let’s watch a movie!”
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As the movie played, Athena glanced out the window, her mind racing with thoughts of the meteor, her powers, and the mysterious army presence. She knew that the next few days would be crucial. Whatever was happening in Little Rock was just beginning, and she was right in the middle of it.
