I Told The Moon About You

25: Shooting Star

The week after those few days of vacation went by in a mix of monotony and the occasional vibrance. The latter usually involved his friends or Mars, and the monotonous feel was from working more than he usually would.

He had chosen to work on the weekend to make up for him missing one day. He was regretting it, but his guilty conscience wouldn't let it slide, so he pushed through. The one thing keeping him going was the knowledge that he was going to meet up with his siblings that night.

He was both nervous and excited to see them. He had no idea what they looked like now. He wondered if Alex had finally grown into his big eyes, and if Iris cut her hair like she'd always raved about when she was little. Elias wanted to see what changed and what stayed the same.

He didn't realize just how much he missed them until Alex called.

Elias had pushed any thoughts about his family or the people back home to the very deep, dark corners of his brain. The only person he ever thought about was Kris, and even then he tried to keep himself from thinking too much. It hurt to think about her, and it hurt to think about everything that happened when he was still growing up.

But — maybe, maybe this could be some sort of closure. Maybe he could have that sibling bond again that he hadn't felt in thirteen years.

When Elias got home, Mars was following him around the house, talking a mile a minute. "Where are you going?" she asked about three times. "Are you going on a date? Is it with that one awkward guy? Are you hanging out with people?"

Elias turned and placed his hand on top of her head, which made her shut up. She looked at him with this giddy, curious expression. He sighed. "No, no date. No friends — kind of. I'm going to see some people I haven't talked to in a long time."

"Who?"

Elias didn't want to tell her that. Not yet. Not until he was sure he could allow Alex and Iris back into his life, and by default, into Mars'. He didn't want to give her hope, or even himself.

"I'll tell you all about it when I get back," Elias said, pushing her hair out of her face. "Promise. Also — are you absolutely positive you can stay home alone this one time?"

"Yes," Mars stated confidently. "I'm not a kid."

You are, Elias thought, but he kept it to himself that time. "Okay. Keep the doors locked, no opening the door for anyone — "

"I know! I know the drill."

"You have Ms. Gale's number, right? Just in case I can't pick up."

"Yep!"

"Okay." He gently pushed at her. "Now, shoo. I need to get dressed."

Mars nodded and left, shutting the door behind her. Elias glanced at his closet in disdain. He hated having to dress up. They weren't meeting up anywhere super formal, so he decided to stick to the basics. Kris would kill him if she was there. She'd always been better with the fashion aspects of things.

He finished getting ready and made his way downstairs, fixing a watch on his wrist. "Mars?" he called.

"Kitchen!"

She sounded like she was eating. And when he walked in, he was proven correct — she found Elias' snack stash he kept for himself when he had random cravings. He sighed, but didn't comment. She didn't know.

"I'm leaving now," he told her. "You'll be okay?"

"Yes, yeah, I already told you."

"I know," Elias mumbled, walking over to place a kiss on her forehead. "I'll text you when I'm on my way home. So you don't get freaked out by the doorbell."