Museum of Stars- A Zodiac Story

Chapter 19: The Debate of Partnership

In Virgo's Point of View

When someone asks you to be your partner for today, you expect them to stick with you for the entire day, right? Well, apparently not.

Look at Scorpio and Taurus. They were paired, and they haven't left each other's side since, even until now. Gemini and Sagittarius started off awkward, and now they can't stop talking. Leo and Aquarius have never been close, but they're still loyal to their pairing. And Cancer and Pisces are literal best friends. Aries and Libra were paired too, and they seem to be a little closer now.

Now look at Capricorn. He left me thrice today. When we were unpacking, he suddenly zoned out and disappeared. Then he said he had to go somewhere and was away for more than hours. And now there he is. I was talking to him and then, poof, suddenly he's gone again, you know.

All right, breathe in, breathe out. I'm starting to sound like Aries- throwing a tantrum.

Oh, speaking of which. I was less frustrated with him now than before we left for Madrid. We made this little pact thing. Everyone was excited to go to Spain, and I decided I wouldn't want to be the person who ruins this trip for everyone. For a while, I thought that Aries and I would stop fighting.

I realized only today I was wrong about a lot of things.

~~~

"Hey," I told Capricorn that night. "'You want to make it up to Libra, right? Well, maybe we could switch partners so you could talk to her tomorrow more. I'm sure she'll agree."

"Uh, are you sure?" he asked. "I don't remember the two of us spending time this morning, so I was hoping to catch up tomorrow. And are you sure Aries will be okay with this?"

"I'm flattered of you wanting to spend time with me, but whose fault do you think it was that we didn't get to explore Madrid together?"

Capricorn sighed. "Vi, I'm sorry. I just had to make sure that—"

"Libra's alright, I know," I interrupted. "But anyway! I want to make peace with Aries. I think. I'm a little tired of having to counterpoint everything he says. And I think it'll be beneficial for our group."

"Will Master approve of your proposal?"

"I don't really plan on telling her," I said sheepishly. "But now that you mention it, I don't really plan on doing it anymore."

"Is Aries that hard not to strangle?" Capricorn smirked. "I'll leave you to think it over?"

"Yeah, I'll be going now," I smiled and left his part of the boys' room. Inside the hut, there were only four parts. Two bedrooms, one kitchen, and the bathroom. There's a hallway in between the two rooms that leads to the door outside. And outside, the dining table.

Our hut was in the middle of a far-stretching landscape of flat rocks, and there were enough trees to make it feel like my home in the sky with my parents. Almost everyone bid me goodnight, and soon, I was alone outside. The night brought a cold breeze and I smiled, that melancholic kind of smile.

My brain began debating against itself- Should I apologize to Aries and risk my pride? You know those types always have the biggest heads. If I don't do something about it, though, nothing's going to happen. Suddenly, a voice spoke behind me.

"Love problems?"

I turned around and saw Leo leaning against a tree. I shook my head, and she gestured we walked together.

"Your face suggests that you've been having a difficult day. Are you and Aquarius alright?" I asked the girl.

"Yes, well, we were never really close in the first place. I'm thinking of just quitting the love business, but then I saw your hopeless face and decided, Je ne me reposerais pas quand je suis triste. I won't rest when I'm sad."

"You and Aquarius fought; did I understand correctly?"

"No, it's sort of the opposite," Leo sighed. "I was this close to telling him how I feel, and then suddenly, I realize I'm not ready. Imagine yourself, mid-confession, suddenly in an awkward stance with nothing to say."

"He might be dealing with a lot of things right now. I don't think he can handle a confession anytime soon, and neither can you," I advised.

"I know. I knew it the moment we were paired. But who am I to control what Sagittarius does? He pulled Gemini away and not me! The traitor," she scoffed.

I laughed. "At least you got to spend time with Aquarius. Which places did you go?"

Leo sighed dreamily, "We watched the sunset together, in Madrid, just before the moment we become outlaws because of what Scorpio and Taurus landed themselves into. Romantic!"

"I'll never understand your views of romance."

"You're about to experience one right now," Leo said as she hid behind the house. I thought she was going back inside.

And there was Aries, just coming out of the house. "Why are you here and not asleep?" he frowned.

"I was just about to go in when Leo came out and talked to me. And now you're here," I sighed. "Did you hear what Leo said?"

"She goes by Sparkle, haven't you heard? She's unconfident with her name because it sounds like a boy's."

"I'm glad you're concerned for your friends, but have you heard what she said?"

"That you're about to experience love? I've heard that much. Is it because I just arrived and now she thinks we like each other?"

"No, not that part."

Aries turned away and crossed his arms, "Well, which part then?" he demanded.

"She and Aquarius were paired because of Sagittarius, so they weren't originally paired. Which means we can switch partners. And about the pairings..." I began slowly. "We're paired up tomorrow."

"What- even Capricorn bailed out on you?"

"It was my decision!" I shouted.

"Look who's letting out steam. And why did you make that decision?"

"Capricorn needs to make up with Libra too, so I decided they should spend the day tomorrow. Besides, with their brains, they might even find one of the Air Sign's items," I lied. The real reason became a little too embarrassing.

Aries sighed, but his hair turned red. "Sure. Whatever. I'm too tired to argue with you tonight," he said and went inside.

"Sleep well," I said. "I guess."

Leo went back out. "Ooh. You're partnering up with him. I didn't see that coming. But then again the most serious ones are the unexpected ones- Oh, you're hair is green."

I sighed. I remember seeing Aries' hair turn red, Libra's hair turn silver, and Taurus' hair always switches from olive green to her actual mint green hair.

"Wait, you don't know why that happens?" Leo asked.

"No."

"You speak so informal with Aries. It's a sign!" Leo squealed and tripped herself on the way to the hut. She bumped into Aquarius and muttered, "Bon nuit, mon chouchou," before squealing her way to the girls' room.

A sign?

I swear I could see Aquarius' black hair turn gray. He looked in my direction and walked towards me, "I made hot chocolate." He held a cup of said drink in front of him. The two of us sat on the dining table which, like I said, was outside the hut.

"Is there many of us still awake?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "No. There's you, me, Aries, and Leo just got inside. It looks like you got Aries' spirits a little higher."

"I did, huh." I smiled and sipped the hot chocolate. "I assume you're quite happy too."

Aquarius nodded, and we clinked cups under the star-streaked sky.