Rea tossed and turned that night, sleep slipping through her fingers like grains of sand. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind spun back to Aster—his voice, his words, the look in his eyes before he disappeared behind his door.
She couldn't stop thinking about it.
The way he said he was lost.
The way he admitted, however reluctantly, that some part of him wanted to meet his father.
Rea understood that better than she wanted to.
She rolled onto her side, staring at the ceiling in the darkness.
Her parents had never been open about their past, not really. They gave her what she needed to know, kept her safe, but there were always gaps. Questions she didn't know how to ask, and answers they weren't willing to give.
Maybe that's why Aster's words struck a nerve.
Because some part of her knew what it was like to wonder.
To feel like a part of yourself was missing.
Rea sighed, pressing her palms against her eyes.
This wasn't helping.
She needed to sleep.
She had school in the morning, and she had no doubt that showing up with Aster again would only draw more questions—especially from Elena.
She turned again, exhaling slowly.
But just as her body started to relax, she heard it.
A creak.
Soft. Faint.
Like someone was moving in the hall.
Rea sat up, heart pounding, straining to listen.
Another sound.
Footsteps, light but purposeful.
Her stomach twisted.
Aster.
Without thinking, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, creeping toward the door. She cracked it open just enough to peek outside.
The hall was dim, shadows stretching long against the floor from the faint glow of the kitchen light.
And there he was.
Aster.
He was standing by the front door, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
Leaving.
Rea's breath caught.
She didn't think. Didn't hesitate.
She pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. "Where are you going?"
Aster froze.
For a second, he didn't move.
Then he let out a sigh, shoulders dropping. He didn't turn around. "Go back to sleep, Jones."
Rea crossed her arms. "Not until you tell me where you're going."
Silence.
Aster reached for the doorknob.
Rea's stomach twisted harder. "Aster."
His hand stilled.
Slowly, he turned to look at her.
Something was off.
His usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced with something heavier.
Something that made her heart ache.
"I just need to clear my head," he said finally.
Rea frowned. "And you need a bag for that?"
Aster exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Look, it's not a big deal. I just—" He cut himself off, jaw tightening. "I need to be alone for a while, okay?"
Rea swallowed. "No."
Aster blinked. "What?"
"No," Rea repeated, stepping closer. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to just leave without telling me why."
Aster groaned, rubbing his face. "Rea—"
"No," she snapped. "I've seen this before, Aster. People running when things get too hard, when it's easier to just disappear than deal with it."
Aster's expression darkened. "You think that's what this is?"
"I know that's what this is."
His hands curled into fists at his sides. "And what if I need to leave, Rea? What if I can't—" He cut himself off, breathing harshly through his nose.
Rea softened. "You can."
Aster shook his head, turning away. "You don't get it."
"Then help me understand," she pleaded.
Silence.
For a moment, Rea thought he wouldn't answer.
Then, finally, in a quiet voice, he said, "I don't want to screw this up."
Rea's breath caught.
Aster exhaled, gripping the strap of his bag tighter. "I ruin things, Rea. That's what I do. I mess up, I push people away, and eventually, they stop trying."
Rea swallowed hard. "I haven't stopped."
Aster looked up.
Their eyes met, something raw passing between them.
Rea took a breath. "You don't have to leave. Not this time."
Aster hesitated.
For the first time since she met him, he looked uncertain. Like he was caught between two choices, teetering on the edge of something he wasn't sure he could handle.
Rea reached out.
Slowly, carefully.
Her fingers brushed against his wrist.
Aster stiffened, but he didn't pull away.
Rea swallowed. "Stay."
Aster stared at her.
Seconds stretched into eternity.
Then, finally—slowly—he let out a breath.
And dropped his bag.
Rea exhaled, relief crashing over her.
Aster rubbed the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at her. "…This doesn't mean I won't leave eventually."
Rea nodded. "I know."
Aster's jaw clenched.
But he stayed.