Libra

"THAT'S IT, YOU FREAKING DOUCHEBAG!" I punched him as hard as I could, hoping it would free me from his grip-it hurt so badly-my wrist was twisted-

He fell to the floor, unconscious. I gasped, taking a few steps back rather shakily. The owner turned toward me, concern written across her face. "Miss, are you okay?" she asked, walking toward me with a glass of water. "I'm fine-AHHH!" Pain seared through my wrist where Leo had grabbed me.

"It's my wrist..." The owner nodded. "I'll get you some ice. Any doctors in here?" A middle-aged man walked over to me, looking rather worried. He took my hand, examining my wrist.

"Tell me where it hurts, okay?" I nodded, not realising how much it would hurt. He sighed, running a hand through his hair after he'd finished examining my hand. "It's definitely broken. You'll have to get that in some bandages. Just let me check on the boy..." The doctor's wife took a seat next to me, consoling me. "Hi, sweetie. Are you feeling alright?"

I shook my head, trembling slightly. "I... I didn't think he would try to hurt me... I didn't want to hit him..." She sighed. "You did the right thing, sweetie. That guy was really horrible. Hey, who's that?" I frowned before seeing Sagittarius rush over, looking flushed. "Libra-are you okay-accidentally rang me-I told Scorpio and your mom-Leo's a jerk-" I laughed. "Slow down." I offered him my (untouched) glass of water. He took it gratefully, gulping it down. "There comes Scorpio."

Scorpio came in, throwing his arms around me. "Oh, I was so worried..." I buried my head into his shoulder, grateful to have him here with me. He just held me quietly, stroking my back reassuringly, before looking down at me. "So what happened exactly?"

I took a shaky breath, ready to recount the horrible experience.

"He called me weak, so I got really angry and told him I was doing just fine... I told him to pay for dinner with my hard-earned cash just to prove that I was strong. The I got up to leave. He followed me, he grabbed my wrist and wouldn't let go. I wasn't going to sit back down so he grabbed my dress and started dragging me back to the table. And then I punched him, and now he's knocked out, and I feel horrible, and my wrist is broken."

Sagittarius glared angrily at Leo. Scorpio began to stand up, making his way toward the boy- "No, Scorpio, he's not worth it," I sighed. "I already got him back for what he did, didn't I?" Leo stirred, his eyes opening gently. "He hasn't broken anything," the doctor informed us. "Though he deserved to," mumbled the owner. I stood, the pain in my wrist going numb. "Wow, Leo. Guess this weak, vulnerable girl just knocked you out, huh?" My mom and my dad came up behind me. I could feel them smiling. Leo blinked, struggling to put together a sentence.

We left the store, leaving Leo behind to regain his senses entirely.

"Oh, Libra, you gave us a scare!" Mom exclaimed. "It's okay, honey, I told you she could take care of it. She's a tough one, our Libra," Dad remarked. He turned toward Scorpio. "Oh, it's the boy." Mom nudged him, glaring at him pointedly. "Thank you... Scorpio... for taking care of my daughter. I appreciate it, and you're more than welcome to move out of Libra's old room." I gasped, chuckling. "You put him in my old room? You mean the hot pink one with, like 1,000 Barbie Dolls put up as decorations?"

Scorpio shuddered. "They're so creepy..." I laughed once again. "So this is your secret fear? Barbie Dolls?"

"They're unnatural, with those crazy long legs and those weird eyes and-"

"Calm down, boy. Sagittarius, pleasure to see you as always. Thank you for telling us what you heard." Sagittarius nodded, smiling. "Anytime, Mr. Cole."

"Oh please, call me Ish."

Scorpio leaned forward. "So, Ish-"

"It's Mr. Cole, boy."

"Sorry, Mr. Cole. I was just wondering, and you can say no if you'd like... it's just I really need a part time job so I can get on my feet and I've heard that your company offers part-time jobs-"

"Just settle down first, son-"

"Scorpio, you could always come work at my boutique. I know it's not your idea of a part-time job, but-"

"I'll do it! Thank you, Mrs. Cole!"

