Gemini|| #Wattys2019

Chapter 17

The first thing I notice once we've landed safely on solid ground is that I am very underdressed. The "runway" we've  touched down on is a strip of flattened earth at the base of a snow covered mountain. Before we can step off the plane, a bubbly, loud mouthed girl, maybe a year younger than me, comes running up the ramp to greet us. Her long black hair is gathered in two low pigtails hanging over her shoulder with one pink streak running down one side.

When she sees me she stops dead in her tracks, her mouth wide open in shock or adoration. I can't tell which.

"Oh my god. It's really you." She squeals, excitedly and rushes up to me. "You're a real princess! It's so cool seeing you in person instead of watching Gemini broadcasts on a screen. You're really here!" She pulls me into a hug. Even though she appears younger than me, she's taller by about an inch.

"I've got two questions," I say once she's let me go. "First, who are you?"

Atlas passes by me and stands beside the girl, putting an arm around her shoulder.

"This is Veridian." He smiles. I'll admit, this is not how I pictured the Cancer girl to be. She's really pretty. High cheekbones, squinty eyes that imply she's of asian descent. When Atlas mentioned her 'prophecies' I expected more of a spinster.

"Second question: how are you not freezing?" I ask through chattering teeth. Veridian giggles at the inquiry, and glances down at her outfit. Her sheer, teal sundress definitely does not belong in the snow. More than anything, it reminds me of a nightgown. Beneath the translucent fabric, she's only wearing a white bodysuit.

"I grew up here." She replies with a shrug. "I guess i'm just used to the cold."

"You grew up here? But Atlas said you're a Cancer."

"I am, but instead of giving me away for being Incompatible, my parents chose to run from the government and join the Renegades." Veridian says with no smile and I catch the brief glance she gives Atlas, even if it's barely there.

He walks away, silently, allowing Veridian and I to get ourselves acquainted. She leads me down the ramp and along a trail through the woods following Hudson and Carver.

"So are you and Atlas together yet?" Her question takes me off guard.

"What do you mean?" I pretend I don't understand what she's asking.

"Well I'm sure Atlas already told you. I'm kind of a psychic, I guess. I have dreams of the future, like visions, and I had a vision of you and him kissing." Her voice is singsongy and preppy.

"Wait seriously? I thought that was a joke." There's no way she can see the future. It's not possible.

"Of course not! How else would I have known you kissed Atlas?" She smirks at me and I can't help the blush the creeps up my face.

"I-I didn't..."

"You're lying."

"No." My response is too quick to be believable.

"You so are!" She laughs. "You kissed him in a cave, right?"

I stop short.

"How did you know it was in a cave?"

"Told ya. I'm psychic."

No way.

"I suppose we'll have to see."

We arrive at a small, partially frozen lake in the forrest. A cliff off the side of the mountain spews a waterfall that crashes against the fragile ice.

"Right this way." She says and dashes up ahead of the other two while Atlas catches up to me.

"So where's the base?" I ask him, but all he does is nod at Veridian.