Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Libra (Part 2)

"Okay, does everyone have everything?" Capricorn calls out, his authoritative voice cutting through the collective groans and murmurs of the impatient group gathered around the van. Our heavy luggage has been efficiently loaded up by Taurus, whose biceps strain against the fabric of his shirt as he secures the last piece.

I stand there silently, my arms folded across my chest in a defensive posture, purposefully avoiding Capricorn's gaze. The memory of his actions at the barbecue burns fresh in my mind. The way he carelessly shattered my heart without a second thought ignites a simmering resentment that I struggle to conceal.

Capricorn's eyes sweep over the group, taking a mental inventory, until they finally land on me. "Libra," he calls out, prompting everyone to turn their attention in my direction. I can't help but roll my eyes in exasperation as he continues, "Could you double-check, just really quick?"

I nod tersely, not because he's ordered me to, but because I had been eager to escape his presence. In a blur of super-powered movement, I speed off, my bursts of energy carrying me around the cabin in a dizzying display. I dart from room to room, my keen eyes sweeping over drawers and closets, ensuring that nothing has been left behind.

When I'm finished with my task, I head back outside, rejoining the others. "We're set," I announce, my voice tinged with a hint of defiance as I folded my arms across my chest and level Capricorn with a withering glare.

"Cool, same seats as last time," Capricorn says, casting a quick, almost calculated glance in my direction. I groan inwardly, the realization that I'll be sharing a seat with him once again settling like a weight in the pit of my stomach.

The group piled into the cramped, stuffy van, the air thick with hushed, hurried chatter. As I slid into the worn, creaking seat, I was immediately taken aback to see Capricorn had claimed the driver's position. A flash of annoyance and confusion crossed my face, my brows furrowing slightly as I tried to decipher his unexpected move.

Aries swung open the heavy side door and slipped in beside me, the worn leather seat cushion dipping under his weight. Giving me a casual nod, he murmured a low, "Sup," before shutting the door with a soft thud that reverberated through the confined space.

I pressed my lips together in a thin, tight line, pointedly turning away from him, my arms crossing over my chest. "Don't talk to me," I muttered, my gaze fixed resolutely out the grimy window.

"Okay..." Aries trails off, slightly confused by my hostility. He pops a bright white earbud into his ear and presses a button on his phone, blasting loud music that I can faintly hear from the outside.

I caught Capricorn's gaze again in the rearview mirror, our eyes locking for a brief moment. His expression was unreadable, that stoic facade firmly in place. Turning back to Aries, I murmured in a slightly awkward tone, "Actually, nevermind...you can talk to me."

Aries' face lit up with a friendly grin, the dimple in his cheek becoming more pronounced. "Okay," he replied, quickly removing the earbud and giving me his full attention.

I notice Capricorn let out a frustrated breath and look away, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. Suddenly, Taurus whirls around in the front seat, his brows furrowed in a possessive glare. "Hey, you can't flirt with her," he warns, his gaze fixed on Aries. "That's my thing."

"I wasn't flirting, dipshit," Aries retorted, shoving Taurus back around with a huff. Taurus rolled his eyes and settled into his seat, preparing to catch a quick nap.

Aries turned to me, that friendly smile still on his face. "So..." he trailed off, attempting to make conversation as we buckled up our seatbelts. "You and I don't talk much."