"Please, call me Venus."

We pulled up at the hospital, where Sagittarius held out his hand for me to take. I took it gratefully, warmth rippling through my body at the familiarity of his touch. Scorpio shuffled alongside us awkwardly, shooting me a sideways glance. I smiled at him, turning my head to face him.

"Scorpio... thanks. Thanks for being there for me."

"I...It's not a problem."

"No, it is. I think... I think Leo is right. I'm so weak, Scorpio! I keep on kidding myself, saying I'm strong, but just look at me! I'm insecure about everything, I'm scared almost all of the time that things will go wrong, I can't even figure out what to do about us-" He held a finger to his lip.

"Listen to me, Libra. You can't let that jerk get into your head, yeah? He's just another egotistical footballer-you've dated enough of them to know what they're really like, haven't you? You are so brave. Your insecurities are what make you so special-I see you looking at yourself in the mirror, criticizing your face, spending hours on end trying to straighten your hair, fretting over how your jeans are too small for you. But seriously, Libra, you are beautiful. You are beautiful because despite everything that holds you back, you push through, unafraid to show your face to the world. That's true beauty.

"Even though I know you think your life is a royal mess, it's not. You wake up every morning with something to be grateful for-your parents, your little brother, your home, your best friend." I smiled. "And you aren't weak. Knocking out a 6'4 quarterback is no mean feat!" I laughed.

"Thanks, Scorpio. I'm really glad you're here. Seriously."

"It's okay, Leebs. I told you-I love you. I'm always going to be right here, not to pity you, but to remind you that you're amazing and you make me happier every single day in every single way." Overcome with emotion, I tore away from Sagittarius, throwing my arms around Scorpio, careful with my wrist. "Thank you for waiting. I promise, one day I'll be ready."

The doctor arrived, clutching a notepad. "Libra Cole?" she asked. I let go of Scorpio, walking toward the doctor. "That would be me." The doctor smiled, gesturing for me to follow her.

....

"So it's definitely broken," the doctor concluded as she finished putting my hand in a cast. Now you're left-handed, so you should be fine with most schoolwork, but strictly no sport for about three weeks. The cast comes off in 21 days." I nodded. "Alright, we need to go pick Avyaan up from Sagittarius' place," Mom began. "Thank you Doctor. Everyone, back in the car!" We all started toward the parking lot, piling into the car. We arrived at Sagittarius', where Avyaan came barreling out of the house with Sarge's twin siblings.

"SISSY!" the four-year old screeched, jumping into the back of the SUV. "What happened on your hand?" I smiled, ruffling his hair. "I got hurt, Avi. They wrapped it up in this cool cast for me, so I could get better and play soccer with you real fast." Avyaan nodded excitedly. "It looks SO COOL! I want one, too!" I laughed, as did Scorpio. "Did Scorpy-Scorp get one too?" Scorpio rolled his eyes. Avyaan laughed gleefully, tugging at Scorpio's hair. "No, Avi, I didn't." Avi gasped, jaw dropping.

"That means you can play soccer with me! YAY! Avi and Scorpy, Scorpy and Avi, the cool soccer kids..." Avyaan began to sing a song about himself and Scorpio being the ultimate dream team, much to Scorpio's chagrin. We arrived at the mansion and Avi jumped out of the car. "C'mon, Scorpy! Let's go play!" Scorpio sighed. "Avi, it's really late. We can't play now!" Avi wrinkled his nose at Scorpio. "FINE!" He marched off angrily, grabbing Mom's hand. "I'm going to sleep, like a GOOD BOY!" Scorpio laughed, turning back toward me. "Well, good night, Leebs." I hugged Scorpio as best as I could with my cast. "Good night, Scorpy."

"What did you call me?"

"NOTHING!"

and we ran toward the house together, once again friends like we were. And, somehow, there was more comfort to be found in that than in a relationship.