SOLAR & The Specialists
On The Roof

The house of Selena as a whole will not be seen from behind the lush trees and the height of a sturdy wooden fence that fortifies their family residence. The Selena family lived in a beautiful and orderly settlement. The houses here are large and look great. Christian lives right next door to Selena's house.

Christian's residence was not fitted with any fences. The grounds are filled with well-kept greenery. There is a large chandelier above the porch. From the outside, Christian's residence is magnificent. Solar is convinced that Christian's house is the largest among the houses in the settlement.

Once inside, past the sturdy wooden fence that opened automatically as their vehicle approached, Solar was stunned. Selena's house is no less beautiful than Christian's. The modern design uses a lot of glass, making Selena's house look transparent from the outside. Maybe that's why Selena's parents put a big fence and high walls around their beautiful house. Just to maintain privacy. Selena's own room is on the third floor. The large room that was supposed to be an attic, was transformed into a spacious wooden floor room.

When everyone was asleep by the night cradle, Solar climbed onto the roof of the house. Solar can't sleep. His body does not need sleep like most species of earth. Solar needs a rest, too. The way to rest is to throw yourself into the sea, or at least submerge yourself in the bathtub owned by Selena.

He was somewhat disappointed because Selena's residence was very far from the sea. Actually the Selena family has a swimming pool in the backyard, but the abundance of chemicals called chlorine makes Solar undo themselves to jump into it.

While sitting down, he looked around the complex of Selena's house. Solar is stunned to see diversity here. Not only the species and its colonies, but the shape of the house as well. There is a small house, and there is a big one. Some are good, and some are bad. Some drive shiny vehicles like the Selena family, some are cycling like Reagan.

Solar wonders how many more things will take him by surprise as long as he plagues the planet.

Solar looked up at the moon. The moon looks bright and special. He knew that the moon he saw was not one of the stars like the sun that appeared during the day. Solar recalls her experience going to one of the stars in her galaxy out of curiosity. He wanted to know how resistant his body was to the heat of the stars. Solar almost died roasting on his ship, if only no other heloxe had saved him. He had to face the trial of the colony because of his carelessness. The colony decided not to exterminate Solar because its role as heloxe was still needed. Solar survived because of its status as a heloxe.

The tree nearby moved. Solar watched the branch, waiting in case another new species appeared to surprise him. The branches moved more and more noisy along with the emergence of Christian's head.

"Coffee?" One hand raised a box containing two plastic cups filled with steaming black liquid.

"Your balance is good." Solar comments as impressed by Christian's skill in climbing while carrying a drink without spilling it. He helps pull Christian's body so that Selena's neighbor and close friend can sit with him.

Christian's arrival was no surprise. Solar knows the habits of these two best friends every late night like now. Christian always visits Selena secretly on the roof of her room. Solar can't remember when this habit started.

Christian put coffee between them. The guy was wearing a shorthand and a shabby grey t-shirt. Selena often refers to Christian as 'constant' at home and 'superstar' at school because of his opposite appearance.

"Are you okay?" Ask Christian. He sipped his coffee.

"Why do you think I'm not okay?"

Christian put his shoulder down. "You've been acting a little weird all day."

"Aah!" Christian finally realized. "You must still be in shock." Christian clasped Solar's hand with one hand. Another habit that shows how close they are. "Tomorrow I'll take you to the doctor, okay?"

Solar shook. "I checked yesterday. They said I was okay."

"But the school doctor is not the family doctor who used to take care of us. They don't know anything."

"My parents are doctors. They said I was okay." Solar patted Christian on the back of his hand and let go, fearing that his body temperature, which was a few degrees below that of a normal human, could be realized by Christian.

"You don't know how anxious I was yesterday. Mindy kept crying and forced me to look for you until I met her. It's not that I don't want to, but looking for you isn't easy. We had a big fight when you weren't around."

"I shouldn't be wandering around alone." Those words are not just for Christian. If the late Selena wasn't there that night, maybe Solar wouldn't have taken her place as it is now.

Christian stroked her hair. "I'm so grateful you're safe."

Solar smile. It becomes very important for someone to make his feelings covered with warmth. He's never felt that before. His role as a heloxe was indeed considered important for the colony. But no one has ever considered him important as someone. Selena is very lucky to have a friend like Christian.

"You don't want coffee? I'll get you another one?" Christian asks when he realizes Solar hasn't touched his drink at all.

"It's okay, I'm not thirsty. Besides, now I prefer water."

"really?"

"I'm trying to live healthier."

Christian nodded in understanding. "Next time I'll bring you some water."

Solar is now increasingly convinced that the figure of Cristian is a figure who is very attentive to Selena. If he asks for the moon, maybe Christian will take it for him. Only if it's possible.

***