Run Away ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter four

Hum Hallelujah by Fall Out Boy

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Antheia never found her scarf which was beginning to annoy her. It was only early fall, but it was still cold at night, especially on the Astronomy tower. The special event class didn't feel that special to her when she arrived. A class full of tired faces that would rather be anywhere else on a Saturday night.

"Good evening, my little stars," Professor Shah greeted them, "I believe you all must be bursting with joy to see Orion tonight!"

A handful of sad attempts of cheers went around. Antheia tried to play along in hopes that Shah might notice her attempt to try.

"In a moment we will all go up to the observation deck to begin class. And since it is still the weekend, I'd decided to be kind and allow you to work in partners to make charting the constellation go by faster."

It would have been kinder to skip a weekend class to start. But at least if she had a smart enough partner, then they could finish fast and she might be able to spend time with Desmond.

"I've gone ahead and matched you up already to make the process easier for you all," Shah explained to a lot of concerned sighs.

Antheia had been hopeful that it would work in her favorite though. The teacher was already concerned about her grades, no doubt she'd pick someone that would be helpful for her. It may have been the only time that she had been excited at the idea of the teacher picking a partner for her.

But as all of her first choices were called away, her hopes began to fade. The fewer and fewer faces left began to worry her.

"Bishop and Evergreen, Finley and Walker, and finally," Shah riddled, "Wynters and Sallow."

Shit.

The sound of Anne's eye-rolling was so loud that she could hear it from across the room. At least she was smarter than her. The chart might be done soon at else.

Her partner didn't even wait for her once they were dismissed. Forcing her to push through the awkward pairs as she made her way up the stairs. By the time she caught up to Anne their telescope was already set up and her notes were out as she began building a chart.

"Let's just get this over with," was how Anne chose to greet her, "I don't want to be here either."

"Works for me," Antheia agreed.

Their relationship was best described as odd. At first, the two had gotten along well. During the fifth year when they had met, Anne had been so sick with a curse and until recently had been out of classes. When she came back to attend classes at the end of the sixth year everyone was shocked. Her curse never went away, but she had gotten much better at remedying her pain.

If it wasn't for the cursed girl, Antheia likely would have died in the catacombs. She had tried to thank her before, but Anne didn't want to talk about it after.

After that day they both began avoiding each other. It was difficult to be around one another and not think about that day. Anne especially wanted to move on and put everything that had happened behind her.

"Do you have the constellation lined up yet?"

"I think so?" Antheia said unconfidently as she adjusted the telescope. All the stars looked the same, she'd never understand how someone could tell them apart so easily.