The morning started like any other. Celeste was in the kitchen, humming softly as she brewed coffee, while Andrew sat at the dining table, flipping through a newspaper. The sun was just starting to rise, casting golden light through the windows.
Rea, still groggy from the night before, dragged herself downstairs, rubbing her eyes. "Morning," she mumbled.
"Morning, sweetheart," Celeste said, setting plates of toast and eggs on the table. "Hungry?"
Rea flopped into a chair. "Starving."
As they started eating, Celeste glanced toward the stairs. "Where's Aster?"
Rea frowned mid-bite. She hadn't seen him since last night. "Probably still asleep."
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "That would be a first."
Something uneasy settled in Rea's chest. Aster wasn't exactly the sleeping in type. He was usually up early, pacing, thinking—always moving.
"I'll check," she said, pushing away from the table.
She climbed the stairs and knocked on Aster's door. No response.
"Aster?" she called.
Silence.
Her stomach tightened. She tried the handle—unlocked. She pushed the door open.
Empty.
The bed was untouched. His jacket was gone.
Rea's pulse picked up.
She rushed downstairs. "He's not in his room."
Celeste and Andrew exchanged a look before hurrying outside. They checked the backyard, the garage, even the street. Nothing.
Panic crept in.
"What if he ran off?" Celeste murmured. "After everything last night…"
Andrew frowned. "No. Aster wouldn't just leave."
Rea wasn't so sure. He had been off last night—distant, lost in thought. What if it had been too much? What if he needed to escape?
She was about to grab her keys and go searching when—
The front door opened.
Aster stepped inside, completely relaxed, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
Rea, Celeste, and Andrew all froze.
He blinked at them. "What's with the faces?"
Rea gaped. "Where the hell were you?!"
Aster raised an eyebrow. "Getting coffee?" He took a slow sip. "You guys seriously thought I ran away?"
Celeste let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples. "We were worried, Aster."
Andrew shook his head. "Next time, at least leave a note."
Aster smirked. "Noted."
Rea crossed her arms, glaring. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
Aster shrugged, sipping his coffee. "A little."
Rea groaned, throwing a piece of toast at him. "Idiot."
But despite her frustration, she was relieved.
Because Aster was here. And for now, that was enough.
---
Later that morning, Aster and Rea headed to school. The walk was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Aster seemed more himself—more grounded. Maybe he'd worked through something during his little coffee escape.
By the time they reached the school gates, Rea was feeling lighter. That is, until Elena appeared out of nowhere, looping an arm through Rea's.
"Jones," Elena grinned, "we need a girls' day."
Rea blinked. "Huh?"
"Park. Food. Fun. No boys allowed." She shot a pointed look at Aster.
Aster held up his hands. "Trust me, I have zero interest in whatever you two are planning."
Elena rolled her eyes. "Good. Now, Rea, say yes."
Rea hesitated, glancing at Aster. He gave her a slight nod, as if to say, Go have fun.
She smiled. "Alright, fine. Girls' day it is."
---
A Day at the Park
Elena didn't waste any time. The moment school ended, she dragged Rea straight to the park, where the sun was shining, and the air was crisp.
The first thing they did? Ice cream.
Elena bought them both double scoops, insisting that "ice cream makes everything better."
Then, swings. They raced to see who could go higher, laughing so hard Rea nearly fell off.
Then, duck-feeding. Because why not?
Then, chasing pigeons. (Elena started it, but Rea might have gotten a little too into it.)
Then, people-watching. They sat on a bench, making up wild stories about strangers passing by.
"That guy?" Elena whispered, pointing at a man in a suit. "Secret spy."
Rea nodded solemnly. "Definitely. Probably on the run from a government agency."
"And that girl over there?"
Rea smirked. "Clearly a runaway princess."
Elena gasped. "Yes! You get me."
Rea laughed, genuinely laughed, for the first time in days.
For a few hours, there was no stress. No secrets. No Collaway.
Just fun.
Just normal.
And Rea realized—she needed this.