Ordo Noctis

Chapter 14

The next morning, I woke up in the same clothes as yesterday, under the covers in our hotel room. Mars was lying next to me, chest rising and falling lightly. He was still holding my hand.

I gently pulled away and got out of bed, getting ready for the day. Meeting my parents... it felt like a dream come true. I didn't realize how important it was to me until Han brought it up again.

Mars rose just as I finished doing my makeup. Today I had chosen a light shade of blue eyeshadow and pink gloss. I wanted to make a good impression on my family, so I tried not to do anything dramatic or goth like my usual style. I wove a few little braids into my hair and let it fall around my face. I liked how braids looked in my hair because it was black with orange highlights. The multiple colors complimented each other nicely.

Mars's jaw dropped when he saw me. "You don't look like a mysterious and moody teenager!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm trying not to look too crazy when I meet my parents. Is it that bad?"

He smirked. "No, it's not bad. Girly is definitely not your aesthetic, but you pull it off."

Mars got out of bed and began preparing as well. I finished packing my bag and sat on a nearby armchair to use my phone. "Looks like we can fly from Fukuoka Airport to some other one, then straight to Venice. I found both of our families in Ordo Noctis's files."

"Perfect," Mars said absentmindedly. He was walking about the room, not doing anything in particular. He had a dazed look in his eyes.

"Mars? You okay?"

He blinked. "Yeah..." Then reconsidered. "No."

"What's up?"

He sat on the edge of the bed. "I just... I'm so nervous to meet my parents. What if they don't like me? What if I'm a disappointment to them? What if... what if they didn't want me in the first place, and don't want to be reminded that I exist?"

I took a deep breath. "I won't pretend I haven't been having the same thoughts. But - hey, look at me."

Mars looked up and we locked eyes. "You are talented, intelligent, and compassionate," I told him. "Your parents have nothing to dislike, and shame on them if they somehow find something."

Mars looked back at his lap. "That's... probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me." He laughed. "I probably sound so pathetic."

"No you don't. You sound like a fifteen year-old that's about to meet his family for the first time. You're allowed to be terrified - I know I am."

Mars laughed. "Thanks, Star. I'm glad we have each other. You're honestly the only person that could help me through... all of this. I don't know what I'd do if I was on my own."

I smiled. "Same to you. Now let's get going - we have a plane to catch!"