Chapter Twenty-Six: Summer Holidays

 Narrated by Artemis Masterson

On the Monday following Erytheia and Xanthe's graduation, I decided to do some research on Foxbury Institute. I knew I wanted to do a Physics degree, and I was checking out what societies there were on offer. Both the Brainiacs and the Bot Savants seemed pretty tempting...

"Hey there Artemis," Xanthe said behind me. "Checking out universities?"
"The societies specifically," I replied. 

"They're fun," Xanthe said, "and you can gain extra credit for your degree."

"Yeah, that's useful," I said. "What would be your tips for doing well?"
"Take notes in class," Xanthe replied. "They're really useful when it comes to revising for your exams. Also, building your research and debate skill helps for similar reasons."

"Great, thank you!" I smiled. I wouldn't be going to university for a bit, but I liked to be prepared.

That evening, I decided to head over to the Newcrest Brainy Centre where I ran meetings of the Smarty Pants League. It functioned as a library, but there was a club members-only room on the first floor, as well as another room that contained chemical analysers and robotics benches. Additionally, there was an area outside with a rocket launch pad, a giant microscope and an observatory! 

I sat down at one of the computers in the main library room, with the intent of programming a mobile app. 

"Hey Artemis," said Molly Prescott beside me. "How's it going?"
"Great, thanks," I smiled. "I was trying to decide what university society sounds the most fun."

"Well, I always think the Bot Savants sound cool," Molly said. "The Brainiacs sounds like another version of this club."
"True," I mused, "but making various bots can take a long time, and I'd need a lot of robot salvage parts."

"Fair enough," Molly nodded. "Maybe both?"
"Possibly," I grinned. "I have to actually get into university first."

The following morning, I woke up and checked my phone. There was a lot of talk on Simbook around the fact that my own older sister, Erytheia, had been declared a Global Superstar. Some people were mumbling about her being a so-called "nepo baby", but most people were arguing that she wasn't actually in the entertainment industry, and that her violin tunes were just a hobby.

"Damn, she must have made a hell of an impression in the restaurant," I exclaimed. 

That afternoon, we headed over to Studio PBP to watch the tile-laying ceremony.

"Is it weird seeing your daughter get one of these?" I asked Dad.

"Of course. But I'm so proud, too. Maybe one day the entire boulevard will feature our family! If you're not interested in fame, though, don't worry. I'm not trying to pressurise you."

"I'll always be somewhat famous because of you," I smiled. "And sometimes astronauts do become famous!"

Wednesday was Summer Festival day, and this meant our usual trip to Ohan'ali Beach in Sulani. Naturally, I invited over my friend Malia.

"You haven't been here in a while!" she smiled.

"No. I've missed it, it's so lush and peaceful," I sighed, looking over at the blue sea.

"It is! Except for the thunderstorms. They aren't much fun," she laughed. "But they don't last long."

We spoke for a while longer, with Apollo and Xanthe coming to join us. I'd meant everything I said; Sulani was a lovely place to be. Even the cats seemed to enjoy it, chasing seagulls everywhere. 

Although most people knew me as the "brainy" twin and Apollo as the "fit" twin, I knew about the importance of keeping fit and healthy - and Apollo was a pretty smart guy. So, whenever I felt like it, I enjoyed pounding the treadmill. The weather that day, though, was dreadful, so there wasn't the same kind of view as usual. 

"Typical San Myshuno summer," I grinned to myself. "Ah well, at least I'm warm and dry in here."

One of the skills that would be important in my degree was handiness. Most people at school knew that I was a Spellcaster, and found it odd that I often fixed broken objects by hand rather than cast Repairio. I'd explained that spellcasting wasn't always successful, especially at my low rank, but some of them still thought it was a little odd. It didn't bother me, though, as no-one called me names. So, when the upstairs bath went kaput, I bent down to fix it.

Maybe I should use Repairio for stuff like the bath, I thought to myself. I do not want to fuck my back up at my age!

I wasn't entirely unsurprised when I found out that Xanthe was now also considered a Global Superstar.

"Wow, congratulations!" I grinned. "This is so cool."

"I know, right?" Xanthe smiled. "It's so weird. It's nice to be recognised for my hard work."

"Maybe I should pop over to your restaurant one day!" I said.

"Please do! Maybe I can organise a sibling discount," Xanthe replied.

So, on Saturday afternoon, we were all back at Studio PBP for Xanthe's tile-laying ceremony. I applauded as I watched her hold the tile high above her head and then place it down on the concrete slab, right next to where Erytheia's was.

That evening, Erytheia and Xanthe threw a casual little house party by way of celebration.

"Man, it is so cool that your sisters are global superstars," Malia said. "And I'm one of their friends!"

"Yeah, it is pretty cool," I smiled. "You can say to people that you've actually been inside their house."

"I don't want to boast, though," Malia replied. "Do you think you'll be as famous as them one day?"

"Possibly," I said. "Some astronauts end up famous. But I'm still so young. I've got to finish school and university first."

Rain was pouring again as I got into bed that night; autumn was on its way. My mind was whirring with things I could do to become famous in my own right. Maybe I could start a "Science for Kids" video series on SimTube, or develop mobile apps and video games... of course, I knew that being famous wasn't all glitz and glamour, but if I could maybe show young women that they could be scientists and astronauts and game developers, it would be worthwhile.