Virgo

"Did you hear about Libra's boyfriend?"

"My sister said that she heard Scorpio did molly."

"Apparently he was a drug addict."

"Was he in an accident?"

It was impossible to ignore the whispers regarding Scorpio's accident on the first day back. From what Libra had told me, I knew that Scorpio's sister had been killed by his father, which had caused him to go rogue. Scorpio had then nabbed some ecstasy (or molly) from a rager as well a packet of cigarettes, which he had promptly gotten drunk on. The teenager had then, in a drunken fit, come down to a local race track which appeared to be deserted... which was when he'd been hit.

It sounded like a lot to take in, both for Scorpio and Libra.

The atmosphere suddenly dimmed, loud voices lowering to hushed tones as Libra herself walked in. Her outfit screamed confidence-platform heels, black leather-look leggings, a white turtleneck and an edgy cropped red windbreaker, but it was visible from the way she clutched her wallet, knuckles pale, that she was scared. Regardless, she walked on, letting the arrogant side of her demeanour shine through. She strutted right up to Leo, taking him by the arm. "Hey, wanna walk to Maths together?" Leo smiled, nodding, before following Libra toward the Maths corridor. "Wow, she sure looks okay," a student observed. "Well, things can go to normal now. Libra's okay; we're all okay."

I squinted at the freshman who had just said this. What did he mean, we were all okay? The news of Scorpio's accident had rattled each and every student at Varsity High, most of all, in my opinion, the freshmen, who were just settling into high school life. But the moment Libra walked in, acting like everything was normal...

...It all became normal.

It was obvious-Libra had an iron grip on the school. They followed her around like a herd of sheep, hung onto her every word as if it were as sacred as a long-lost religious script. Yes, she appeared to be perfect, but everyone at Varsity High knew about her underlying mental issues. How was it that even when she did things that should have been considered so controversial, she was loved and respected by everyone?

Sighing, I slunk off to my locker, gathering my books for first period.

....

"...Through images, an author conveys messages to the reader using visual techniques." Rolling my eyes, I hastily scribbled down the teacher's words about picture books. "Alright class; that'll be it for today. Remember to bring in your reports for next week." Muttering a 'thank you' to the teacher, I slunk out of the room hurriedly, only to crash right into Capricorn.

"Oh, hi!" I tried, wringing my hands nervously. Capricorn glanced at my outfit, almost as if analyzing it. "I see you've returned to your usual attire." He gently brushed his hand against my cropped half-sleeved white and grey plaid tee, which I had paired with a matching plaid skirt. I wore ankle-length brown Chelsea boots to compliment the outfit, leaning very much into my own classic yet chic fashion sense. "I am relieved to witness your recovery-I mean, I'm glad to... see... that you are okay. You're okay." Capricorn tried for a smile, which ended looking more like another one of his menacing brooding faces.

"Hey, Virgo!" Libra smiled at me, tossing her thick curls. "Wanna come sit with us?" I nodded, nodding awkwardly at Capricorn before leaving. "Well, how are you feeling?" Libra sighed, walking faster. "I mean, yes, I'm still rattled, but life goes on. Scorpio still hasn't woken up, so all we can do is wait, I guess." She sighed, fiddling with that trademark charm bracelet of hers. It was a bracelet with an adorable story-Libra had made a small chain bracelet in the sixth grade, which, over the years, she had added small charms to, marking many of her experiences. I noticed a motorbike charm, newly added, hanging off it-no doubt inspired by Scorpio.

"Well, I'm here for you, Leebs," I offered, putting an arm around Libra (which was slightly difficult thanks to the 5-inch platform heels on her feet.) "Well, we're throwing a party here at the school tonight as a tribute to Scorpio. You know, to celebrate him and just come together and pray for his recovery. I'm honestly surprised that so many people cared about him, considering he was rarely around." Libra sighed once again, a 'Get Well Soon, Scorpio!' poster pinned to a nearby noticeboard. "Anyways, I hope you can make it-the party starts at 6 tonight." She smirked cheekily, leaning over to whisper something in my ear. "And how about you invite Capricorn too?" I frowned, arching my brows. "Capricorn? I thought you hated him!" Libra shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, I might not like him very much, but I see the way you look at him. You obviously like him."

I gasped, playfully punching Libra's arm. "I do not! He's just-"

"A friend? That's what they all say."

"I don't like him!"

"Sure."

"I'm serious, Leebs!"

"And he's seriously cute."

"Will you stop?"

"Not until you admit you like him."

"I WON'T ADMIT IT! GIVE UP!"

"Okay, I guess I'll just invite Cappy myself."

Cappy? How had she figured out my nickname for Capricorn?

"Oh, Virgo, I know you're wondering how I found out about... Cappy."

"Well, how did you?"

"I'm sorry, but a magician never reveals their secrets!"

"You're hardly a magician!"

"Oh, yes I am. And I'm going to make magic happen at tonight's party... with you and CAPPY!"

