An Astronomer's Guide to Falling Angels

Chapter 20

Sunday night at Oda's place was anything but quiet. Arty stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching Oda and Meredith locked in a heated match of Mario Kart. Oda's eyes were narrowed in concentration, tongue poking out from between her teeth as she tried to avoid Meredith's shells. Meredith, on the other hand, had an expression of calm focus, her fingers deftly working the controller, almost serene in her precision. They'd been at it for hours, yelling at each other, teasing, and occasionally swearing when one got the upper hand.

"Y'all really need to get a life," Arty teased, raising an eyebrow as she slid on her jacket.

Meredith didn't look up from the screen, her character dodging Oda's last-ditch banana peel. "I have a life. I'm just putting it on hold for a bit, staying here for... several reasons."

Oda snorted, her eyes still glued to the race. "Several reasons, huh? Any of them sitting right here?" she asked with a mischievous grin, though there was a trace of sincerity in the question.

Meredith rolled her eyes, but the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "As if. Though, James and I have been texting. We're planning to go out sometime."

Oda's jaw dropped, momentarily distracted enough that Meredith easily won the race, crossing the finish line with a triumphant smirk. "Wait, you're actually going somewhere with James? Like, actually?"

Meredith snorted but there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Yeah. Why, surprised?"

"Hell yeah," Oda responded with an exaggerated nod, but she couldn't hide her grin. "I mean, I know you two had chemistry or whatever, but didn't think it'd go anywhere."

Arty watched their banter with an amused smile. Things between Meredith and James had actually progressed? It was one of those developments that, a few weeks ago, would've felt impossible. She shook her head, trying to suppress a chuckle, and finally slipped out the door.

"See ya, guys. Don't kill each other over that game," she called over her shoulder, receiving a playful middle finger from Oda and a small wave from Meredith as she exited.

As Arty made her way through the quiet streets toward the Darling estate, she found herself plucking stray wildflowers growing along the sidewalk. The soft purple and white petals reminded her of Astor—the delicate beauty of something untamed, wild, yet fragile. A small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered how Astor had always liked flowers, how they used to sit and talk about the little things, like which flower would make the prettiest bouquet or which reminded them of stars.

Sneaking into the Darling mansion had become a routine for Arty. She knew the paths to take, the places where the cameras wouldn't catch her, and the best way to climb up to Astor's room without being seen. Tonight was no different. She moved quickly but quietly, the familiar thrill of sneaking into a place she didn't belong only adding to the excitement.

When she finally reached his window, she peered in to see him already waiting, perched on the edge of his bed in an oversized sweater she had given him ages ago. The sleeves hung loose around his wrists, and the sight of him in something she had once owned made her heart ache in a way she couldn't quite explain.

Astor's face lit up the moment he saw her. He rushed to the window, opening it with a grin, and Arty slipped inside with practiced ease, landing softly on the floor.

"Brought you something," she murmured, holding out the wildflowers.

Astor's eyes sparkled as he took them, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. "You always know how to make an entrance," he said with a soft laugh, inhaling the faint scent of the flowers before placing them on his bedside table.