An Astronomer's Guide to Falling Angels

Chapter 7

The school was practically buzzing with excitement. The autumn dance was just days away, and the hallways were full of chatter about decorations, outfits, and, of course, who was bringing whom. As the student council president, Astor had been somewhat involved in the event, but it was Lukas who had taken the planning committee by storm, throwing himself into the preparations like it was the Met Gala itself.

Oda had been the first to crack a joke about it, nudging Lukas as they all sat around a table in the courtyard during lunch. "Honestly, Lukas, you're acting like this is the biggest event of the century. Calm down before you explode."

Lukas, not missing a beat, grinned widely. "Well, darling, if I don't act like it's the Met Gala, who will? The common folk need someone with vision."

Astor, arriving at that moment, laughed softly as he approached the group, though his eyes immediately found Arty. She was sitting quietly on the bench, an unusual stillness about her. Even in their tight-knit circle, it was rare to see her so withdrawn. Louis, ever perceptive, glanced over at Arty with concern.

"Hey, you alright?" Louis asked, leaning slightly towards her.

Arty looked up, blinking out of her thoughts. There was a brief pause before she shrugged, giving a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, I'm good," she said, waving it off with a typical joke. "Just mentally preparing myself for Lukas' costume—gonna need sunglasses, I bet."

Louis smiled at the joke, but her eyes lingered on Arty for a moment longer, clearly not buying it. Still, she let it slide.

Astor, meanwhile, plopped down on the bench next to Arty with his usual grace, his presence instantly brightening the mood. He set his bag on the ground and, without hesitation, Arty wrapped an arm around his waist. The motion was casual, something she did often, but today it felt particularly comforting. Astor giggled, leaning into her embrace, warmth filling his chest. Even on the quieter days, being close to Arty always made him feel safe, like nothing else mattered.

Lukas was still chattering excitedly about the dance, likely running through yet another list of decorations or colour schemes. Oda was teasing him mercilessly, and Louis was half-listening, her eyes flicking between her friends. But Arty, her arm snug around Astor, suddenly spoke up.

"What are your favourite flowers?" she asked, her voice almost absentminded, as if the question had just slipped out of her thoughts.

Astor blinked, surprised by the unexpected question. He tilted his head slightly to look up at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Flowers?" he echoed, his tone thoughtful as if the answer required some consideration. "I guess... I've always liked bluebells."

"Bluebells?" Arty's voice was curious, her grip on his waist tightening slightly as she leaned a little closer. "Why?"

Astor's smile widened. "They remind me of you," he said softly. "Remember? You gave me one on our first day of preschool."

There was a brief moment of silence, and then Arty's lips quirked up into a small smile. She hadn't expected him to remember that, let alone cherish it so deeply. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice a little quieter. "I guess I did."

The conversation around them continued, with Lukas talking animatedly about the upcoming dance and Oda chiming in with quips about the "fashion disasters" they were sure to witness. But for Astor and Arty, the world had faded slightly, the noise of their friends blending into the background.

"Are you going to the dance?" Astor asked her quietly, though he already knew the answer.

Arty scoffed, leaning back slightly as she glanced over at him. "You know me. Dances aren't really my thing. I'd rather hang out with you somewhere quieter."