ancient history

astrea was sitting on the edge of her bathtub, tapping her foot against the tile floor. she felt like she was going insane. she had done her research, of course, read as much as she possibly could in the last three or so hours. she didn’t know what to do. she didn’t have a plan in mind this time. she usually had a plan for everything.

at least she had margo. margo would keep her grounded, for sure. she also knew that her best friend would keep her secret. of course she wanted to tell elvie, but she wanted to be sure before she blurted out that she was...she couldn’t even say it allowed. 

elvie has lived in the same bedroom in the same house for his entire life. he imagines that it’s the closest thing in the entire world to what the inside of his brain looks like. the bright orange walls are plastered with horror movie posters, the floor is covered in clutter, and elvie can never find something when he needs it. he slipped off his glasses and gathered astrea into his arms as he climbed onto the bed. his head on the pillows, elvie stared at the glow in the dark stars stuck to his ceiling and listened to his girlfriend explain what led to her parents kicking her out of their house.

they want me to break up with you. dark brows pulled together as he lifted his head, frowning at astrea as though he didn’t understand but oh, he did. when they first started dating, her parents seemed indifferent to his existence. at the time, he didn’t realize that it was preferable to how they would come to feel about him. elvie wouldn’t care about her parents outright despising him simply for being poor, as they put it, if he didn’t know how much it bothered astrea. “oh,” he murmured, “that’s what you fought about?”

although it perhaps should not have surprised him, elvie was taken aback. he didn’t want to be the reason for a rift between astrea and her parents — especially since he knows how helpful they could be when she begins seriously studying archaeology in the next few years. after all, it wasn’t like elvie was ever going to make a name for himself, right? meanwhile, he believes that astrea really has a chance. “i’m sorry. i could try to get on their good side,” he offered, “again.” he’s starting to think that there’s no changing their minds when it comes to the topic of whether or not he’s good enough to be dating their daughter. 

astrea never stays anywhere for too long. most of her life is packed in boxes from when her parents drag her to a new town or country. her room in salem is practically bare, save for a few knickknacks that she takes with her: a mini globe, one or two books on greek literature, a small house plant, and a framed picture of elvie. astrea rest her head against his arm, her fingers mindlessness drawing a pattern on his shirt. 

she looks up at him as he moves, her nose scrunching in protest. she didn’t mean to make him feel bad, of course, she was just beinf honest. she shrugs her shoulders. “that and i’m generally being too rebellious for my own good.” she sighs and settles back into the bed. astrea shakes her head. “it’s no use, el- not because of you. they’re just so set in their ways. if i can’t change their minds, then you can’t either.” astrea turns so that she embraces him. “but i don’t care what they think” she murmurs against him. “i love you and they can’t ever change that.” 

Logan sat on top of the counter, quite content to watch the rather slow day pass her by. The country club was always packed on weekends. The Sunday Gold Tournament was particularly painful. However, the middle of the week was the slowest. Wednesdays always seemed to go the slowest. Maybe that’s why they made Elvie work every Wednesday— Because god knows the worst waiter in the club couldn’t handle the weekend rush. As for Logan? She was just there to make sure he didn’t break something. “Hello Madam, welcome to The Sunrise Country Club Restaurant. This is the pickup area, but if you’d like to get a table you can request to be seated near the french doors.” She drawls out in a monotone, barely paying the girl any mind. It’s only when she mentions Elvie that Logan’s interest is piqued. “Helmet hair is on a break.” She says, clearly trying to figure out how this pretty little thing could possibly know that train wreck she calls a friend. “No way.” If it was possible for her jaw to hit the floor, it would’ve. “You’re real?”

astrea had been meaning to visit the restaurant, but her school schedule was far too hectic for that. however, she specifically cleared space today so she could surprise her boyfriend. she walked forward, kitten heels clicking the floor as she moved. her eyes focused on the young woman in front of her. this must be robin, she deduced. elvie frequently spoke about his friend from work. she quirked a brow, tilting her head so that long dark locks fell past her shoulder. “i’ll let him relax then,” she hummed. astrea blinked, not exactly understanding the girl’s amazement. “last time i checked, yeah. are you real?”

margo: i didn't realize it til right now but sis me too

margo: this is bonkers.

margo: i wanna say jinkies in real life that's how crazy this is

margo: i love you astrea. whatever happens, i've got your back.

astrea: utterly bonkers

astrea: :(( i love you too

elvie: max told me she's been thinking about visiting home and i was thinking that maybe we should go with her

elvie: and maybe margo and logan too

elvie: mom is always asking about you when she calls

elvie: i think she misses you

astrea: you know i'm always down to go home

astrea: the whole gang

margo: i will! i just told him im out getting tampons lol

margo: EXACTLY! smart. you're so smart.

margo: i'm sorry i'm definitely freaking out. i'll stop.

margo: i just never thought about this? like you... AND ELVIE OH MY GOD elvie as a DAd?

margo: i'll stop.

astrea: i like tampons

astrea: thank you, you're so smart, too

astrea: it's ok it's ok

margo: RIGHT YEAH OK

margo: i can't tell casey right? so i gotta go by myself okay i'm not gonna tell case he'll tell elvie.

margo: oh my god. okay. yeah proof. proof is good.

margo: what if you are??? thats?? WOW!!

astrea: pls keep it to yourself

astrea: proof is great! proof about ghosts or science or religion or calculus

astrea: i know

astrea: i don't know

elvie: well, i /do/ know that margo likes bone broth

elvie: our mom used to make it for us whenever we got sick

astrea: karla is so kind

margo: OH

margo: OH OKAY

margo: IM?

margo: OKAY

margo: IM GONNA GO TO WALMART? I GUESS? WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU GET THOSE FROM? WALMART YEAH?

margo: you think you're pregnant?

astrea: ok

astrea: ok

astrea: uh yeah i think walmart works yes

astrea: i think i could be and i don't know what to do

margo: easy enough! i don't tell elvie most things.

margo: i promise. hand on my signed winona poster.

astrea: i need you to pick up a pregnancy test.

margo: of course sweetpea !! what's up??

astrea: ok pls don't tell anyone, not even elvie