Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Cancer

"You should've told me you were coming," Neptune says, his deep, smooth voice reaching my ears through the static of the phone. "I would've totally gone."

Over the past few days, Neptune and I have grown a lot closer, our bond strengthening with each conversation. It's been a welcome source of comfort, having him by my side when I felt like I had no one else to turn to. But we haven't been able to see each other in person due to Sagittarius' trip and the timing of winter break. With Sunny's party tonight, I was hoping to finally get that chance to be with him face-to-face, instead of settling for the impersonal medium of phone calls and text messages. And now I was just finding out that Neptune wasn't going, leaving me worried and apprehensive about being the odd one out among the close-knit friend group of zodiacs.

"I just assumed you'd be there," I muttered, my eyes downcast to my feet as I held the cool, sleek surface of the phone against my ear, a flicker of disappointment escaping my lips. "I mean, it is Sunny's party after all."

"Yeah, parties aren't really my scene," Neptune replies, his tone sheepish and laced with a hint of regret.

"Mine either..." I trail off, the words heavy on my tongue as I contemplated the prospect of having to attend the event, not at all excited by the thought. "But unfortunately, if the group wants to go, I have to go."

"I'm sorry, I regret making plans now," Neptune apologizes, and I can hear the genuine remorse in his voice. The line goes silent for a moment, the muffled static filling the space between us, until his voice picks up again, this time with a more enthusiastic, uplifting tone. "You know what, maybe I'll stop by."

I felt a faint smile tug at the corners of my lips, the gesture a fleeting and subtle one. "Thanks, but..." I trail off, my free hand reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, the silky strands caressing my skin. "It's okay, I'll be fine."

"Okay, just...try to have a good time," Neptune says, his words laced with genuine concern. I nod in response, though I know he can't see the gesture.

We end our phone call, and I let out a heavy, resigned sigh as I head back inside the house. In the dim, amber-hued glow of the living room, I observe the charged interaction unfolding before me. Virgo sits ramrod straight on the couch, her features scrunched in a look of hesitance as Gemini meticulously applies a rosy, shimmering blush to the apples of her cheeks.

"Do I really have to do this?" Virgo asks, her normally composed voice tinged with a note of trepidation. Her blue eyes dart anxiously between Gemini's focused gaze and Pisces' determined demeanor.

The muffled sounds of laughter and enthusiastic chatter drift in from the kitchen, where Aries, Sagittarius, Libra, Aquarius, and Taurus are no doubt reveling in the excitement of Sunny's impending party.

"Of course, beauty is the way to Leo's heart after all," Gemini giggles, her eyes glinting with mischief as she sets aside the makeup brush and reaches for the mascara from the sprawling array of cosmetics on the coffee table.

As I sink into the plush cushions of the adjacent loveseat, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible, Pisces' voice suddenly rings out, the typically timid and soft-spoken girl surprising me with her newfound assertiveness.

"She already has his heart," Pisces says, her brow furrowing in a display of exasperation. "Just admit you wanted an excuse to do her makeup." She continues, her large, expressive eyes narrowing.

I have to blink twice, my gaze zeroing in on Pisces, unable to reconcile this outspoken personality with the meek, shy individual I'm accustomed to. It's as if a veil has been lifted, revealing a new, more empowered side of her that I never knew existed.