All the Stars Lead to You

Chapter Seven

PISCES: You're going to feel extra connected with the people around you today. Go out and have a good time with loved ones. You will experience the oneness that comes when people acknowledge that we are all part of a whole. 

It's six in the evening, and I was crouching behind a table, sandwiched between two people in the dark. My thighs were aching from being in this mid-squat position that reminded me of a chip clip and having to balance on high heels. Candace's elbows speared my left cheek as she's gripping the table because even with flats on and fully sitting on the floor, her head poked out. I didn't know exactly who was on my right but the creative cursing and hairy legs (who wears capris in winter?) that tickled my own gave me the impression that Saxon, Ana's half-brother, had scrambled to the party from Florida last-minute.

The whispers got more frantic and rose to a fever pitch before being abruptly silenced by a "She's coming!" The plodding of shoes against the carpeted hall echoed through the room, and Saxon shook with anticipation. Or maybe that was me.

Light flooded my eyes and after a bout of vertigo, we all leaped up and surprised a speechless Ana. Her eyes flickered to Erik who stood back, smile touching his ears as everybody engulfed her into an encompassing embrace. The crowd peeled back after I unpacked the appetizers, scattering towards the food like flies to honey. Candace and I shared a knowing glance before we approached her.

In the middle of a conversation with Erik, Ana's eyes drifted over to us, noticeably brightening. She pulled us into a hug.

"You guys! Did you plan this?" she said, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Erik's gone quiet about it."

"Maybe, maybe not." I teased. Candace was trying her best to suppress a laugh and the result was her making an almost pained face. "It doesn't matter anyway. How was the tour?"

"What do you think? Ace Eyes has now been to twenty states—imagine that. We're now somewhat known nationwide as opening acts, which is a real improvement from performing during open mic nights down at the Cheshire Pub." She laughed.

Candace furrowed her brows. "The main set didn't give you trouble? Didn't you share a bus with them?"

When she shook her head, her ponytail waved. "Surprisingly, not really. They were humble and weren't flagrant or show-offy like most of the other bands were. Turns out they're from Syracuse, and our high schools were rivals. And a tip—don't challenge anybody in Minor Setback to skeeball, you will definitely lose. Also, I got their numbers for my single friends." She nudged us while her "single friends" groaned.

Saxon tapped her shoulder, and the hugging-I-haven't-seen-you-in-forever ritual began again. Ana gave us a what-can-you-do look that we both understood and parted, me heading towards the kitchen to prepare the food and Candace moving towards people she could talk to.

Ana's kitchen was probably the most minatory part of her apartment because all her ferns and planters swarmed over the counters and covered every surface like Mother Nature was trying to take back her space. Having to set up in here meant that you had to move the pots and boxes elsewhere to make room. Now that they had been relocated, I marvelled at the cherry wood countertop and the intricate shelves above, carved from wooden crates and discount drawers. Then, I began to reheat the main course and unload the desserts.

Over in the living room, a circle had formed around Ana as she spoke, hands akimbo and gesturing wildly. She was telling a story.

See, that's the thing about her. She's the type of person that blew the walls out of a room when she walked in. Dust parted like the Red Sea and the stars aligned to her beck and call. When she talked, people listened. It's no wonder she's such a pivotal frontwoman. I couldn't help listening in.