The wedding ended soon and it was time for the couple to go to the airport for their two-week honeymoon that they had managed to plan by clearing their busy schedule.
"Are you absolutely sure you'll be alright, little star?" Elena's hands fluttered around Astra's face like nervous birds, her worry practically radiating off her in waves. It was the ninth time she'd asked in the last hour alone.
But who could blame her? Out of everyone affected by this marriage, Astra's life would change the most dramatically. Elena knew better than anyone what her daughter struggled with. She had even sought several professionals to help Astra and to understand how her child could be so attuned to others' emotions while seemingly losing access to her own. She had tried to help her daughter in every way possible, even allowing her to live in a small town with little population. Fewer people meant fewer emotions for Astra to drown in.
But now everything was changing. Now Astra would be moving to South City, living with her new family in a city overflowing with millions of emotions. Elena had watched her daughter's face carefully when they'd first discussed the move, searching for any sign of distress or reluctance. But as usual, Astra's expression had remained perfectly blank, accepting the news with the same quiet detachment she showed toward everything else.
"Yes, Mom. I'll be fine," Astra said now, placing her hand over her mother's where it rested against her cheek. "Today isn't about me, and neither are the next two weeks. Focus on having fun with your husband."
"But sweetheart—"
"Elena, dear," Atticus stepped in, his deep voice gentle as he squeezed his new wife's shoulder. "You are overwhelming her with your emotions right now,"
Atticus knew, of course. Elena had told him everything early in their relationship. It had been a make-or-break moment in their relationship, Elena making it crystal clear that her daughter would always be her first priority. The fact that he'd not only accepted it but had learned to watch for signs of Astra's distress had been one of the many reasons Elena had fallen in love with him.
Elena pressed her lips together, understanding the subtle reminder in his words. She gave Astra's cheek a gentle pinch before stepping back.
Astra's expression didn't change, but something in the set of her shoulders eased slightly. She gave Atticus a small nod, her expression unchanged but somehow, Atticus could tell she was thanking him.
From where they stood, Calix and Rowan who were unaware of Astra's high sensitivity to emotions watched the exchange between the three. To them, it probably looked like nothing more than a mother being overprotective about leaving her teenager behind.
Atticus turned to Astra then, his usually stern expression softening almost imperceptibly. "I know this is your first time in South City. Take your time adjusting. Your brothers will be here if you need anything. And if you're ever uncomfortable, you can always call us. Day or night."
This was the first time Atticus had ever said so many words to Astra. his usual stoic demeanor cracked just slightly with genuine concern.
"Oh. My. God." Rowan clutched his chest dramatically, breaking the moment. He turned to Calix with an exaggerated expression of betrayal. "Did you see that? The favoritism has begun!"
His words caused Elena to burst out laughing, and even Atticus's mouth twitched slightly. Calix rolled his eyes at his brother's action. Only Astra remained unchanged.
"Rowan," Atticus said, his voice dry as dust, "shut up."
"See? That's the dad I know and love. All is right with the world again."
Elena moved to hug Astra one last time. "Call me if you need anything, okay? Anything at all."
Astra nodded, enduring the embrace without returning it. "Have a safe flight, Mom."
As they watched the newlyweds' car pull away, Rowan slung an arm around Astra's shoulders. "Don't worry, sis. We're going to have so much fun you won't even notice they're gone."
Astra stiffened under his touch, and Calix noticed how she seemed to hold her breath. But before he could analyze it further, she had slipped out from under Rowan's arm and was walking toward the car that was already waiting for them.
"I think she hates me," Rowan told Calix, his eyes suddenly widened with horror. "Oh god, do you think my charm is failing? "My charms have never failed before."
Calix pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling a headache coming on. "Are you done?"
"No, I am not done! This is a crisis situation. What if I've lost my touch? What if this is the beginning of the end? What if—" He clutched his chest, staggering backward as if physically struck. "What if I'm turning into you?"
"And what's wrong with being like me?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing at all," Rowan backpedaled quickly, though he couldn't quite hide his grin.
His eyes fixed on Astra's silver hair visible through the car window. She was sitting perfectly straight, staring ahead as if she could pretend the rest of the world didn't exist if she just looked forward long enough. "But seriously, what's her deal? I mean, I'm not that repulsive, am I?"
Something in his voice made Calix look over. Beneath the theatrical complaints and exaggerated gestures, there was a hint of genuine hurt in his brother's eyes. Rowan had always been the social one, the one who could make friends with a brick wall if he tried hard enough. Having someone so completely immune to his friendly overtures was probably a new experience for him.
"I don't think it's anything personal," Calix said. "She seems... different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know." Calix frowned.
Their driver cleared his throat, reminding them that they were still standing in the driveway while their new sister waited in the car.
"Right, right, we're coming," Rowan called out. He turned to Calix with a grin that was just a little too bright to be entirely genuine. "Hey, want to bet on how long it takes me to get her to crack a smile? I'm thinking three days, max."
"No."
"Scared you'll lose?"
Calix shook his head, deciding to ignore his younger brother, and slid into the car. He caught a glimpse of Astra's face in the rearview mirror. For just a second, he could have sworn he saw something flicker across her features. But when he looked again, her expression was as blank as ever.
Rowan was the next one to get inside the car. Astra sat between them like a statue, neither leaning toward nor away from either brother, maintaining perfect distance as if she'd measured it with a ruler.
"So, sis," Rowan started, apparently physically incapable of sitting in silence for more than thirty seconds. "What do you like to do for fun? Please tell me you're not another workaholic like Calix and Dad."
Astra didn't respond immediately. She kept staring straight ahead, and for a moment he thought she was going to ignore the question entirely. Then, in that soft, flat voice of hers, she said, "I read. Sometimes, I paint as well."