Chapter 2 - feelings are gross

  "Hm, he won't do," Pollux said as he stood up to bring his plate to the sink.

    "What makes you say that?" Aster was surprised to hear that her brother didn't approve of him. He's known Xavier since they were children. He's never done anything to hurt her. Besides sitting on the cupcake she personally baked and left on his chair as a surprise when they were in 3rd grade. Of course, he didn't mean to sit on it but she still finds herself pissed every time it crosses her mind. She stayed up all night for it, after all. "He's a great guy!"

    "Yeah, but he seems unsure of himself." He gently pours water over his plate and utensils to soften the leftovers sticking to them, "How do you give love to anyone when you don't even have enough for yourself?"

    "Wow, such wise words." She replied sarcastically, cutting the last bit of steak she has left, "But that's why I'll be waiting for him."

    "It won't be easy." He turns off the faucet, "It's hard to regain self-love once you've lost it. It's gonna take months, maybe even years." He sighs, leaning into the counter, "You're graduating soon, guy has dreams of studying abroad for college, right?"

    Her wonderfully cooked steak magically became bitter as soon as she was reminded of it. That's right, she might get in the way of his dreams and aspirations. Even when he becomes ready, they won't have enough time for each other after graduating.

    "Yeah. It's almost guaranteed that he'll make it. He's top of the class after all." She stood up and headed towards the sink, "Mm, maybe you're right."

    Pollux looks over to her sister with concern. He composes himself and gives her a soft smile, "Well, who knows, maybe you two can make it work, y'know?"

    She smiled back at him, "Thanks."

    "Sorry if I came off as a bit pessimistic when I should be supporting you." He sighs, "I just don't want you to get hurt."

    "I know that." She smirked, "Now don't get all sappy on me, it's gross."

    Pollux dramatically puts a hand on his chest and gasps, "Wow, I am so sorry for expressing my genuine concern towards you."

    She snickered, "S'alright, I forgive you. Seriously though, thanks bro."

    "Anytime." He shoots finger guns at her before heading upstairs to his room.

    Aster carefully prepares her mother's food and washes the dishes before heading to her room as well. She begins to rethink her feelings about being in a relationship with Xavier.

    'How long does it take for someone to "get ready" anyway?' She thinks to herself as she brushes her teeth.

'What if we run out of time? If we do get together what happens when he eventually moves? Can we maintain a long-distance relationship? Long distance is hard enough but he's a busy man too...'

After brushing her teeth, she reaches for her favorite peach-scented face wash, 'I don't think starting a relationship is a very good idea... Maybe Pollux is right. But I can't see myself with anyone other than Xav. I don't think I'll ever find "that" feeling in anyone besides him. No, the real question is if anyone will ever be into a mess like me!'

She grabs a face towel, dries herself up and glances at her reflection in the vanity mirror. She remained still for a while and sighed.

 She flops onto her bed and groans into her pillow, 'Come to think of it, aren't werewolves supposed to like, find their partner or mate when they come of age? I'm 17. Does that mean mine's gonna be decided in a year? It's a pretty unfair concept if you think about it. It's like you're destined to be with your mate, no matter who you like or have liked before. You will eventually end up with your mate. It's like you have no choice but to be attracted to some person you know nothing about. It's kinda stupid. Is that how it really works? Not like it matters anyway, I have no proof as to whether or not that's real.' She shrugs.

    'Did I make the right choice confessing by the bridge? At sunset? That's romantic, right? But I feel like that's been done before in a romance coming-of-age film. Does that make it cliche? That's lame. Ugh, I have no idea how these things work. Well, it all worked out in the end is what matters. Sort of. I mean, at least he reciprocated my feelings... wow that sounds gross.' 

She turns around and faces the ceiling, 'I should stop thinking.' And so she did. She closes her eyes and dozes off shortly after.

    It's been a week since her confession. Aster woke up to the sound of light knocking and the softest voice to have ever entered her ears, "Rise and shine! Wake up dear, the food's getting cold." Grace, their mother, has been consistently cooking up their breakfast since they were little. Including the days when she was sick. She never missed a day, it's crazy.

   "Yeah, I'm awake. Be right there." She stayed in bed for a few seconds and pushed herself out of bed as fast as she could to wake herself up.

    As she goes down the stairs, the first thing she sees is Pollux eating cheerily by the counter, grinning at his phone.

    "Hey Aster, check this out!" He jumps out of his seat and rushes over to his sister.

    "Lux, I swear to god if you show me that farting horse again first thing in the morning, I'm having you for breakfast." She glares at him as he pretends to warily approach her.

    "Okay, first of all, that's terrifying, but look." Pollux holds up his phone showing a video of a twerking dog instead.

    She stifles a laugh and rolls her eyes, "Whatever." She then starts heading towards the table but was stopped by a hand tugging at her shirt, "Hold it! Okay for real this time, look, I'm the new captain of the soccer team!"

    "For real?" Her eyes widened, "Congrats dude! You deserve it."

    "Aha, I like to think that but our team captain was actually injured so he decided to quit and the title was passed onto me." He rubs his nape, "I mean I'm happy, but I wish I didn't get the title for such a lame reason like that."

    "Now, now, It doesn't help to think like that, Pollux." Said their mother as she walks down the stairs with a laundry basket in hand, "What matters is that they thought you were capable enough to become team captain, alright?"

    Pollux returned a gentle smile, "Yeah... Guess so."

    "I know so, and I'm very proud of you." She places the basket down for a while with a heave.

    "Mom, don't you have work today?" Aster interjected as she was chewing on her food.

    "Oh no, lux convinced me to take a day off."

    "That's great news!" Aster looks over to her brother with an approving smile, "I'm surprised you got her to listen."

    Pollux smirked, "Perks of being a biological child." 

    "What did I say about those sort of jokes, Pollux?" Grace frowned.

    "Hehe, my bad." He then glanced at his phone, reading what seems to be a message, "Anyways, there's this new junior who's joining the team, name's Khai. A little bit on the weird side, but we get along pretty well and he's currently... outside our house?"

    "He's what?"