My Shooting Star

Chapter 3

Astra's POV
After 2 more hours of studying and far too many brownies, Phoenix was ready to go home. "Thank you so much for helping me. It means a lot."
"No problem. Your French is good, you just needed a bit of extra help. Same time tomorrow?" I ask, hoping Phoenix was listening to me but i could see him looking at Alya through the kitchen door while we were standing in the hallway.
"Umm yeah. That's fine." He eventually replies not taking his eyes away from Alya. "The brownies were amazing. Thank you, Alya." He shouts through to the kitchen before saying a final bye and leaving to go back home.
It was lunchtime the next day and Alya and I were spending it the same way we always do - in the hall watching people. Today, I was mainly watching Leo and Capella. I wanted to see if what Phoenix had said last night was true and that they weren't that close anymore.
I was just about to take a bite of my favourite ham, cheese and pickle sandwich when I was suddenly distracted by shouting. Alya and I looked at each other then looked towards the direction of the shouting. It was Leo and Capella arguing. Phoenix stood there looking uncomfortable and trying to get Leo to walk away.
After 15 minutes of screaming at each other (Alya and I unable to hear what about), Leo stormed out of the hall, kicking the bin over on the way out. Capella stared at me from over the hall and flipped me her middle finger before storming out the exit opposite Leo had just got out of. Phoenix looked very uncomfortable. "Maybe we should go over to Phoenix?" I wondered.
"Yeah. Let's go check if he is okay." Alya replied but just as I stood up, Phoenix was running out of the room towards Leo. "Oh well. We can ask him later." Alya says as she watches him run away. "Yeah of course!" I say while watching Leo as he sits against the locker. I start to feel bad. Normally I would be the one who would comfort him when he was upset. I start to think about the first time he needed comforting, it was the first time Capella had rejected him. He was crushed. I comforted him and we spent all night together. Watching action movies and laughing. He slept around that night as well and went home at lunchtime. "Don't let it bother you. If you mean that much to Leo he will come and speak to you when he is ready." Alya whispered to me as she saw the upset look on her face. "I know, thanks, Alya. Let's head to our next lesson?" Alya just nodded smiling and we both started to walk towards our next lesson. We had to walk towards Leo and Phoenix. I tried to smile at Leo as we walked past. He just looked up and looked away again. I and Alya just walked into our next lesson.
After school, we walked out to my car. " Is that Phoenix?" I asked while walking over and waving at him. "Guess so. Come on, let's go." Alya replied as we continued walking over. "Hey, Phoenix! What did you want to work on today?"
"Festivals?" He asked as we all got in the car.
"Yeah, sure!" I replied and put on some music. I and Alya sang along and danced, forgetting all about what had happened that day. When we arrived at my house, I got out some snacks and drinks and got the worksheets out for Phoenix. "Alya want to quiz us?" I asked.
"Yeah! Sure. What date is mother's day?" She asked.
"Je dimanche dernier en Juin." I replied as Phoenix said, "The last Sunday in June."
"Both of you are correct I think?" Alya questioned and turned to me and I nodded "What is on the 14th of July?" Alya asked.
"The celebration of the French Revolution" I replied before turning to Phoenix and adding "What is the French Revolution?"
"The French Revolution was when the prison, called the Bastille, was stormed," Phoenix answered.
"Amazing! Well done Phoenix!" I replied smiling and Alya clapped.
We kept questioning each other on the festivals in France for hours, celebrating when Phoenix got it right and helping him if he got it wrong. This happened for hours until it got dark. "Wow! It got dark so quickly." I said while looking out the window. "Phoenix you should stay here, it's late. You can sleep in the spare room?" I added.
"Yeah sure." He replied.
"I can bring him to the room if you want to clean up Astra?" Alya asked.
"Sure!" I answered and started to clean up.