That kiss summed us up as one weird but perfect couple. With the moon hanging above us like a lantern, we had snuck into the backyard of my best friend Lucy’s house. Lucy’s family runs a bird rehabilitation centre where Chirp, my chicken—the one I ‘rescued’—lives. That evening, I had cradled Chirp in my arms—she’s such a snugglepot—and introduced her to Oliver. It’s the opposite of romantic, I know, not like a rom-com in the slightest. But Oliver took it all in his stride and more. It was his first time meeting Chirp, although he’d helped me with the whole rescue saga, and the two of us sat together under the big bottlebrush tree by the back fence. With Chirp sleeping between us, our lips met, under the moonlight.

I hadn’t wanted to leave him this summer, our relationship still fresh and new. He’s my first boyfriend and I’m his first girlfriend. Oliver’s an all-round good guy, and if he has any faults, they’re that he’s too nice and likes to be liked. He encouraged me to come on this trip, and I appreciated his selflessness in letting me go do my thing. We’d hugged goodbye, promising to exchange video clips every day. With the seventeen-hour time difference, finding a chance to speak will be tricky.

After three trays of barely edible food, and two fleeting attempts at sleep, I’ve got one stiff neck. I drum my fingers on the window pane.

‘Shhh!’ someone says behind me. I put in my earbuds and try to calm down. Deep breaths.

Although I’m fifteen, it’s my first time flying. Crazy. Taking off in the huge jumbo jet from Sydney Airport, I discovered the world turns miniature: toy cars and Lego houses. Up in the blue sky with the setting sun, the clouds are pink candy floss, sweet enough to eat. When the light streaks through, I see dreams and fairytales. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pegasus flew by or even God, sitting on a sunbeam, the white-bearded superpower of Bible stories. Sky, he’d say, I can’t bring back your mum, but the worst is over. Now your life will be wonderful— fields of strawberries and bunny rabbits forever more.

Yeah, right. I press my finger hard against the point of the crescent-moon pendant. I’ve been through enough to know life isn’t so dreamy. It’s rough as dirt and there are no certainties.