Page 94 of Above
It was quite easy to spot my family once I focused. No one was around them, talking to them, or doing anything but randomly staring and probably judging. Still, I couldn’t be happier to see them. Father had on his nicest button up, the black looking sleek against his deep skin and curly hair. Bright golden eyes were on me, his smile so broad I could’ve sworn he was the sun itself. He looked a bit healthier than normal, as if he were recovering from whatever new sickness plagued him.
Mama was next to him, her hand on his shoulder, her own smile larger than life. All of her long blonde hair was twisted in a bun on top of her head, a simple black dress covering her, though she swam in the fabric. Celeste was behind them, her face grim. I could tell she was uncomfortable. She had once more chopped at her hair, the dark brown curls not even touching her shoulders anymore. Those grey eyes were flitting across the area, her body tense and stiff. She wore a baby pink dress, which she must’ve been sweating in seeing as it was long sleeved in the spring, which on the island was hot enough to make my headaches worse.
Next to them, Elite Bargain smiled at me and waved before disappearing beneath her own shadows. I knew then that she must’ve been the one who went to fetch them, and I was glad, because anyone else would’ve been rude. Elite Bargain, for all her fierceness, had never been hateful toward me. In fact, she was a rare case of someone who believed in me, even if she stilllikely held prejudices against of eadi. She reminded me of Talon in that way.
I dashed over to them, waving and smiling as I wove through the crowd. I knew that they couldn’t see my face with my mask on and my hair was tame for once, but the curls were still big enough to stick out of my hood, making me obvious as I approached. I ripped off my mask, jumping into the arms of my mother. She giggled, holding me tight, her body smaller than before I had left. In my head, I couldn’t help but feel glee at the idea of her no longer having to take haya.
I was finally going to save them.
“Congratulations, Starlight!” Mama exclaimed, her voice betraying the terror that lay beneath her pride. Because she knew this was not the end. I would still be in constant danger. At least, that’s what they must’ve thought. Then again, they didn’t know that I had the stars.
I pulled away from her, smiling at the thought of our long future. She noticed immediately.
“Nova, what’s wrong with your eyes?” she asked, but she knew. They all knew immediately.
“How?” Father pressed, grabbing my arm and pulling me down low so that he could look into my eyes. “How did that happen?”
“It’s a long story. It happened during our tactical mission.”
“They chose you?” Celeste gawked, her eyes bulging for some reason, as if it felt monumental to her in a different way than it did to me. There was something there, some revelation that I could see occurring. Her breath sped, her eyes darting across mine, and I worried that something was brewing within Celeste.
“It’s a long story. Like I said, I’ll explain it.”
“Yes, you will,” Mama ordered, her face stern as she pulled me in again. Then Dad was tugging at both of us and Celeste was reluctantly leaning over him. All of us embracing.
I couldn’t help but let myself tear up, because, no matter what, life was going to be okay now. I had them. I wouldalwayshave them. Such a thing was too special to be ruined by fear, disagreement, or anything else.
“And where is that handsome boy?” Mama asked in my ear, causing me to stand and scoff, rolling my eyes.
“I am not dating him, Mama.”
“Sure you aren’t,” she said. “Where is he? I wanted to say hi.”
“I’m sure he’s with his family.”
“Oh, we should meet his family then too!”
“Yes, I’m so eager to meet them,” Celeste added, a sort of knowing there in her voice.
I couldn’t help myself.
“I’m so excited to meet them,” I mocked in a particularly whiney tone.
“I’m so excited to meet them,” she fired back, her words mingling.
When I went to do it again, Dad nudged me. “Stop, both of you. You aren’t children anymore.”
He was right. We weren’t. Wasn’t that heartbreaking?
As if summoned by the thought of another man, Talon’s voice was loud behind me. “Supernova!”
I whipped my head around, seeing as he waved and approached me, the biggest, most joyful smile on his face. He looked like a stuffed teddy bear. Something you were meant to cuddle and whisper secrets to. There was a unique sense of welcome to his body language, something that made you feel safe and at home.
Still, I truly didn’t want him meeting my family.
“Nova, who is that?” Dad questioned, his tone deeper as he squared his shoulders. Great. Just great.
“That’s—”
