Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Libra (Part 1)

I listen with a feigned sense of disinterest as Cancer rants about Pisces, her hands gesturing wildly. "...and now she's suddenly best buddies with Virgo!" she shouts, her voice laced with exasperation.

"Mhm," I hum absently, my attention firmly fixed on my reflection in the mirror. I delicately fluff the soft waves of my hair, my eyes narrowing in concentration as I reach into my nearby purse and retrieve my favorite lip gloss. With practiced precision, I apply the shimmering balm to my lips, accentuating their full, plump curves.

"You're listening, right?" Cancer asks, her skeptical gaze boring into the side of my head.

I meet her eyes in the mirror, offering a nonchalant shrug. "Yep," I respond.

Cancer's eyes suddenly take on a devious glint. "And she's such a snake, I saw her alone on the balcony with Capricorn," she reveals, her lips curving into a knowing smirk.

At the mention of Capricorn's name, I stiffen imperceptibly, my grasp on the lip gloss tightening ever so slightly. I force myself to maintain my composure, turning to face Cancer with what I hope is a casual expression. "What?" I ask, my voice carefully neutral.

"He kissed her," Cancer says, the gleam in her eyes intensifying as she watches for my reaction.

I feel a wave of tension coil within me, but I refuse to let it show. If Cancer senses any vulnerability, any crack in my carefully crafted facade, it could jeopardize everything I've been working towards. "Oh, he was just being nice," I dismiss airily, shrugging my shoulders in a display of nonchalance. "He does that."

Cancer's smirk widens, and she lets out a barely contained laugh. "Is that what he was doing when he kissed you?" she asks her tone filled with amusement.

I level her with a dark, pointed glare, my eyes narrowing dangerously. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" I ask, quickly snatching up my phone and taking a seat on the bed, effectively putting distance between us.

"Yes, a date with Scorp," she grins, throwing up a peace sign.

I roll my eyes dramatically, a lighthearted laugh escaping my lips. "If doing your homework together is a date, then sure," I quip, my tone playful.

"Whatever," she says, sticking out her tongue in a childish gesture. "Later," she adds, finally turning and exiting the room.

As the door closes behind her, my facade crumbles and my lips press together in a thin, grim line. My mind is already whirring as I try to recalculate my next move.

Why would he kiss Pisces?

I thought there was a chance he liked me...after that day.

I absentmindedly twirl a lock of my curly hair around my finger, running digits through the soft strands as I lose myself in my thoughts. Suddenly, a sharp knock at the door startles me.

"Cancer's back?" I wonder aloud, cautiously making my way to the entrance. Hesitantly, I pull the door open, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight - Capricorn standing before me, his hand nervously rubbing the back of his neck as he averts his gaze.

"Cap?" I say, my voice betraying a hint of flustered surprise at his arrival.

"Hey, Libby," he says, the familiar moniker causing a slight twinge of annoyance to ripple through me.

"Why are you still calling me that?" I ask, my tone slightly sharper than I intended.

He chuckles a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, have I?" Without waiting for my permission, he casually strolls inside, "I hadn't even realized," he adds, a teasing lilt to his voice.