Stargazing

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“Look at all those stars,” he says, an echo in my mind. “Y’know, it would still take us four years to reach the nearest one. Even if we travelled at light speed.”

I smile. Like I did every time he said one of his space facts.

Fidgeting against the roof of the highway cafe, I consider finding a new place to stargaze but this had always been our spot.

My breath shakes.

I wish he was still here. Watching the stars beside me – our worries erased. Instead, I picture him, up there, amongst the twinkles, exploring the endless galaxies he adored.

_{I wrote Stargazing during the first lockdown. I spent a lot of time worrying about family and the future so I sat down at my desk and simply wrote. Stargazing is what came out. I’ve debated making this piece longer but it’s never felt right to go beyond 150 words.}

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MATTHEW BINES, City University of London

An avid writer, Matthew Bines has had a tendency to write flash fiction during the early hours of the morning since his early teens. His preferred genres are Science Fiction and Horror due to their absurdism. However, he also dabbles in other genres because staying in one gets too dull.

Instagram @matthew.bines