Astrid

41

"I can't believe my baby's going to school. You're growing up, love."

"But why are you sad about it?"

"I never thought you'd grow up so soon," papa almost cried.

I tried to placate him by kissing his cheeks. "But you have so many children and they're all grown up. I think Adonis might even get married soon. Are you sad about that too?"

Papa shook his head. "I couldn't care less about those creatures, baby. But you- you're my everything, love. I don't want you to grow up."

It seems a little silly to me but I guess that's how parents think when their babies grow up. Maybe he's sad he won't get to coddle me as much. But why wouldn't he? It's not like I'm leaving. Oh! Maybe he's afraid I'll get married and leave him. Silly papa.

"Don't be sad papa. I'll always be your baby."

Papa nodded. "Yes you will." He then proceeded to pick me up and put me on the couch. "I'll get you food."

"But I'm not hungry."

Papa shook his head. "Just some fruits. Please."

I can never say no to him. "Okay."

______________________________________

After having a giant bowl of fruits I came back home with Adrian.

"How'd it go," Soren asked as soon as I walked in.

I nodded. "Good."

"Do you need help choosing your electives?"

"Yes please."

Soren smiled. "Why don't you go freshen up and then I'll help you after lunch.

I agreed and went to my room.

______________________________________

"I don't know man," I spoke into the phone.

"Come on it'll be fun. And bring her along." My friend Mason is trying to convince me to go to his party tonight. And he says I can bring Astrid along with me. Fuck it.

"Soren." I yelled walking towards the living room.

"Soren."

"What," he asked without removing his eyes from his laptop.

"Come with me."

That got his attention. "Where," he narrowed his eyes.

I rolled my eyes and pulled him by his hands.

"Wait let me put my lap-" thud.

"Great." Fuck Soren's seething in ager now. "You broke my laptop."

"I'll buy you another one I promise but please come with me."

He rolled his eyes but followed me to my room nonetheless.

I locked the door after we're both in. "Look Mase is throwing a party -"

"When's he not throwing a party," Soren interrupted.

I rolled my eyes. "No like this is the one he throws every year before school and I wanna go."

"Then go. Why are you asking me?"

"I'm not asking you. I'm informing you that you're coming along."

Soren shrugged. "Sure."

"And-" I gave him a nervous smile. "I was thinking maybe we could bring Astrid too."

"Absolutely not."

"Come on why not," I whined.

"You know what happens at these places, we can't take her somewhere like this."

"Please I'm sure she'd love to go."

"No she wouldn't."

"She would."

"No- wait let's go ask her. I'm sure she'll say no."

I nodded and off we went to ask our darling sister. I hope she says yes, I even have my fingers crossed.

Soren knocked on her bedroom door.

"Come in."

Soren and I went in.

"Do you want to go to a high school party with us," I asked without wasting a single moment.

"Yes."

"Hah. Suck it bitch."

"Anubis," Soren glared at me through his glasses. "Sorry sweetheart, you can't go."

Astrid pouted. "Why not?"

"Yeah Soren, why not?"

Soren scratched his head. "You see, it's not the best place for you to be. How about we go out for ice cream?"

She shook her head. "I wanna go to a party. Please."

An I knew Soren's stone clod heart melted. He sighed. "Okay fine, but only if dad says yes."

I scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, dad will never let her go. We'll just sneak out and sneak back in."

Soren looked at me over his glasses. "Sneak out? Pray tell brother how do you plan on sneaking out of this heavily guarded manor."

Before I could argue in favor of my high-caliber brain Astrid spoke. "I'll ask papa I'm sure he won't say no."

And before any of us could stop her, she ran out.

"If I die, I'll fucking kill you," I hissed at Soren while he just shrugged and walked out with his hands in his pockets.