Aster Veren
Episode 128's

- Esther

It was 09:00 at night when I cut my birthday cake and gave my father his first cut. Then right now I was hiding from the crowd of people who had been keeping my eye on me ever since the show started.

The atmosphere really makes it difficult for me to breathe, especially dad is also busy entertaining his coworkers who he also invited to my birthday tonight.

"... Carel, the boy was also busy accompanying his mother," I muttered along with a gust of night wind that gently swept across my face.reminding me of Carel's figure who was smiling gently with his warm gaze that he showed his mother.

When was the last time he showed such an expression?

"Wait on! after remembering that boy–he hasn't even given me his birthday wishes yet.In fact we had a chat for a while before I danced with Khael, but he was busy teasing Khael instead of diving in on me?" I suddenly felt annoyed when I remembered the incident.

Sucks. My mind breathed a long sigh while leaning my body on the garden chair in the rose garden.

I lifted my head, looked at the starry sky with the moonlight shining brightly, bringing my daydreams soaring as I recalled the smiles of my mother and my two grandmothers alternating.

remembering all the moments I was with them. Really make me miss, are you guys watching me from up there? My mind can't turn away from a cluster of stars and a moon that looks beautiful.

"... It seems like it would be happier if you were also by my side now.but, that's a very impossible thing right?" I continued muttering while turning my attention to my two hands that were already tightly clenched in my lap.

Somehow I suddenly feel very lonely now, even though I went out because I could not stand the crowd in the house. But when I go out, I even feel–lonely? It's strange!

I held my fist as I felt the pool of tears growing in depth, blocking my view. Am I going to cry?

"You're here Aster?" Sean's voice broke the silence, making me reflexively turn towards his arrival. I saw that he was looking at me with a look that was hard to explain.

"Sean?"

"What are you doing here alone?" He asked as he took a stance sitting on the empty chair in front of me, blocked by the round table.

"Me–win yourself." I answered trying to avoid her gaze, I quickly grabbed my eyes and wiped away the tears that had already dripped down my cheeks.

Di–dia didn't see it, did he? I feel awkward in my heart about my current situation.

"You must be very tired from continuing to face the guests huh?" His murmur was heard by me.

"Hha–haha, that's it. Se–sean himself why leave the party venue?" I tried to divert the conversation.

"Me?"

***

-Sean

I breathed some fresh air tonight after escaping Hendric. "I should have gotten out of there." I muttered while scratching my back head.

"But where did Aster go? I was sure I saw him go out." I continued muttering as I set my foot towards the rose garden of the Veren family residence which looks beautiful from where I stand now. Especially when looking at a series of garden lights that illuminate the road to the park. It looks so beautiful.

"It's quite cold" I said, watching the moonlight in the middle of my trip to the park.

I stopped my steps when I saw the figure of Aster sitting on the garden chair with his head bowed. "What's that kid alone in there?" That's what I think when I see it.

Then without wasting any more time, I stepped back my legs to get close to him.

"You're here Aster?" I asked when I got near him. I saw him a little surprised before looking at me. Did I surprise him?

"Sean?" His murmur rang into my ear, even I saw his purple bead was already glazed and there were puddles of tears there. She–crying?

"What are you doing here alone?" I continued to ask while taking a stance sitting on the empty chair that was in front of me. I actually wanted to ask her something else when I saw her expression. But I paused it because pretending not to know was the best thing for me and Aster.

So that wasn't a mistake, was it? This kid is really crying ...,

"You must be very tired from continuing to face the guests huh?" My murmurs noticed the moonlight that began to be covered in clouds.

"Hha–haha, that's it. Se–sean himself why leave the party venue?" He asked, making me look at him.

"Me?" I immediately got a nod from Aster when my eyes met face to face with his purple bead.

Should I say look for him? Nah!

"That–I was looking for the wind, haha ...," I replied forcing my laughter, "by the way for the school festival later–" I continued trying to divert the conversation.

"Ah right! After the exam there is a school festival. I almost forgot about it." His words cut off my words, but thank God his expression was better than before.

"What class do we want to show?" The next one looks enthusiastic.

"So, we haven't prepared anything yet. Should we decide when we go back to the academy tomorrow?"

"Hmm.. actually faster is better, so we can prepare everything carefully. But, soon there's a test, can we split the time?"

"You're right, we need to prepare for the test." I said before sighing tiredly.

"But I'm really looking forward to it–festival school. What will the show be so lively? Then what foods will be sold there, will anyone sell apple candy or cotton candy? I can't wait to see it." He seemed so excited, for some reason now he looks like an impatient little boy. His age has just grown by one year.

***

- Kalea

"What's wrong?" Teo's question made me look at him.

"That" pointed me at Aster and Sean who were sitting opposite each other in the rose garden.

I was standing on the balcony with Teo, breathing the cool night air.

"They're getting familiar." I continued when I saw Aster's closeness with Sean, even now I could hear the sound of their laughter carried by the wind.

I really didn't expect to see such an expression from Sean's face, I thought the boy couldn't laugh anymore after all the rumors about his family circulated in the academy.

"Hee.. If this continues to be possible the boy took Aster from Carel." Teo said with a faint smile.

"really right? I also kept thinking about it, when both Carel and Aster seemed interested in each other, but why are they still friends? Can't their relationship be more than friends?" Obviously I can't understand Carel and Aster.

"I think the two are not yet aware of their feelings. Especially Aster, he was so innocent. His brain is very smart."

"You're right" I muttered, recalling the day I had my first period. That day Aster so frantically called the dorm mother, then when the hostel mother explained what happened to me, Aster's face immediately flushed in embarrassment.

... Even without embarrassment she told Carel that I was having a stomachache due to menstruation. Teo told me after hearing Carel tell me about Aster who innocently told Carel about my illness that night. I continue in my heart.

I was even embarrassed when I heard Teo's story. He said it without the slightest shame with the face of the wall.

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Thanks for reading...