Constellations Of The Heart

7.

“Right, so here’s the plan,” Taurus boomed, his voice echoing off the walls of the parking lot. With arms crossed, he exuded the kind of confidence that made it hard not to pay attention. “You all have partners, and each pair is responsible for something essential for our camping trip. Now, listen carefully!”

The group leaned in closer, eager to decipher Taurus’s plans, a mixture of excitement and impending chaos buzzing in the air.

“Capricorn and I will be in charge of getting the tents,” he declared, winking at the notably serious Capricorn, who merely nodded stoically.

“Cancer and Sagittarius, you’re on drinks duty,” Taurus continued, gesturing toward the two gigglers in the crowd. Cancer, ever the nurturer, was already clutching a list titled “Hydration Station,” while Sagittarius enthusiastically jotted down more beverage ideas, inspecting the contents of his rather outlandish backpack.

“Leo and Aquarius will handle entertainment,” Taurus announced. Leo puffed out her chest dramatically, as Aquarius gave an unimpressed salute—his mischievous grin hinted at shenanigans already planned.

“Pisces and Scorpio are food handlers,” Taurus proclaimed. At this, Scorpio raised a finger, envisioning weird combinations while Pisces scribbled down fish-themed snack ideas—of course.

“Libra and Virgo will manage medication, just in case someone gets sick,” Taurus continued. Libra winked at Virgo, who instinctively cringed, knowing she would need to step up her health game. Virgo always brought a plethora of herbal remedies to any trip.

“Finally, Aries and Gemini, you’re in charge of snacks!” Taurus finished with a flourish of his hands, equal parts proud and exasperated at how snacks had become a project of their own.

Gemini and Aries navigated the colorful maze of the grocery store, their laughter mingling with the hum of fluorescent lights overhead. The sweet, enticing smell of chocolate wafted through the air, and the vibrant rows of candy lined up like soldiers waiting for battle. They were on a mission to gather snacks for their big camping trip with the group—an adventure that promised both excitement and bonding.

"So... what are we getting?" Gemini asked, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“I don’t know, mama. Candy? Chocolates? Chips?” Aries replied, tilting his head slightly as he pondered over the vast assortment before them.

Gemini shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. “Sure, I guess.” She moved deeper into the aisle, her gaze darting around as if trying to absorb every option at once. It wasn’t just about the snacks; this was a chance for them to escape the mundane reality of their everyday lives and step into the great outdoors, where the stars would twinkle above like scattered diamonds.

As she continued to scan the colorful packages, her eyes fell upon an oversized bag of sour gummies, its bright green and pink packaging practically glowing under the store lights.

“OH MY GOSH, I'M SO GETTING THIS!” she squealed, her excitement bubbling over. Without a second thought, she dashed toward the shelf, only to come to an abrupt halt when she realized the bag was perched high above her reach.

Frustration clouded her features for a brief moment, but in the next heartbeat, she felt a presence beside her. Aries, with his sun-kissed hair and warm smile, stood tall and unbothered by the challenge before him.

“Here, let me get that for you,” he said, stretching his arm upward, seemingly oblivious to the way Gemini’s heart raced at this sudden close proximity. She stared up at him, captivated by the way the light danced in his amber eyes, making them shimmer like molten gold.

In that stifling moment, time froze—the surrounding cacophony of shopping faded into a soft hum, and all that remained was the electric spark of their connection. Gemini couldn’t understand why butterflies took flight in her stomach. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts, but the fluttery feeling only deepened.

As Aries finally retrieved the bag and turned to face her, their eyes locked once again. He seemed slightly surprised by the intensity lingering between them, an unspoken understanding pulsing silently in the air.

“Got it!” He grinned, presenting the bag triumphantly as if he’d just won a great battle.

Minutes passed in silence, both of them caught up in the gentle, new rhythm of their interaction. Gemini felt her cheeks flush with warmth, and she quickly looked down, breaking the spell as she whispered, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, mama.” The pride in Aries’s voice made her heart leap again. The playful nickname didn’t bother her; instead, it created a sense of familiarity that she hadn’t expected.

Gemini rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. “You know, you could just call me by my name."

"Where’s the fun in that?" he teased, a hint of mischief dancing across his lips. The warmth between them started to feel as palpable as the summer sun beating through the store windows.

The sun hung low over the parking lot, casting long shadows as the twelve Zodiac signs gathered around a minivan laden with bags from their extensive shopping spree. The asphalt was dotted with spilled soda and stray snack wrappers, remnants of their collective excursion to the mall. Laughter echoed, punctuated by bickering over which snacks would make it to their camping trip.

Taurus plopped into the driver's seat, both eager and a tad reluctant to take the wheel. “Alright, everyone! Buckle up,” he said, adjusting the rearview mirror with a grunt of satisfaction. The other signs scrambled to find their seats, the vehicle turning into a chaotic mess of laughter.

******

"Okay, so once we’re at home I’m going to go through everything with you guys, okay?” Capricorn said with a gentle smile.

The rest of the gang collectively nodded, excitement leaping in the air like summer fireflies.