Aquarius

"I was born to run, I don't belong to anyone..."

The wind tousled my hair gently as I ran to the sound of Miley Cyrus, enjoying the unorthodox tranquility of my street this early in the morning. As I ran, my head spiraled into thoughts about Scorpio's untimely accident. How was Libra there when Scorpio was in the hospital? How come Scorpio's father's mental illness had gone undiagnosed for years? And where was Scorpio's mother? I ran and wondered, wondered and ran, my thoughts running wild and free like brumbies in the country.

Slowing down, I threw open the front gate, unplugging my earphones before heading inside for a shower. As I fiddled with the hot and cold adjustment, I wondered how Libra actually felt about everything that had happened. Was she really that confident, that assured, or was it all a front? Was she really just a baby bird with a broken wing masquerading as an eagle? My thoughts carried me all the way to school, echoing metaphorically through the vast halls of Varsity High. I found my feet dragging me toward Cancer's locker, hoping to just see him, be with him, for a little while, but as luck would do it, he ran into me first. "Hey, Aquarius!" He smiled, and all of a sudden, all was right in the world.

"Hey, Cancer. How's it going?"

"Great, you?"

"Yeah, all good. Crazy, what's being going on with Libra, huh?"

"Totally. I mean, Scorpio... I miss him so much. Too much."

"We all miss him, Cancer. You must miss him so much more."

"Well, that's not exactly it. I feel like there's something I needed to tell him. Something... something I just can't deny anymore."

"And what would that be?"

"I'm not quite ready to share, if that's okay."

"Of course it is, Cancer. I'm here for you if you need me."

Cancer gave me one of those shy, adorable smiles, making me wonder what it was that he had wanted to tell Scorpio. Was it wrong of me to be so curious? Cancer was one of my closest friends, and if I was being honest, I did have feelings for him. It was just that way of his, that innocence... it was really, really attractive. Today, Cancer wore light blue jeans with a white v-neck long sleeved tee. A mint green windbreaker completed his look. "'Sup, Aquarius?" Libra patted me on the shoulder as she passed, dressed in a yellow wrap dress, a cropped white leather jacket and 5-inch espadrilles, Leo in tow. "Hi, Libra..." I realised Libra had walked right past, once again paying no attention to me.

"Well, I'll see you around," Cancer patted my shoulder before heading toward his Period One class. Today Cancer radiated sadness, and it made me feel horrible. What was it that was making such a kind, loving soul feel so sad? Was it something that had happened? Something on his conscience? Something he wanted to get off his chest? My curiosity was driving me crazy. "Hey, Aquarius! Oh, I'm so glad I found you," Pisces breathed. "We need to talk."

.....

"Well, what was so urgent that you had to bring me to the janitor's closet?" I asked Pisces as he closed the door behind us. "Okay, this is really important. You can't tell anyone, especially Libra, that I'm telling you this." I nodded, frowning. "Sounds serious-what's up?" Pisces evened his breath, leaning against a wooden shelf. "Well, Cancer... hasn't been himself lately." I arched a brow, taking a seat on a nearby stool. "How so?"

"Well, he never smiles for real anymore. He's gotten really cold and distant too-I texted him asking him to come to the tribute for Scorpio and he just left me on Read. The other day, I saw him at that old scrapyard two blocks left from here, crying over Scorpio's bike. But every time I ask him about Scorpio, he just tells me that there's something else. Something he needed to tell Scorpio. Something he felt he...."

"Couldn't deny anymore. I know; he said the same thing to me just a few minutes ago."

"Well, that's odd. I honestly don't get it, Aquarius. But I do know we have to figure it out."

I nodded, unlocking my phone hastily when I saw the email Principal Wilkes had sent us, informing us of a 'Get Well Soon' package for Scorpio-(mandatory) letters due by today. Smiling coyly, I turned toward Pisces, hand outstretched so he could see the email.

"I think I might know how to find out exactly what's going on with Scorpio."

.....

"... And that is how you cancel out like terms in a situation like this." I sighed, casting an arch look at Gemini. "Is this lesson boring, or is this lesson boring?" I whispered, causing Gemini to snigger. "I'll die of old age before this stupid teacher stops talking." She let out an obnoxiously loud yawn, trying to aggravate the substitute. "Hey, Gemini, I need your help with something."

"Shoot, gorgeous."

"Well, we need to get a letter from that 'Get Well Soon' package. It's locked up in Administration."

Gemini smirked, her dimples popping.

"Let's plan this damn heist."

.....

"Alright, listen up. Pretty boy will distract the staff by messing up their decorations while Gorgeous here sneaks up to the admin storage room,opens the side door and signals for me like this."

Gemini raised her left hand in a two-fingered salute, which she then pressed to her forehead.

"Gorgeous will then cause a diversion by going back around and faking an injury while I jimmy open the lock and grab Cancer's letter. When I'm done, I'll signal to you, which is when you can ask for ice. The we'll be on our way with that letter." Gemini shot me a crooked grin, gesturing toward the back entrance of the administration building. "In you go, Sherlock." I smirked, rolling my eyes. "Well, good luck out there, Watson." I waited for the collective high-pitched shriek coming from the office ladies and nurses once they found Pisces ruining their decorations before easing myself into the building, tip-toeing toward the side door. Holding the door open, I signaled for Gemini, who promptly snuck in, winking at me as I walked out. I sprinted toward the front of the administration block, wincing and clutching my knee as I walked in.

"Oh, dear, are you okay?" A concerned nurse hurried over, gesturing toward a chair as Gemini finally got the lock open. "It's my knee, Miss-it really hurts." The nurse crouched down, pressing two fingers to various spots on my knee. "Where does it hurt?" Gemini was still rummaging through the letters. "Just there, Miss," I fake-wheezed, scrunching up my face in mock-pain. "Okay, anything else?" Gemini signaled. "Miss, some ice would be appreciated." The nurse nodded, heading toward the office bench to grab an ice pack. "There you go, love. Take it easy." I smiled, fake limping out of the office with Pisces.

"Let's go!" Gemini laughed, ripping open the envelope. "Alright, I'll read it out."

"Dear Scorpio,

I miss you. Every day, when I'm walking to school and when I'm in classes and when I'm home, I think of how much I want your company. Your absence is killing me. Eating away at me. I'm hoping that you wake up soon so I can see your face and hear your voice again. I need you, Scorpio, and I never understood just how much I needed you until I lost you. All I can say is that I hope I see you again.

There's also something else. Something you need to know. Lately, things between you and I have been changing. At least they have been for me. Every time you smile, I feel like the world is a perfect place. Every time I hear your voice, all the colours, the flavours, the smells intensify. Every time I see your face, a thousand butterflies wake up in the pit of my stomach. Scorpio, I think I have feelings for you. And it's so weird, because we've been best friends for so long, but I really can't help how I feel. I know you don't feel the same way, but you just had to know.

Anyways, I hope you get well soon. Please come back to me.

With love,

Cancer."

Gemini choked slightly on the last word in shock, the letter trembling between her hands. Pisces wrung his own hands anxiously, looking at the ground desolately. Clearing my throat, I decided to be the first to speak.

"Cancer loves... Scorpio."