— Aster —

I sat in an empty building just waiting, though I didn’t have to wait too long before another person entered the temple. A dark-haired, bearded man with a barrel chest, in a tight-fitting three-piece suit, came striding down the hall, from one of the other rooms. Even at this distance, I could see his blue eyes swirl. It was one of my favorite teachers, Noame. Noame was a good guy who helped me out of a few things once or twice. He was one of the few people who encouraged me to keep going, and even offered to help. I turned him down feeling embarrassed by the whole thing. I really should have taken him up on the offer. He passed by me without a glance, I don’t think he even saw me as he rushed through to the back of the temple. He must need to get ready.

I felt very small just sitting in the hall, and felt even more out of place as the echoes of Noame faded. I had the bad habit of being really early for important things. For some reason I was always afraid if I didn’t I’d miss something important, and this was a very important day. Not to mention, I was early for a reason.

This was what we had planned, we were to meet up early so we could figure out what we would all do after graduation. “They should be here soon.” Slowly, but inevitably people began to trickle in. The first couple of people came in and did like me, find a spot, and waited. As more people arrived, they began to group up and talk, as others waited to stare at the door. The silence turned into a low murmur filling the room growing louder as more people appeared, one after another. As time passed my eyes never left the door. Every time it opened I thought it had to be them only to be disappointed when someone else walked in. I was constantly checking my phone wonder where they were, as time ticked on.

Time felt like it was speeding up as person after person walked through the door, soon the previously spacious room became crowded. The entire time there wasn’t a single sign of my friends. Blight, I couldn’t even see the door any more thanks to the crowd. Letting out a long frustrated sigh, I decided I couldn’t just sit here and wait. I might as well look around. Maybe I missed them.

Making a few circuits around the room, only to get strange looks, was frustrating. Time was ticking down, and at this rate, there wouldn’t be any time to plan anything. I tried to get back to my spot to just wait when I found another group had taken up residence.

Well, that’s a bust.

I could only search for a new place to wait. Even I thought I looked strange just wandering around the room. My anxiety was rising with every lap of the room and not finding an open spot. I didn’t want to just stand in the middle of the sea of people, I couldn’t. When I finally, found an open spot I felt a wave of relief flood through me as I took the spot, and found it had a decent view of the door.

The continuous stream of people became a trickle as time, was nearly up. Why are they always late? It was like they were waiting for me to have that thought. The door opened and James finally stepped through the door. James would stand out wherever he was, with his six-two solid frame, clean short dark golden hair, and deep green eyes.

James was my best friend, I don't know if he thinks the same but, I like to think so. He hasn’t always been there, but I won’t hold that against him. Life happens.

When I first caught a glance I was so relieved he was here I almost missed the smile on his face. He had been off for weeks, but he wouldn’t say what was going on with him. I was glad to see he was out of his funk. I felt a wide grin stretch my face, as I waved to get his attention. It took a minute for him to notice me, but when he did he smiled wider and made his way over, taking the seat next to me.

Before I could even say anything to James a loud boom rang through the room. The entire room as one turned their heads to the entrance.

We watched as Noame calmly walked through the entrance and through the crowd passing right by me and James. He made his way up to the podium in front of the red door staring out into the crowd. “Everyone please grab a seat.”

That broke whatever spell was over the crowd as everyone took their seats and the room was filled with a low murmur. I turned to James, “You are late.”

James flinched at the accusation but his smile never left his face, “I was two minutes early.” Holding up two fingers in front of my face.

I pushed his hand away, as I answered annoyed, “You were supposed to be here an hour early.”

His smile finally faltered, realizing he screwed up. James let out a sigh and asked, “How did that go?”

How did it go? How did it go? It went nowhere. No one showed up! I wanted to yell at him but could only get out a “Well…”

“Good Morning Everyone!” Noame yelled silencing the crowd. I was frustrated with James but we could deal with it later. Now wasn’t the time. Looking up at Noame behind the podium, the longer he stood silent the more the tension in the room seemed to build. He was just starting out with a big smile unnerving us all. The man knew exactly was he was doing, he was revealing in making the entire room uncertain. I think it was his way of trying to break the tension, but it was just making it worse.

The silence dragged on, until out of nowhere Noame yelled, “Everyone, sit down and listen up!” Quite a few of us jumped at his yell. Those still kind of meandering towards their seats practically ran to sit. Once the last person sat Noame Cleared his throat. “This is the last lecture you all will receive here, and it will contain the most important information you have received here.”

We were all wrapped in anticipation. But I personally couldn't help myself shouting “Like what, how to do a hair transplant?” It made no sense but it was something you expect from teenagers. The entire temple burst into snickers of laughter, breaking the built-up tension. I was proud of myself for that, while I still squirmed at the room's attention. Thankfully, most of the room was too preoccupied with the speech to look at me.

One would think that Noame would have been annoyed by this outburst, but he laughed along with us. The room slowly quieted with Noame waiting to make sure we were paying attention before starting, “I suppose you're all anxious to begin.” Only to pause as though he forgot something and stared directly at me. I felt a chill shoot up my spine at his attention. It was the strangest feeling when those eyes fell on you like something otherworldly was really staring at you. I had poked the bear and was dreading what he was planning.

He began to speak, "But first Aster.” Noame held his hand towards me as if asking for something. I felt the room full lock onto me. I did my best to ignore their stares as I wondered why he was holding out his hand to me. What does he want? Puzzled I began to lift my hand in the mirror of him. Noame gestured to his chin asking, “Can I have my beard back?"

Instinctively my hand moved to my chin mirroring Noame. “What?” Under my hand was not the smooth skin I was expecting, but a rough patch of hair. I looked in shock around only to see many mouths agape staring at me. Looking towards James for some type of explanation. James looked just as confused.

"Aster. If you want a beard you'll have to grow one." Noame’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. Finally, my eyes locked onto Noame’s smooth face. I was surprised, I expected scars under his beard for some reason.

“How?” The word just kind of popped out.

Noame walked up to me grabbing the beard replying. "How? Simple like this." I could feel every individual hair being pulled from my face, like tiny little suction cups. And like that he plucked the beard from my face. Noame loved his jokes, pun, and overall shenanigans but we had never seen him do anything so...magical.