22. Kellerman
Junior Year
“Of course, aliens are real. Are you kidding?”
Stephen scoffs. “If they were, we’d know about it. There’s no proof.”
My eyes narrow. “The proof is in the logic. There are billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars—and probably even more planets we haven’t discovered. It’s statistically likely that life exists elsewhere in the universe.”
Presley leans her elbows on the table. “The government probably knows about it, and covers it up.”
“Exactly.”
Stephen lifts his cup of hot chocolate to his lips. “There’s no way. I don’t believe it.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s close-minded to think it isn’t possible.”
“I’m the opposite of close-minded.” He spread out his arms wide on either side of him. “My mind is as open as they come.”
“Open and empty ,” I mutter.
Presley giggles as she threads her fingers through my hair. “You’re such an Aquarius, my grumpy man.”
“What does that mean?”
Her back straightens as her eyes widen with excitement. “Have you never read about your zodiac sign?”
I shake my head, and she looks to Stephen. “What about you?”
“If I don’t believe in aliens, then I’m definitely not believing that someone’s birthday can tell you all this bullshit about them.”
Presley gasps as she scrambles for her phone. “I’m about to blow your minds.”
Stephen lowers his lips to her neck. “I have something else you can blow.”
“Behave.” She laughs as she digs her elbow into his ribs. “Okay, Chance. You’re an Aquarius. You seem detached and aloof because you prioritize logic over emotion; you’re independent and don’t like to be told what to do; and you’re extremely intellectual .”
I lean back in my seat as I think about everything. “Okay, that sounds about right.”
Stephen rolls his eyes. “Come on. You don’t think there are other people in the world with different birth months who have those same exact qualities?”
Presley smirks. “Let’s read about Leo, shall we?”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Go for it.”
“ Leos are known for their vibrant personalities .” She widens her eyes at Stephen. “ They have strong self-assurance; they’re very generous; they have magnetic personalities. ” She shoots him a look again. “ They’re deeply loyal, passionate, optimistic, and dramatic .”
He scoffs. “I am not dramatic.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “Says the man who announced he was having a coffee catastrophe the other day because he woke up late and didn’t have time to grab his usual coffee before class.”
Presley holds her index finger up in the air. “And I offered to bring it to you while you were in class, to which you said that it wouldn’t be the same because you always pet the barista’s service dog...”
“And then you said the dog was going to think you abandoned her,” I finish.
His eyebrows pull together. “Dogs are creatures of habit. She expects me at the same time every morning.”
“Dogs can’t tell time!”
Presley throws her head back as she laughs. “Come on. The description of your personality is pretty spot-on, baby.” She presses a kiss to his cheek. “And that’s okay, because those are all the reasons why I love you.”
He grumbles as he nuzzles her neck.
I tip my chin. “Read yours, rebel.”
Presley’s thumbs fly across her screen before she clears her throat. “ Geminis are dynamic and versatile. They’re adaptable; communicative; playful; and persuasive. They are known for their curiosity, as well as their social nature .”
Stephen nods. “You are very social. Look at what you put together today.”
My chest expands with pride. Presley organized a gathering for LGBTQ students so that they could connect with one another on campus. She worked on it for weeks, and though I’m not one for socializing, it was pretty awesome to see just how many queer students are here; how many people are just like the three of us.
Presley types some more, and I lean over her shoulder to get a glimpse of what she’s reading. “The thing I love most about the zodiac is the way we are connected through our signs. Listen to this: Leo and Aquarius are considered polar opposites .” She holds up her phone to show us a circle containing each of the zodiac signs, with Leo and Aquarius on exact opposite sides. “ But this dynamic can actually create a powerful connection between them. Much like air breathes life into fire, air sign Aquarius breathes life into the fire of the Leo. They balance each other’s needs, and have a strong magnetic attraction .” Presley sets down her phone, and claps each of our hands. “So, you’re basically written in the stars.”
I lock eyes with Stephen. “You always say you believe in that destiny mumbo-jumbo.”
He nods as he leans across Presley and cups my face. “The three of us are meant to be. We’re meant for forever. I know it.”
“The universe knows it too,” Presley whispers.
It’s funny how the idea of aliens seems more believable than being destined for love. But I keep my thoughts to myself. With the two of them looking at me the way they are, it’s hard to argue.
I’ll believe in anything they want me to.
“I’m so tired. I can’t wait to crash.”
Stephen wraps an arm around Presley’s waist as we get to our dorm room. “You had a big day today. You deserve a foot massage.”
She hums. “That sounds like heaven right now.”
I turn the doorknob and swing open the door, letting them walk into the room first.
Presley gasps, and Stephen’s feet falter behind her. “Oh my God. What is this?”
I smirk as I slip my hands into my pockets and lean against the door to close it behind me, watching their reactions.
Stephen’s head whips around to look at me. “You did this?”
“You mentioned you didn’t end up going to prom because you got sick, and I never wanted to go...so I figured we could have a re-do.” My eyes flick to Presley. “With our girl.”
Presley’s eyes bounce around from the string lights hanging from the ceiling to the glittery PROM sign I hung on the wall. Dozens of tea light candles dance around in the dimly-lit room. I take out my phone and hit play on the playlist I created, and a soft melody begins to play.
“This is...” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you did this.”
Stephen’s mouth flaps open and closed. “I can’t believe you used glitter.”
I roll my eyes. “It was an instant regret. I’m still finding specks of it on me.”
He chuckles, and tugs me close. “Can I have this dance, boyfriend?”
I arch a brow. “Boyfriend...? That’s presumptuous.”
“You don’t do all this,” he waves his arm around the decorated room, “for someone who isn’t your boyfriend.”
I snake my arm around Presley’s waist and pull her into our embrace, and the three of us start to move to the music. “Does that make you our girlfriend?”
She beams up at me. “It better.”
“I’ve never been a boyfriend before.”
“I think you’re going to be the best boyfriend ever.” She lets out a contented sigh and rests her head on my chest.
My gaze lifts to Stephen, and his crystal-blue eyes shine. “Thank you.”
I bite back a smile.
Anything for these two.