Astra Chronicles

Chapter 18: Dead Stars

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"There is no right timing or kind of Love.

We encounter Love regardless of age, time or reason. Some would say that it was not Love.

Yet, I say, all of it is still Love.

For we only know Love for what we thought it was at that moment." ―Unknown

Year 2113. Southern Quadrangle, Academia Astra. A City, Gaea.

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"I told you not to wear thin clothes."

I heard him say flatly.

Before I could even register who he was, his scarf was placed on top of my head.

He had covered my face entirely.

For a split second, I was thankful.

I was a tiny bit glad he blocked the view of the bonfire and the Last Dance.

Maybe I was selfish.
Or maybe I was insecure and greedy.

But there was some comfort in being unable to confirm if Lexi's last dance was him.

"Chase," I breathed in the usual soapy boyish scent he had been wearing from the scarf.

I guessed this was the first time I had liked his presence.

But the convenience of his distraction was for a limited time.

Still, I'd have to unveil myself and see whom Lexi was dancing with.

"Where were you?" I asked as I took hold of his scarf to pull it off my face. "I was thinking you―"

"Don't look," Chase ordered, cutting me off as he replaced the scarf with his hands, successfully covering my eyes for the second time.

"You can't see it," he said.

I balled my fists as I felt a bit of annoyance replace the overwhelming emotions inside me.

I tried to rip his hands off my face to no avail.

"Stop it! I don't want to play tonight," I snapped. "Lexi―"

"―is dancing with Rosenhelt," he declared.

That silenced me.
I inevitably froze.

Ah.

"Don't look anymore, Skyler." Chase's voice trailed off in what was like a whisper of my name. "You don't really have to."

I let my hands fall into my sides.

Silly.

It was just a dance.

It was nothing.
No one should believe that stupid superstition.

"I was in the libe," Chase said as he turned me to face away from the bonfire. "It was. . .crowded here so I stayed there."

He removed his hands and I found myself facing the building instead.

Then, he circled me. He was wearing a dark grey hoodie and black shorts with his usual white sneakers.

Very casual, in contrast to my white dress.