WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

64.Fractured Defenses

The warm buzz of the bar greeted Astra and Vanessa as they stepped through the door, the familiar hum of conversation and soft clinking of glasses creating a comfortable backdrop. The group was easy to spot, huddled at their usual table in the corner, laughter spilling from them like sunshine. As soon as they noticed Vanessa and Astra, a ripple of excitement went through them.

"Vanessa!" Maya was the first to move, her chair screeching slightly against the floor as she darted toward her. She wrapped her arms tightly around Vanessa, squeezing her with an enthusiasm that could only come from pure joy. "You did amazing today! I'm so proud of you!"

Vanessa let out a soft laugh, though the sharp stab of pain in her side made her breath hitch momentarily. She tightened her grip around Maya briefly, trying to convey her gratitude without giving away her discomfort. "Thanks, Maya. It was a team effort, right?" she joked lightly, her voice steady despite the ache radiating from her ribs.

Luke and Simon were next, each clapping Vanessa on the back with hearty pats that sent jolts of pain through her body. "Knew you'd crush it!" Simon said, his grin wide and genuine.

"Yeah, we knew Bellamy didn't stand a chance against you," Luke added, his voice brimming with pride. He gave one last pat, harder than the rest, and Vanessa had to fight not to flinch.

Amy and Cassie followed, their hugs just as warm but thankfully gentler. "You're a total rock star," Amy said, her tone full of admiration.

"Seriously, we're lucky to have you in our group," Cassie added, her smile lighting up her face as she pulled back.

Astra stood a few steps behind, watching the scene unfold with a twinge of unease. Every enthusiastic hug, every pat on Vanessa's back, felt like a blow to Astra herself, knowing the pain Vanessa must be feeling. She bit the inside of her cheek, her emerald-green eyes flicking toward Vanessa, searching for any sign that her girlfriend was struggling. Vanessa's smile seemed genuine, but Astra caught the subtle stiffness in her posture, the way her breath hitched when Simon and Luke got a little too exuberant.

When the group finally stepped back to give Vanessa some space, Maya's observant gaze lingered. Something was off. She wasn't sure what, but the way Vanessa's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, paired with the tension radiating from Astra, set off alarm bells in her mind.

"Van," Maya started, her tone casual but tinged with concern, "you okay? You seem a little... different tonight."

Vanessa waved a hand dismissively, her signature smirk sliding into place. "Oh, I'm fine. Just a little sore." She paused, letting out a theatrical sigh. "I fell off the bed after my nap earlier, landed right on my side. Guess I was dreaming about fighting off Bellamy or something," she quipped, her tone light and teasing.

Astra's stomach twisted at the lie, her instincts screaming against staying silent. But before she could interject, Vanessa shot her a brief glance, honey-brown eyes silently pleading for her cooperation. Astra's lips pressed into a thin line, and she said nothing, though her expression betrayed her worry.

Luke's laugh broke the tension, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Fell off the bed, huh? Sure you weren't just... celebrating with Astra?" His voice was dripping with playful insinuation, and the group erupted into laughter, including Vanessa, whose laugh was a little too forced to be convincing.

"Yeah, Luke," Vanessa shot back, her tone dripping with irony. "Because nothing says 'celebration' like toppling out of bed onto a hard floor. Totally my kind of party." Her smirk widened, her usual sharp wit firmly in place, though Astra could see the strain it took to maintain it.

Most of the group accepted Vanessa's explanation without question, caught up in the humor of the moment. But not Maya. Her brown eyes remained fixed on Astra, a silent conversation passing between them. Maya's gaze was probing, questioning, and Astra could almost hear the unspoken words: What's really going on?