( Asteria Clifford,
June 10th— 9:23 AM )
Once a year in my household, my family were all at home.
No one had school, no one had work, nothing.
That day just so happened to be today– and I had no idea why. Everyone was getting ready for something and I was a bit confused because the calendar downstairs didn't say anything.
And I relied on that calendar.
"Luke, you can't wear that! I'm wearing that!" Ashton shouted from downstairs.
"Oh boo hoo, Ashton!" Luke shouted from upstairs.
I sighed deeply as I grabbed my remote and turned up the volume on my TV to tune out the petty arguing happening. I had been watching Outer Banks all week, dreaming of a JJ Maybank lover.
"Rudy Pankow," I began. "Our age gap is so little. One chance, please?"
"Who's Rudy Pankow?"
I jumped from the sudden voice and looked at my door. Apollo stood there with a tux on and his hair combed into a spike. "Jesus,"
"No. but close," He humored. "Daddy wants to know if you're almost ready."
"For what?" I asked, sitting up in my blankets.
Apollo looked confused. "Did you forget?"
"Forget what?" I was confused, too.
"Daddy and uncles ceremony is today, Sissy." He said. "Didn't Daddy tell you?"
My dad came up from behind Apollo and looked at me. "You forgot?" He asked. "Wasn't it on the calendar?"
I jumped up. "No!?" I cried, looking in my closet instantly. "When do we have to leave?"
"10." My dad said, "Be ready by 10, please. I'm sorry I forgot to remind you." He went to turn around and leave, but turned back around. "Your favorite person is going to be there!"
"My favorite person?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Your best friend! Casper Faucheaux."
Casper Faucheaux. 17 year old asshole whose parents work with mine since we were 10 years old. The green eyed ghost man. I have hated the asshole since we were 10 when he mentioned my star pins were stupid and when I called him Casper the ghost.
Little me declared he was Satan.
"Are you serious?" I slumped. "That cocky asshole is going to be there?"
"Language." My dad warned. "And yes. That cocky asshole's dad is one of my good friends. Please try and be as nice as you can."
It was a known thing that we didn't like each other when we were 13 and he called my star dress stupid and that I wasn't actually the goddess of stars. To which I replied, "Obviously. You're not as friendly as Casper the friendly ghost. What happened?" and he pulled my hair.
"Whatever." I mumbled.
The only time I had ever considered liking Casper is when he was 16 and I was 15 and getting hitted on by Jason Ruford, who happened to be the son of a very known asshole of a doctor. He had begged me to go home with him, and when I said no, he shouted at me— then, Casper punched him in the eye and left a gnarly scar.
He respected women. And I respected him for it.
But no way in hell was I going to tell him that.
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My dad's events were always so fancy.
Fancy to the point where the waiters wore fancy tuxedos and passed around small Champagne classes and margaritas, circle shaped tables that seated at least 9 with a white cloth and name tags behind the plate, and people who tapped their glass with a small spoon to get people's attention.
"So," My dad began. "Is it okay if Apollo rides with you?"
"Yeah, of course." I didn't hesitate and ruffled Apollo's hair. Despite us not being that close, he'd always be my little brother.
"Perfect! Are you ready?"
I decided to wear a long dress that has a tight torso area with spaghetti straps with blue flowers scattered all over with my hair in my hair crown and white heels that added 4 inches to my height.
We walked outside to the cars and Apollo said goodbye to my dad and that he'd see him soon. Apollo got buckled and so did I and we began driving down our neighborhood.
After 5 minutes of silence, we sat at a light and my dad texted me. I looked at the text and he said they were detouring and to stop and get food.
I exhaled and drove until the next McDonalds pulled up. I drove into the drive thru and asked Apollo, "What do you want, kiddo?"
"Kids meal please!" He pleaded.
"You got it."
After we ordered and got our food, I handed it to him and we started driving again. I ate as we drove, which isn't exactly the safest option, and we listened to Taylor Swift. Me being a wonderful teacher, Apollo sang each song in slurred words.
As we pulled into the parking lot and I saw a car I recognized, I closed my eyes for a moment and parked a couple rows over.
While I was waiting for my dad to arrive, I picked up my phone and french fries and started scrolling through pinterest and adding pins to my "JJ Maybank" board.
However, my driver's door opened suddenly and I screamed in horror. A laugh I recognized caused me to groan.
"Casper, what the hell!" I shouted. "You scared me!"
"Obviously." The green eyed asshole chuckled, picking a french fry from my french fry holder. "Miss me, Sweetheart?"
"No, I didn't." I replied, putting my fries down next to me and setting my phone in my lap. Casper wore a black tux with his hair swooped over to the side. "What are you doing here?"
Casper extended his arm across my lap and unbuckled me. His face was close to mine and he smirked. "Same as you, darling."
"Get off of me, weirdo." I said, shooing him away and telling Apollo to get out and come over to me. "I thought you hated these things?"
"I could say the same about you." Casper said, smiling as Apollo ran into his embrace. "My man! Wow, you've grown, how are you? Did you get here safely? Was your sister a good driver?"
"She got me McDonalds!" Apollo praised.
"Where's mine?" Casper asked me.
"Probably in hell." I muttered, grabbing my phone and keys from my car and locking it. The three of us walked into the nearly empty hall with people murmuring.
"Where is your mom?" I asked, looking around for Casper's parents.
"Dunno. I drove here alone." Casper shrugged.
"Oh." I deadpanned. "Well, me and Apollo shout go find our seats—"
"Oh no."
"What?"
Casper pointed to a certain family and I noticed Jason. I widened my eyes, stepping behind Casper and cursing my luck. "What is he doing here?"
"Well..." Casper mumbled, "His dad is a doctor..."
"I should not have come." I whined.
Casper turned to look down on me and mumbled. "He's not going to touch you, Asteria, I promise."
I swallowed and nodded toward Casper as I held Apollo's hand and walked to our table. As I approached, Jason noticed and walked over.
"No." I begged myself.
"Hello, Asteria." Jason chuckled. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks." I mumbled quietly, sitting down in my chair.
I looked at Casper, with pleading eyes, and looked back at Jason. "What are you doing here?"
"My dad wanted me to come." Jason put his hands in his pockets. "Why don't we get out of here?"
"I–"
"Jason, my man," I looked up at the feeling of a hand on my shoulder. "Your eye looks better. Lovely scar, too."
"Casper." Jason stood up and straightened his back. "You're lucky I didn't press charges."
Casper shrugged. "You press charges and your dad gets fired."
I stood up and walked away from their argument immediately to find Apollo with my dad. My dad smiled at me and said, "Hi honey. How was the drive?"
I smiled back. "It was good. Shall we go sit?"