Star Darlings: A Heart That Grew Fonder

Chapter 2

The Celestial Café, the school cafeteria, was already filled with students by the time Scarlet got there.Truthfully she had considered skipping breakfast altogether, but since she had already skipped dinner the day before, the thought of a tasty meal felt extra tempting. Scarlet had gotten used to skipping meals in order to avoid people during the time she was mistakingly kicked out of Star Darlings, but honestly it wasn't the only time she had ever done so. Sitting in a noisy room of starlings socializing never appealed to her.

Before Lady Stella had called the starlings that then became part of the Star Darlings Scarlet never had formed a relationship that was particularly close with any of the other students. The first two staryears Leona was the one that she talked to the most, and those moments usually ended up with two of them angry at eachother. Since Leona still was popular among students she always had company and something to do, leaving Scarlet eat by herself. Naturally this arrangement suit her just fine, but there were also those rare moments when being the only one sitting by yourself in a room full of other students was plain awkward.

Scarlet genuinely didn't mind what others thought of her,but constantly having to put up with questions about her "strange" style and personality did get incredibly annoying. Even among other Star Darlings she was often looked at as someone weird who doesn't quite fit in. The thing is, as she had figured out over the staryears, Scarlet simply didn't have the kind of upbeat personality that most starlings seemed to have. Starlings who studied to be wishgranters seemed to have the positive nature that just came to them naturally, and that made them fit better into the image of someone whose job is to grant wishes and collect positive wish energy.

"Star Morning Scarlet!" Greeted Libby when Scarlet took a seat next to hers.

"Star Morning." Scarlet replied. The table they sat on was almost filled by the other Star Darlings. On the other end Tessa, a third year just like Scarlet, was talking with her first year sister Gemma about something that that had happened the last time they visited home. Next to them a third year student Adora was discussing with second year students Astra and Vega about school work. Then there were Leona, Clover (second year), and first year students Sage and Libby, wrapped into a deep conversation about a new song that Clover had written for the band (in which Scarlet was in too, as a drummer). Only two girls weren't there yet.

The Bot-Bot waiter hovered over Scarlet. "May I take your order?"

"I would like a glass of Zing and starcakes, and a garble green omelette." Scarlet placed her order.

Right after the Bot-Bot waiter had left Cassie arrived.

"Star Greetings everyone" she muttered while taking a seat opposed to Scarlet's. She was so focused on reading her Holo-Book that she barely noticed what was going on around her.

"We're thinking of having a long rehearsal day tomorrow since we have no classes. Clover just finished writing some new material for us so we're trying them then." Libby explained, lowered her voice and added; "Clover just told Leona that some of the new songs are a little different style than the ones we've done so far and apparently Leona is already a little sceptical."

"But we'll check them out tomorrow.I think It'll be fun!" Libby said with excitement in her voice.

"I guess." Scarlet sighed. It did sound kind of fun, and in order for the band to come up with a sound and style of their own some experimenting would be necessary. And trying out new genres could bring some ideas that would have never materialized on their own.

At that moment the Bot-Bot waiter arrived to serve her breakfast and take Cassie's order. Cassie didn't even notice the Bot-Bot was there or heard when she got asked what she wanted.

"Cassie!" Scarlet called her name in a loud and clear voice, trying to sound a little worried. Worked like a charm. Cassie raised her head, slightly startled.

"What?"

"Your order?" Scarlet said, pointing towards the Bot-Bot waiter.

"Oh! Star apologies. " Cassie took a look at Scarlet food. "I'll have what Scarlet's having" she told the Bot-Bot before turning her full attention back to her book.

"What are you reading?" Scarlet asked her.

"My uncle sent me his brand new story. It is absolutely startacular! It arrived yesterday, but I haven't been able to put it down. I'm almost finished."

Cassie's uncle is a famous writer in Starland. It really is a great match since Cassie is very passionate about reading. Scarlet, who suddenly remembered how hungry she was, focused on her meal.

"It's very diffent from his other books, but there is something about it that is oddly fascinating." Cassie said a while later. "Do you want to try it? Technically it isn't even released yet."

"Me?" Scarlet asked.

"I think you might like. Here." She handed the holobook over to Scarlet. The Star-Zap had reminded them about the first lesson was about to take place, so with that Cassie just left without waiting for her reply. Scarlet took the Holo-Book with her and headed out.