Artemis and the Constellation Vacation (#OnceUponNow)

➵ chapter five

If you had asked me in the beginning of spring if I would end up missing Greece, I'd laugh. However, come five months later, in the midst of the brisk autumn season, the regret is evident.

Orion is rampaging through a pile burgundy leaves when I take a seat on a nearby bench. It calms me, seeing his energy blaze through the wind without the nuisance of a leash to hold him back.

Walking over with a frustrated expression, Apollo takes the seat next to mines. He lifts up his shoe, revealing what was most definitely not a splatter of chocolate pudding.

"You should go home." I say, stifling a laugh. "I doubt Jilianne is going to enjoy the smell of wet dog following her around at the movies."

Apollo frowns. "You're one to talk. That date with Jeremy last week was a complete disaster."

"First of all, it wasn't a date. We were studying." I inform him, rolling by eyes. "And second, it's not my fault the guy's got a palette of a five year old!"

My brother smiles, his expression knowing. After Greece, it had taken some time for us to adjust back to our normal life in Freeport. However, as time moved on, so did his patience. Though I'd never be willing to admit it, I did grow to enjoy his company from time to time.

"Well I'm off!" Apollo exclaims in salute, turning towards the exit behind us.

In the distance, Orion sneaks his way behind an oblivious squirrel. Despite his persistence however, the creature eventually senses his presence and quickly scurries up the side of a tree.

I smile to myself, bringing a hand to my lips, when Apollo's presence returns. He flops onto the empty seat and extends his arms around the head of the bench.

"What?" I ask, still focused on Orion's determination to climb up the tree. "Jilianne finally realized you're not her type?"

"Dunno." a voice that definitely didn't belong to my brother, replies. "You tell me."

Startled, I look to my right and immediately come face to face with his presence. In the moment, he seemed different— more content. However, despite the odd sight of him in a dark trench coat and red scarf, Dimitri stares back at me with the same complacent smile.

I'm staring back at him, dumbfounded, when he finally speaks. "Artemis I-"

"You left Greece."

"I wanted-"

"Since when?"

"I don't-"

"Does my grandmother know you left? Did she-"

"Artemis!" Dimitri exclaims, taking my hands in his. He squeezes them a little, as if to assure me he's here, and I suck in a breath.

"You're here." I say in a low whisper.

Dimitri meets my eyes. "I'm here."

There is a brief moment of peaceful silence, before the realization suddenly startles me and I arise, breaking away from his touch. "Wait. I don't understand. How are you-"

"It's a long story." he says, handing me a piece parchment from his pocket. "I got this the day you left."

When I unfold the paper, the words UNIVERSITY OF AUGUSTA stares back at me with taunting, bold letters.

"You applied here?" I ask, in disbelief.

Dimitri shrugs. "Well, technically I applied 38 minutes away from here but-"

"Why?"

Dimitri catches my pained expression and sighs, rising to his feet.

"I was always planning on coming here, regardless of whether or not our paths would actually cross." he explains. "When my plane landed that day, there were so many missed calls from my grandfather. I thought he'd be furious with me leaving all of a sudden but, as you might guess, he insisted I come and talk to you."

"But you never came."

"I couldn't. Things were complicated and-" Dimitri pauses, peering down at my face. "Artemis, you hated me."

I sigh, the guilt ripping through my heart. "Listen, Dimitri I-"

However, before I can get another word out, Dimitri steps forward and closes the distance between us. His lips find mine almost immediately and we kiss; everything else—all the troubles, worries, and misunderstandings—obliterating into the air.

When we finally break apart, Dimitri's blue eyes peer at down at mines questioningly and I nod, eagerly leaning forward to kiss him back. My arms wrap around the back of his neck, holding on tightly, until a sudden ahem knocks us both back to reality.

Dimitri glances over my shoulder and, when I turn around, my brother is staring back at us with a raised brow.

"You couldn't wait until I left before actually making-out with my sister?" Apollo frowns.

Dimitri smiles, accepting his guilt with confidence. "Sorry, man."

"Wait!" I exclaim, glaring questioningly at my brother. "You knew he was here?!"

Apollo shrugs. "He told me not to tell."

When I turn to face Dimitri, he looks apologetic. "He's only known for a couple weeks."

"You guys are both impossible." I say, rolling my eyes. However, when Dimitri grins at me knowingly, I can't help but smile back.

☆～☆～☆

Mom nudges me towards the kitchen and I follow in pursuit. Once out of sight, her expression grows teasing. "I see you've brought home a late souvenir from your trip."

I grin, curiously peeking through the door. Apollo enters the living room and hands a can of soda to Dimitri. Dad then turns on the television and all three men take a seat on the couch.

The sight melts my heart.

"You know, he's very cute." Mom points out, absentmindedly chopping at a stalk of celery. "Must have been an interesting trip, I bet."

From the living room, Dimitri turns around for a second. Our eyes meet and he shoots me a smile; before Apollo catches us in the act and turns Dimitri's face back towards the screen.

I turn around, meeting my mother's knowing look. "You have no idea."