Two weeks later...

Aquarius

"He can't be that bad," was my sisters' first comment when I told her about that idiotic new kid. "I mean, he sounds kind of charming, if you ask me." Rolling my eyes, I continued to scroll through my Instagram feed. "He's not. The total opposite of Cancer, honestly. He thinks he's all that, strutting around with Libra's gang like he owns the place, hitting on Gemini, coming to all the parties, trying out for the football team... Did I mention hitting on Gemini?" Andromeda let out a low whistle, smirking. "Could it be that you're jealous?" Frowning, I shook my head profusely, unable to stop her. "Are you into Cancer? Or... are you maybe into Gemini?"

"Don't be stupid!"

"I'm just saying, you sound really jealous."

"My god! Cancer died about three weeks ago! I'm not over it. I'm probably never going to be."

Andromeda sighed, putting an arm around me. "I'm sorry. I remember when Dad went away... I know it's not the same as someone dying, but he didn't leave behind any way to contact him... don't even know where he is... The point is, I know how bad it hurts to lose someone close to you. I was only eight when Dad left, and my god, it really hurt me. I couldn't go even a day without crying for Dad. It was a month later that I realised he wasn't going to come back.

"And even though it's been, what, 16 years since then, I still miss him. Every time I hear a Backstreet Boys song, I think of him." I laughed. "Who even listens to those guys anymore? They're ancient!" Andromeda's eyes widened. "You try to listen to one verse of 'I Want It That Way' without singing!" I nodded, breaking out into a smile. "True, true, true." Andromeda nodded. "Now, back to this whole Cancer and Gemini situation..."

Groaning, I shoved my sister back onto the bed. "You can't let things go, can you?"

"Not if I can help it, no. Anyways, let's get you ready for this party!"

.....

About two hours later, my sister stepped away from me, grinning. She'd dressed me in a sleeveless pale blue turtleneck romper paired with a white leather jacket and white heeled knee-high boots. She'd done my make-up in a cool light blue and silver, complimenting my pale complexion. "Damn, sis, looking good! You'll certainly turn heads."

"Thanks, Andromeda."

"It's not a problem. Now get out there and stun Cancer and Gemini!"

"Oh, my GOD, can you not?"

Loud music wafted in through the window. Frowning, I looked down to see a limo. "Wow, that's some ride. Honestly, kids at your school are so spoiled." Laughing, I grabbed my white clutch, heading downstairs. Libra sashayed out of the limo, smirking. She stunned in a metallic silver one shoulder puff sleeve dress, paired with outrageously tall silver stilettos and all silver makeup, with special emphasis on those slanted eyes she was so famous for. "Aquarius, girl, looking good! Get in!" She gestured toward the limo, where 'Holiday' by Lil Nas X was blasting. Smiling, I followed her in, gasping when I saw Leo and Gemini seated inside. Leo wore a black button-down shirt with beige pants and Nike Air Forces. Gemini stunned in an A-line black minidress, which she had paired with metallic golden flats and a smokey eye. "Aquarius, you look great!" I smiled. "You too, Gemini."

We sped away, on our way to the party.

"We're here! Great!" Libra held the door open for us all, allowing us to pile out. We all walked in together, Libra and Leo in front, Gemini and I flagging them. Everyone turned toward us as Samantha opened the door for Libra. Almost as if she'd rehearsed it, Libra shifted from one foot to the other slowly, angling herself so that everyone could take in her outfit. Once she'd captured everyone's attention, she broke out into 'The Walk', the one the populars at Varsity High were famous for. It was basically just a catwalk strut-just with about fifty times more confidence and spunk. Leo and Gemini fell into perfect sync with her, falling behind her. I followed abruptly, making sure I fell into the same rhythm as them.

This is what being popular feels like.

I wasn't going to lie-I loved the feeling. People staring in awe, calling you pretty, giving you all their attention, just because you were popular. They might not have necessarily felt that way, but it didn't matter. Popularity was a defining standard at Varsity High-not looks or smarts or money. Libra's smile faded when she saw Scorpio with Blair. She was a textbook mean girl-rich, snobby and rude, not to mention beautiful, in a fake kind of way. She flicked her bleached blonde hair off her shoulder, blinking quickly with those fake lashes. Blair was a a senior-two years above us-and almost everyone hated her.

But, well, she was still popular... and the perfect girl to make Libra jealous with. Paying no heed, Libra turned on her heel, taking Leo's hand. As she walked away, Scorpio sighed, a dejected expression on his face before he freed himself from Blair's grasp. Gemini rolled her eyes, turning toward me. "Wanna dance?" I smiled. "Sure."

As we took to the floor, a fast-paced rap started playing. "Oh my god, I love this song!" I frowned, blinking. "Corvette, corvette!"Gemini started dancing along to the beat, throwing her hands in the air. "Come on, Aquarius! Come have some fun!" Rolling my eyes, I joined in, finding myself enjoying myself for the first time since Cancer's death. Just then, new Cancer walked over, looking Gemini up and down. "Someone's looking good," he remarked. Turning toward me, he grinned. Lookin' good, ICE-quarius!" Frowning, I crossed my arms. "Oh my god, seriously?" He smirked. "I only speak facts. You really do look good in that dress." My heart fluttered ever so slightly. "Yeah, you look so pretty," Gemini added, smiling. I bit my lip anxiously, smiling at Gemini as my heart gave a little jolt.

"Y'all wanna dance?"

"I'm down!"

We all got stuck right into it, and I found myself wondering if Andromeda was right.

Could it be... that I was falling for them?