Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Scorpio (Part 2)

"Here," Libra says, handing me a sleek, bright blue gift bag, the crisp "Air Realm Airlines" logo emblazoned across it in elegant white lettering.

"Thanks," I responded, taking the bag in my hand and peering inside to ensure she's gotten everything I requested. Upon seeing that it's all there, I retrieved my wallet, already mentally calculating the conversion from Air Realm cash to Capital currency. "Sorry, I only have Capital money," I tell her, ready to hand over a few crisp paper bills.

Libra waves me off with a dismissive gesture, "It's fine, pay me back later," she insists, glancing back over her shoulder toward the departure gates. "I better go before I miss my flight," she says, a slight urgency creeping into her voice.

"Yeah...okay," I respond hesitantly, rubbing the back of my neck as I consider whether I'm perhaps going overboard with this.

Sensing my unease, Libra offers me a warm, reassuring smile. She reaches out, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "And stop worrying," she advises, her eyes meeting mine with a knowing gaze. "She'll love them."

I can't help but smile back at her, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. Libra nods, seemingly satisfied, and with one final parting glance, she turns and hurries away, her flowing lavender skirt swishing around her ankles as she goes.

Not long after, Cancer approaches me, her eyes narrowed with curiosity as she watches Libra's retreating form. "What was that about?" she asks, crossing her arms over her chest, her gaze now fixed on the bag in my hands.

Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I avert my eyes, unwilling to meet Cancer's probing stare. "...Nothing," I mutter, my grip on the bag tightening as I brush her off. Eager to change the subject, I gesture towards the exit. "Let's go," I say, quickly turning and walking away, leaving Cancer to trail behind me, no doubt still brimming with questions.

After delivering nearly all the signs for Parents Week, only the water signs remained. At the Air Realms Airport, I stepped out to pick up a few gifts for Aquarius, misleading Cancer and Pisces into thinking I simply just wanted to see the air signs off. With the help of Libra's discerning eye, I had managed to procure a few thoughtful gifts, my hope being that they might somehow smooth over the lingering tensions between Aquarius and myself.

Cancer had tagged along, claiming she wanted to "stretch her legs," but I couldn't shake the feeling that her true motivations were far more driven by suspicion of my intentions. The last thing I wanted was to be in her company, especially after the events that had transpired between us.

As we made our way back to the car, Cancer's voice suddenly snapped me out of my contemplative thoughts. "...We should talk, you know," she spoke up, her arms still crossed protectively over her chest.

"About what?" I asked, feigning ignorance as I kept my gaze trained downward. My hand instinctively slid into my pocket, concealing the way my fingers had clenched into a tight fist.

Cancer fell silent then, and I realized she had stopped walking with me. Turning around, I found her standing several paces behind, her dark eyes locked onto mine with a harsh intensity. "...Why'd you tell everyone I was drunk?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she were afraid of the answer.

"Weren't you?" I questioned, squinting my eyes in a feigned display of confusion, though we both knew the truth of what had occurred.

Cancer's features hardened, her brow furrowing in a glare. "I wasn't," she stated firmly, closing the distance between us until she was practically in my personal space. "And you know it," she hissed, the accusation in her tone unmistakable. I couldn't help but take a step back, the sudden proximity unsettling me. As Cancer turned her head, I caught a glimpse of the hurt in her expression. "You didn't kiss me, you rejected me..." she murmured, her hand absently rubbing her arm in an uneasy gesture, as if the words pained her to say aloud.