"Give it a rest!"

And with that, Libra had warped me into yet another endless quell, one which inexplicably made me like her more and more.

.....

"VIRGO! You came!" Libra rushed over to me, throwing her arms around my neck. "I know it's not much of a... party, but it's the best we could do here at school. I mean, there's Jello shots! No alcohol." I nodded, smiling, as I took in Libra's outfit. The trophy girl of Varsity High wore a red Bardot minidress, paired with golden stilettos and a smokey eye. She'd let her curls form naturally, leaving them to cascade down to her shoulders. "Okay, that was the last of the fairy lights, Cancer... LIBRA!" Leo stopped in his tracks upon seeing the girl he so hopelessly loved, staring slack-jawed at her. "You look... so pretty. So confident." Libra smiled, walking (or should I say, sashaying) over to Leo and nudging him gently. I noticed just how good Leo looked in his blue jeans and black bomber jacket, still towering over Libra despite those massive heels on her feet. "You don't look so bad yourself, Leo. And you certainly look like you could take on scaring those freshmen away from the punch bowl."

Libra gestured toward a throng of freshmen dousing themselves in punch. "On it, Leebs!" Leo leaned over, planting a gentle kiss on Libra's cheek, making her blush slightly. As he sauntered away, I gasped, elbowing Libra. "Well, well, well, you certainly know how to pick 'em!" Libra groaned, kicking me in the shins. "Do not tease me about my messy love life, Virgo! Speaking of love lives... Look who's here." Her eyes angled toward an approaching figure clad in acid-washed denim jeans and a cashmere sweater. "Capricorn?" I breathed, while Libra simultaneously gasped, "Wow, his fashion sense has improved!" He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I see that you, too, have come to attend this... event." I smirked, elbowing Capricorn. "I think what you meant to say is, glad you joined the party." Capricorn nodded tersely, his dimple popping. "Of course. That is exactly what I wished to proclaim. I'm sorry. It is exactly what I... wanted to say."

He shook his head in that adorable way of his, looking me up and down. "Nice ensemble." I smiled, adjusting my white off-the-shoulder minidress, looking down at my white heels, still not quite as high as Libra's. "Thanks. You look nice too." He smiled, angling his head toward where Taurus and Pisces stood, talking over hot chocolate. "Shall we join them?" He extended his arm, grinning. "Yes, we shall." We made our way toward the happy couple.

"Well, how's it going, lovebirds?" I asked, watching as both Pisces and Taurus' faces turned red with embarrassment. Even so, they never let go of each others' hands in that classic, romantic way that made my heart melt. "Don't say it like that! You make it sound so weird!" Pisces protested as Taurus gently squeezed his arm. "That you're dating? Alright, okay." Taurus groaned, gritting her teeth. "You didn't have to tell the whole world. Besides, we're trying to keep a low profile right now. Letting Libra have all the attention and just lying low, you know?" I nodded, examining Taurus' casual look-black skinny jeans paired with a metallic cropped blouse, paired with heeled Chelsea boots.

Pisces' look complimented that of Taurus' almost perfectly-grey denim jeans paired with a grey cable knit sweater and beige scarf. "Hey, here come Aries and Sagittarius!" Pisces pointed toward an approaching couple, both looking glamorous in their own ways. While Sagittarius had made an effort to dress up, wearing black dress jeans, a white cowl neck sweater and a black trench coat with neatly polished dress shoes, Aries had thrown on black leggings, a plain black top and a beige poncho sweater to cover up, complimenting her look with light make up and studs. Needless to say, the duo looked perfect together.

I winced as the feedback from the microphone screeched, causing us all to turn toward the stage, where Principal Wilkes stood with Libra, ready to speak. "Welcome, Varsity High, to this tributary event." The crowd burst out cheering before Principal Wilkes cleared his throat, continuing to speak. "I'd now like to invite you Sophomore class representative, Libra Cole, to speak." Libra graciously accepted the microphone from Principal Wilkes, taking her place on the stage to raucous applause. "Hey, Varsity High! Thank you so much for coming tonight! As you all probably know, today's event is a tribute to my boyfriend... ex-boyfriend... Scorpio. On Christmas Eve, Scorpio lost his younger sister, Maria, when she was shot by his mentally ill father.

"Scorpio left the house and unfortunately was involved in... illicit activities, which he had been resorting to as a coping method in the midst of all the chaos in his family. His illicit activities were part of the reason he was involved in a car crash. Luckily, Scorpio was found by some locals, who called an ambulance. From there on, Scorpio was admitted, and thankfully, saved from death. However, the weak state his body was left in caused him to become comatose. Now, we can only hope he wakes up soon, which is why we're all here today."

Libra picked up a flute filled with fruit punch, raising it to the audience. "I'd like to make a toast. To Scorpio."

"To Scorpio!"

I raised my punch to my lips, and all of sudden, it was all okay.

Everything's going to be alright, Virgo. Everything's going to be alright.