Walk in the door way. Set down the bag. Flop on the bed. Groan. The routine of any persons life who is struggling. Not to be a pessimist. But it's true. Ask anyone you know. They'll say the same. Guaranteed.

Personally I feel it's more of a comfort "dance". Mostly just because I like feeling soft things. And then screaming into them to let all my emotions out so I can continue on with my life, feeling neutral. Its nice to know I can control something in my life you know? Since there isn't a lot I can control. Besides maybe what I wear, eat, how long I sleep, and how far I advance in my career. And a few other select things, which can be altered due to outside circumstances (Mood, Temperature, Temperance, Patience, Expression, etc.).

There's a buzz from the counter. It interrupts my sulking and deep thoughts. Ah it's my mobile cellular device. I get up from the bed and walk over to the counter. Someone's calling. I go to pick up the phone. I'm too forceful. I overestimated the weight of the small thin brick of glass and electronic. There's too much behind it. I hit my nose and cussed. I guess the force answered the call. I took off my glasses. Good no scratches. I replaced them.

"Well that's a new one." Says a familiar voice on the other end.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't toward you." I say back to him. He chuckles.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Well" I start, rubbing my nose that could possibly start bleeding due to impact, "I just smacked myself in the face picking up the phone, so that's how my afternoon is going." I announced. He laughs. I smirk a little. "Glad this is so amusing to you."

"Sorry, I was just wondering if you wanna come with us tonight. They told me to ask again since you didn't really give an answer the first time." He says. I think a moment.

"Well..." I start. Meanwhile I make my way to the nearest mirror to look at the damage.

"Before you decide," He interrupts "Just keep in mind we've been waiting 3 years for a chance like this to happen since, the last time, you got sick. We did feel terrible going without you."

"You only like me because I bring the top quality items." I say back.

"I mean... that's a minor bonus. But seriously, you can't miss out two times in a row. Even if you are busy." He says.

I sigh. I forgot to mention, sometimes I can't even control what I do with my leisure time.

"You got me. I'll come." I say, now examining my nose to make sure I didn't mangle it in any way.

"Sweet! and you'll bring the big one?" he asked.

"Oh no. No no. Celestron does not travel." I say.

"You named your telescope?" He snarked.

"Hey, my telescope is worth more then your net income. For the next 4 years. Yes I named my telescope. Celestron is an astronomical instrument that is more fragile then the space time continuum. And he is not coming." I say sternly.

"Please?" He asks.

"No."

"Pretty Please."

"Cory. No."

"What if I bring the Nebula spotter?"

I stopped everything.

"You won't. You can't. You aren't even supposed to get it until three weeks from now." I say.

"...Surprise?" he says.

I gasp.

"You've been holding out on me?" I ask.

"It's only been 3 hours." He explains.

"No excuses." I reply. I sigh and give in. "I'm driving. I don't want you ruining the most expensive tool I own."

He laughs and shouts. I can visualize him pumping his fist in the air. "Haha YES! Guys! Penny is bringing the big one! Haha, I know! Okay, I promise you won't regret it. We'll be over in 20."

"I better not. Or you're paying for a new one. See you in a bit." I say with a smirk. We hang up. I head up to the observatory to pep talk Celestron. After about 5 minutes of speaking, he and I are ready. I pack him in his extremely cushioned traveling case and then brought him down stairs. I got ready with the rest of my time, and in no time the jeep arrived and parked its self in my drive way.

I walk out the front door, Celestron securely around my back and torso, and wave to my friends. They wave back and gesture for me to hurry. I nod and turn around to shut and lock the door, then put my house keys around my neck, and tuck my lanyard into my sweatshirt, in its usual position. I speed walk to the car and we all scurry to get Celestron securely in the car and take our places within it. It was just about 6:45 when we hit the road, and took the hour and 20 minute drive to get out of the city to admire the stars without any interfering lights. Eventually our small talk became a competition to determine who could name the most stars (not including planets) in alphabetical order without hesitation. And for a half hour we played this game until none of us could remember any more names.

Eventually we got to our spot that we've been visiting since we were young kids. To imagine that we'd still be coming back to the same spot all together, every three years, over the next 12 years is mind boggling. Especially since we all have separate lives now. Guess we just couldn't give up our special trip and how it made us feel. I suppose, even with our age difference's, we still all feel the same way about it.

