Underneath The Stars [discont.]

Ch 7: Coward

Mare's legs started to burn as her lungs desperately begged for a good whiff of morning air.

She was beyond upset. For what reason exactly, she couldn't tell.

Was it fair to her to have this morning play out the way it did? Or for her to find out this information through other means than Cal?

She let her feet guide her back to that hill from nights ago. Ultimately, she decides to kick the ground in frustration at her luck before climbing up the path to the top. The grass catches her short fall and pokes her in a comforting manner once she reaches her destination.

"Oh great upper power out there," she breathes out. "Give me a sign. Or something."

Nothing happens as she flutters her eyes shut for who knows how long.

____________________________

"Hey kid," Mare quickly sits up analyzing her situation. "You look like crap." the intruder smiled at her frenzied state. She groaned before falling backwards once again. "Thanks Shade. Good to see you too."

The grass blades rustled as Shade sat next to Mare. "And what's with you, stranger?"

"How'd you find me?"

"The Warren kid."

Mare tsked as the other chuckled. She threw a glance at her older brother.

"Can I ask or will you blow up on me again?" he cautioned while Mare grimaced at the memory from a couple days ago. "It's not like I meant it, ya know. You were just pushing the wrong buttons." They sat in silence as the breeze gently shook the tree leaves and the birds chirped.

"Boy problems." Mare disclosed after what felt like ages.

"Really? Thought you and old Johnny boy were done."

She rolled her eyes "No, not him. Rich boy problems."

This ignited urgency from within Shade, "Maven? Again?" Mare rolled her eyes once more.

Why did he go to him for her problems again..?

"Close. This one is engaged though," Shades eyes widened. "He didn't tell me shit about it either." And the younger sister could have sworn her brother's eyes almost popped out of his skull. Said brother sighed and shook his head. "You and these Calore's, Mare...recipe for failure." Mare pushed the other's foot. Then the blanket of silence fell back on them.

"Well," Shade breaks the quiet, "he must really like you then."

Mare almost gets whiplash from sitting up so fast.

Shade gave a weak smile. "If you were a high ranking social power, would you risk it all for someone you've known for a night? That or he just hates his fiance. But even then, why some person you've just met? " And he sounded like the fairy godmother of wisdom at the end of the monologue. "But hey. what would i know"

She turns to him, face as flushed than ever. "But then..why keep it a secret...it doesn't make sense."

"To you, maybe not. Go ask him."

"Ah. This must be why I tell you everything in the end." She fumbled looking for her phone before realizing. "Fucking hell. I left it at Thomas's." And like that all the picked up confidence leaves just as quick as it came. Shade, on the other hand, found it extremely funny at her revelation and burst out in a laugh. "Little hare, you know I love you, but I would never walk up this hill if one call worked" He continues laughing at her scowl before his stomach growls and its her turn to laugh.

"Long day?" She smirks before her stomach gives the same indicator. Shade stands before helping Mare up.

"Mom made rice. And churros." Shade says with a smile, walking back home with Mare as she properly catches him up to date with her mess of a life.

____________________________

After the bombardment of her family, Mare sat in silence in the usually noisy room. She glances to Gisa's bed before back at her phone screen.

"Why is this so difficult?" she whines to the air as her phone slips and falls onto her face. "Ugh." she mumbled, considering throwing this cell brick at the wall.

She nearly jumped when she got a text.

Fish Kid: Hey :)

Mare couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Well how was Cal supposed to know she was waiting on a text from him first.

MareMare: dont start with a smiley face.

Fish Kid: i only said one thing :(

MareMare: snitch

Fish Kid: hey cut me some slack

Fish Kid: what if he sicked ur other brothers on me

Fish Kid: they are scary ya know!!

MareMare: fair enough

MareMare: i guess

Fish Kid: you cant be mad at me forever

Fish Kid: my besty westy marey beary ❤❤

MareMare: ew

Mare let out a light laugh, swiping out the conversation before Kilorn could send another message.

She hovered at a different contact number before clicking the message button.

Mare: Hey.

Mare: You have anything you wanna tell me?

Before anxiety overcomes her and ultimately blocks this person, she sees bubbles pop up.

C. Calore: Not off the top of my head..? Why?

Mare stared and stared at the text. Her skin crawled with disappointment and disbelief. She felt like tearing out her hair from the scalp.

Then her phone started ringing.

She huffed as she closed her eyes and picked up the call. "What is it Kilorn? I'm bus-"

"Ouch. Kilorn huh?" not-Kilorn answered.

Mare cursed under her breath as her eyes shot open as she checked the caller ID. "Calore. Hi."

Mentally, she face palms at this outcome. She's 18 acting like a middle schooler for Christ's Sake. Where did the big girl Mare go??

"Did something happen Barrow?"

"Nah," she said, like a liar. "Just askin if the date's tomorrow or next weekend."

"Oh, I see! Don't chicken out on me now. It's the day after tomorrow." He says and Mare can envision his crooked grin and youthful eyes in her head.

"Tch as if." though, it wouldn't be a bad idea.