An Astronomer's Guide to Falling Angels

Chapter 8

The next day, Astor could hardly contain his excitement as he approached Lukas and Oda during lunch. His heart was still racing from the moment Arty had asked him to the dance, and he could feel the words bubbling up in his chest, eager to spill out. Lukas and Oda were deep in conversation when he reached them, but the second he arrived, Lukas turned toward him with a mischievous smile.

"Hey, Astor! You look like you've got something big to share," Lukas teased, his bright eyes full of curiosity.

Astor couldn't help but grin, feeling a little shy but too excited to keep it in any longer. "Arty asked me to the dance!" he blurted out, his voice a little louder than intended.

Lukas's eyes widened in surprise before a delighted smile spread across his face. "No way! Oh my god, this is huge!" He immediately grabbed Astor's arm, pulling him into a quick spin. "We need to go shopping—right now! You need the perfect outfit for this!"

Astor's excitement wavered for a second as he realized what Lukas was implying. "Wait, now?"

"Yes, now! The dance is coming up, and you can't just wear anything!" Lukas was already on his feet, pulling Astor along. "Oda, you're coming too."

Oda groaned, lounging lazily on the bench. "Lukas, I don't need anything new. My old tux is fine."

"Nope. Not happening," Lukas said with a determined glint in his eye. "You're getting something fresh. It's not the Met Gala, but it's close."

Oda grumbled but eventually got up, mumbling something about how Lukas was being way too dramatic. Still, she followed along, occasionally darting ahead to try and avoid Lukas's relentless fashion commentary.

At the store, Astor wandered through the racks, his nerves starting to catch up with him. He felt an odd pressure in his chest as he skimmed through the clothing options, trying to find something that both suited him and fit the occasion. Lukas was happily browsing nearby, holding up outfits to examine, while Oda was already trying to sneak out of sight behind a row of suits.

Astor's hand hovered over a delicate-looking dress shirt—something with a feminine cut and soft fabric. He liked the look of it, but his stomach twisted in knots as he thought about wearing something like that in front of his family. His mother's sharp voice echoed in his mind, filled with disapproval.

"Find something you actually like, not what you think your family would approve of," Lukas called from a few feet away, startling him from his thoughts.

Astor hesitated, his hand pulling back from the shirt. "I don't know... I mean, I have to be careful. You know how they are."

Lukas walked over, crossing his arms with a serious expression. "I know how they are. But I also know you, and this is your night. You should feel good in what you wear."

Astor fidgeted, glancing nervously between the clothes and his friend. He could feel the words sitting heavy on his tongue, the confession he'd been holding back. Finally, after a long moment of hesitation, he blurted it out, "I wanted to wear something more... feminine."

Lukas's expression softened immediately, a kind smile replacing his earlier seriousness. "You should."

"I—" Astor bit his lip, unsure of how to explain. "I like how it looks. I like the aesthetic, but..." His voice trailed off, the rest of the sentence hanging in the air. The fear of what his mother or others might say was all too real.

Lukas placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Astor, if that's what you want, then wear it. You shouldn't be afraid of what other people think. Besides," he added with a smirk, "I guarantee Arty will think you look amazing."