Cory is a year and a half older then me. But we act the same age. Cory was my next door neighbor for 12 years, and he would tag along with me and my family on our trips to look at the stars because his parents were away all the time. He's like my adopted older brother. And since he and I look so much alike with our brown hair, brown eyes, and freckles, we sometimes just say we are siblings, since the real explanation is just a little too complicated for our liking. Cory has been the best friend and the older brother that I always wanted but never got.

Meg I met in 6th grade. She's the youngest of us, only 3 months younger then me. She was a blonde then, but she was super smart. She won our school Spelling Bee two of three times she competed. The second one she didn't win is because she couldn't take the word "Farkle" seriously. She laughed 3 seconds too long and got disqualified in the third round. She said it was worth it though. That's the hardest I've ever seen her laugh. I liked her attitude and so I asked her if she wanted to hang out, and she said yes. That same year we took her and Cory to scope out stars. She has dirty blonde hair now (She dyes it) and hazel eyes.

I met Fred a year later, in seventh grade, who is 7 months younger then Cory. He was a transfer student, and Cory introduced me and Meg to him at lunch the third day of school. I never found his humor to be funny, but when he would hang out with just me when our friends had things to do after school (Meg and Cory were both in band) he was quite charming without his other influencers around. He also stood up for me against some the rudest bullies of my life who broke me first telescope. Then he bought me a brand new one three weeks later. Fred walked around with his Raven black hair spiked at the top, and in winter he would wear a red beanie, that hung off the back of his head and covered his ears, which contrasted with his blue eyes. He kept that beanie all the way through high school.

And that's the look that sold my parents on letting Fred tag along on the next star gazing trip, along with Me, Meg and Cory. And ever 3 years after that, for 12 years, which made up the full team of Star Chasers.

Cory is the planner. He makes sure we all know when the next big thing is going to happen and gives all us a count down to when its happening. Meg is the Retriever, and she shows us all the rare constellations that show up only every once in a while. Fred is the Snacker, and always brings the best snacks along. And I'm the Provider, I bring the tech, and make sure we can work the tech.

We got to the outskirts, paid the entrance fee, and the quickly set up, it was dusk now. We watched the sun go down. Then it was show time. I angled Celestron at just the right angle and-

"There it is everyone." I say.

"The most amazing meteor shower on earth." Cory announces. Fred looks through Celestron. He whistles.

"That never gets old." Fred says.

"Star Chasers have done it again, haven't we." Meg says with a grin. We all nod in agreement. Its silent as we all smile and watch the Meteor shower. Then we all hear a faint sound. Fred laughed.

"It's a fitting sound, since it sounds like space." We all looked at each other thinking someone was playing it on their phone. It wasn't a phone. It came from behind us. We all turn our attention to whatever is happening, hoping that maybe other spectator were pulling an immature prank. Wasn't a prank. The sound stopped and we all looked at each other. We stood up and looked around. Nothing. For minutes. Nothing. We returned our attention to the shower. Then out of nowhere-

"I'm sorry, did I startle you four?"

I know I jumped. And I'm sure Meg did too.

"Whoa. Um... Yeah actually... where did you come from?" asked Fred with a nervous laugh.

"Christmas actually. The year...Well I'm not sure there's an equivalent for a year on earth. How have you been?" He asked with a smile. I looked to Cory.

He laughed and mouthed "What?" We were all quiet. Then I spoke up.

"Um... I'm sorry... Who are you?" I asked. The man frowned.

"You-You don't... You don't remember me? None of you?" He asked. We all shook our heads. "Penny? Nothing?"

How does he know my name?

"Cory? Meg? Fred?"

Well now we had to have met him before. But... none of us recognize him. He had Brown hair, and eyes, like me and Cory, That smiled kindly at us. A tan suit that spoke professionalism, but didn't quite fit his face, like there was a small source of imagination that burst out of his face. Red bow tie which matched his face well, for it made him look younger. Really nice black shoes that threw off the young vibe. I told myself to think. But there was just nothing that even sparked any sort of memory.

"I feel really bad. I'm sorry. I just don't recognize you." I said. He shook his head then looked up, smiled and clapped his hands.

"Excellent." he said. We were all taken a back.

"What?" asked Meg.

"No, this is good. We can start over." He laughed. He looked to each of us with a grin in his eyes. " You can call me The Doctor."

We looked at each other confused but still listened to The Doctor.

"I'd hate to do this to you four again..." He started, "But I need your help."