Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Taurus (Part 3)

I yawn and stretch my tired limbs as I enter the warm, softly lit kitchen. My gaze immediately lands on Cancer, who sits at the table with a book open before her and a nearly empty glass of milk by her side. "You're up early," I call out, my voice laced with a hint of surprise as I approach her.

Recognizing my voice, Cancer turns to face me, her expression unreadable. "So are you," she points out, her gaze drifting back to the pages of her book.

"I thought I'd make everyone breakfast," I shrug, glancing at the book that seems to have so thoroughly captivated her attention. "It is the first day back since winter break, after all."

"Well, count me out," Cancer says, setting the book aside and rising from the table. I watch as she moves to the sink, depositing her dirty glass with a soft clink. "I've already eaten."

I can't help but chuckle, shaking my head lightly. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure a glass of milk isn't exactly a proper meal," I tease, following after her. But my lighthearted attempt at levity is met with an uncomfortable silence that instantly puts me on edge, and I can't ignore the subtle shift in Cancer's demeanor. "Is there something wrong?" I ask, my brow furrowing with genuine concern.

Cancer sighs heavily, her gaze averted as she rubs her hand self-consciously against her arm, a nervous, almost anxious gesture. "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you," she murmurs, the weight of her words causing my heart to skip a beat in anticipation.

I can't quite contain the grin that tugs at the corners of my lips, my curiosity piqued by her unexpected words. "Have you?" I ask, crossing my arms and leaning back against the kitchen counter, my full attention now focused solely on her. "Well, I'm listening."

Cancer gives me a hesitant, almost apprehensive look. Her eyes dart around nervously, as if she's unsure of the best way to broach this topic. "Neptune asked me to be his girlfriend," she finally says, her gaze locking with mine, a cautious tension etched into every line of her face as she waits anxiously for my reaction.

I try to maintain an air of composure, to keep my emotions from betraying me, but the frown that instantly tugs at my lips is a clear giveaway of the disappointment I feel. "...Oh?" I question, my tone tinged with a barely concealed hurt that makes my chest ache.

Averting her eyes, Cancer reaches up to tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, "I told him I'd give him my answer today at school," she murmurs, her gaze now fixed intently on the scuffed toes of her shoes.

A sudden twitch jerks my right hand, and I clench my palm tightly, digging my nails into the flesh in a desperate attempt to ground myself. "So you really do like him," I mumble, my eyes fluttering downward to trace the pristine crease of my pressed slacks.

Cancer's expression shifts to one of apology, "Taur, look-" she begins, but I cut her off, unwilling to hear the words I know are coming.

"I hope you're not doing this because of the whole Scorpio thing," I interject, narrowing my eyes as I levelled her with a skeptical, almost accusatory glare.

Defensive creases appear between Cancer's brows, her posture shifting as she takes clear offense to my mention of Scorpio. "Doing what?" she argues, her voice laced with irritation. "I haven't even given him an answer yet."

"Well, why not?" I fire back, the volume of my voice rising as I struggle to maintain a tenuous grip on my emotions. "We both know what it will be."

Cancer looks genuinely taken aback, her brows furrowing in confusion. She crosses her arms, turning her gaze away from me. "Because I wanted to talk to you first," she mumbled under her breath, her words barely audible.