Aster

Prologue

"Call me crazy, but do I look like an 'Aster' to you? I like to think I'm more of an 'Amaryllis.' You know, freedom, all things wild..." No one is listening. It's obvious in Camille's face, resting on her small hand as she twirls her fork around in her mashed potatoes.

"Camille, don't play with your food," My mother, Andrea, snaps. "Do you know how long I had to stand in line for those?" She runs her fingers through her hair, red, very unlike mine. I wonder about it, now and again; my family's genetics. It's all very odd when you come from a long line of Flowers.

"But Rue isn't eating! Why do I have to?" My mother and I exchange a glance, hurried, and I lower my eyes to avoid confrontation. Instead, they land on my wrist, where a single Flower is etched into my skin. The aster, representative of patience, peace, and love. Bleh.

"Camille, this is one of... those... days..." We all know what it means. Yay, fasting. Camille doesn't drop it.

"How come I don't get to be a Flower?" She all but yells. "We all know Rue doesn't want to be!"

Well, now we do. So much for avoiding confrontation. My mother practically explodes.

"WHAT?" I flinch. My mother is terrifying when she's angry.

"I... thought you knew?" I send Camille a furious glare that says otherwise. My mother visibly relaxes, letting out a deep breath. She places a hand on my shoulder, then flinches as I pull back.

It's no secret, my childhood changed me. And she knows it's her fault.

"Rue," She tries again, "You know you can't choose other paths."

You know that saying, it's in your blood? Well, it is. Literally. My blood is infused with the life force of an aster. Which, if you weren't aware, is a flower. A red one, which basically explains why my hair is... The way it is.

"I get it, mama." I've practiced this a thousand times. "I just.. I'm not interested in marrying the Gladiolus heir." Smooth. I just blurted out half of my deepest, darkest secret to my mother.

Her eye twitches. I thought that only happened in the movies. "What?" Her voice is quiet, icy. God, I shouldn't have said anything. Like an idiot, I continue.

"In fact, I'm not interested in marrying any of the heirs in Calliope."

"Why." It's not a question. If I keep talking everything will be fixed.

"Because they're... Male?"

Camille drops her fork. Shit. I'm screwed. I am screwed to hell.

I spare a glance at my mother. I hope she's not too- is she... Laughing? She is.

After a few seconds of confusion, she falls apart. Tears are streaming down her face as she clutches her stomach.

"Rue," She gasps for air, "Why didn't you tell me? We could have been searching through female heirs this whole time."

I'm in shock. Seriously. "W-what?"

"Rue. Did you really think I was straight?" Camille's jaw drops. I'd be lying if I said mine didn't do the same.

"WHAT?" This has taken an... unexpected... turn. I think my mother is enjoying this a little too much.

"I never thought I'd be coming out to my own daughters." Go on.

"Rue, Camille. I'm bisexual."

Silence.

"I'M POLYAMOROUS."

All eyes are on Camille. She blushes and looks down at her plate, twirling her fork around for a few seconds.

"I kinda... maybe... have two girlfriends?" She mumbles nervously.

I do the only thing I can think of. I lean forward on my elbows, head in my hands.

"Spill."

The next few minutes are spent laughing and snorting fizzy water out of our noses as we tell stories of how we discovered our sexualities.

"Your turn." Camille's eyes are bright, and bluer than usual. She tucks a strand of blond hair behind her ear and leans forward eagerly.

I ponder for a moment, then begin.

"I've never really been attracted to guys. In fact they kind of grossed me out for a while." I laugh, wiping my eyes. "A couple years back, this girl transferred into my class. Tess. My first thought was: Shit. I am SO not straight."

"Ooooh," Camille giggles. "Are you dating?"

"Yeah, right- she's a bitch." I add when their expressions change to that of confusion.

My mother laughs at my brazenness, and begins clearing the table. "Alright girls," She smiles. "Time for bed."

I'm too happy to complain. I have no trouble sleeping that night.