Crossing Borders

Two Worlds

Astrid stood in the garden, staring at the moon.

"So how has it been?" Dimitri asks walking up to her. "Finally living with your family again?"

"It's nice," Astrid says without facing him. "It's a bit boring but it means to be with them, I don't mind.

"You sound different."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Dimitri stands beside her, "back home you just stay quiet, you speak to prove a point, but here, you think of what you say as if you're lost for words."

"That's because I am." she admits, "Finally seeing them again not thinking that I need to leave again, it's simple joy."

"And what about Damien?" he asks, "Is he as happy as you are?"

Astrid smiles shaking her head, "He isn't much of a talker, he hasn't change a bit actually, he tells me if he's worried, or if I'm being stubborn or stupid."

"That's not an answer."

Astrid remembers her dream and frowned, "I can't really say..."

Dimitri reach for her shoulder, "Angel-" But Astrid moved away, surprised. "Angel, I'm-"

"Call me Astrid, brother." she says. "I'm home, remember?"

"Yes, of course." Dimitri nods.

"I should go inside. I have a long day tomorrow."

"And Astrid?" Astrid faced him, "I am sorry."

Astrid grins, "Thanks, I appreciate that. Good night."

"I see, thanks Ash, good night." Derek hangs up then turn to Damien who was in front of the fireplace, reading. "You could stop sulking, Ash said she's already in her room and the Russian boy is with Father Johan."

"And that should concern me why?"

"You've been staring at that page all evening."

"That's because I'm thinking."

"Thinking of what?"

"He touched her." Damien says, "And the way he looked at me, it was as if he was taunting me, like telling me he can save Astrid and I can't."

Derek grins, "Are you jealous, Damien?"

"No, I'm not." He says with a glare.

"Dude, you've painted her face so many times in canvases, you wished for her to come home, the messages you left for the security cameras and the fact you waited for nine years, as yor so called promise," making air quotes as he rants, "you have the right to be jealous!"

"Why should I be?"

"'Cause you're in love with her!" Derek says exasperated.

Damien stifles a laugh at his childhood friend before tossing the book on the table and lean back on the seat. Those were the exact words he didn't want to hear.

"You do know that you are in love with her, don't you?"

"Yeah," Damien groans, "I'm just too scared to admit. She's my best friend. I can't-"

"You never saw her as a sister," Derek points out, "Jared and I do, but you never did, and everyone in school is already talking how you two act like lovers-."

Then Damien stood up and shook his head, "No we're best friend, that's all there is."

"Then why were you so mad to see her with Dimitri?"