xxii. sky full of stars

——

"He wants you for some reason."

Freya froze with wide eyes and her face turned pale. "What?"

"I don't know why. But he keeps bringing you up." Douglas told her and Freya turned back to him, feeling fear fill her body. "He apparently knows you."

That moment kept replaying in Freya's mind. She's been trying to figure it out, but she can't seem to understand it. Why would he want her? They have never met.

However, his voice and his eyes are vaguely familiar to her. It feels like deja vu to her.

Freya snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Juliet stop by her room, leaning against the doorframe.

"What's on your mind?" Juliet asked and Freya shook her head.

"Getting ready for the planetarium." Freya replied.

"You're still in bed." Juliet frowned and Freya looked down at herself to see she was still in bed.

"I'm thinking about getting ready." Freya grinned.

Juliet rolled her eyes. "You have an hour and a half left more to think about it before Chase arrives."

Freya blushed at the thought of Chase picking her up. She was nervous about spending hours and hours alone with Chase. Especially with what happened the other day when she kissed him.

She couldn't help herself. Just just saw his soft lips and gorgeous eyes and just wanted to kiss him.

He kissed back, so she knows he wasn't opposed to it.

"Even when I say his name, you get all flustered. Girl, you are obsessed." Juliet chuckled.

"Shut up." Freya mumbled. "Let me get ready."

Juliet grinned with amusement, before walking away.

Freya got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

——

Freya has finished her shower and was struggling on what outfit to wear. Freya usually doesn't put any thought into picking out clothes, but her mind was forcing herself to look nice for Chase.

She was kicking herself for allowing a boy to do this to her. She would rather kick Chase than worry about what jeans to wear.

She definitely didn't want to wear a dress.

"Maybe a skirt." Freya pondered and then groaned, smacking her head. "No! Stop it!"

Freya checked the time and she has an hour left to figure it out.

"It's just a boy." Freya scoffed and than she blushed. "A cute boy with a nice smile and pretty eyes."

Freya fell down on her bed, groaning into her pillow. She lifted her head and got out her phone, calling Bree.

"Hi bestie!" Bree answered brightly.

"Bree, I need help picking out an outfit for my date with Chase."

Freya was stunned at herself for admitting it was a date so nonchalantly.

"On my way!" Bree hung up and five seconds later Bree appeared at her doorway. "Hi Rey!"

Freya sat up and smiled at Bree. "Did anyone see you?"

"No." Bree scoffed and walked in, closing the door. "I'm too fast for them."

"True." Freya said and Bree began looking through her closet. "I don't know what to wear. Ive never thought about it this much before. I'm mad at myself for allowing Chase to make me worry like this for clothes."

"I'm still confused on how you like my brother. But I love helping you pick out a cute outfit," Bree grinned and pulled out a black skirt and than a cream colored sweater. "This is cute. You have skirts? You never wear them."

"Juliet got me that. I hate the feeling of my legs out in the open," Freya reasoned. "I feel naked."

Bree rolled her eyes and founded black tights. "Wear these with it. It will help."

Freya reluctantly agreed and went to the bathroom to put it on. She looked in the mirror once the outfit was on and she flattened out the skirt to make sure itwas covering her butt. She was glad she has tights on, she felt better and it looked cuter.

She walked back to her room and Bree had opened Freya's jewelry box. Bree smiled and clapped happily. "You look amazing!"

Freya grinned at her happiness. "Thanks."

"Now, I have some jewelry picked out." Bree showed Freya some star earrings and a moon necklace. "You have space jewelry and it fits the theme!"

"I do like space." Freya shrugged as she took the earrings and put them in her ears.

"After today, will you and Chase be a couple?" Bree asked as she helped Freya put the necklace on.

Freya blushed at the idea of being Chase's girlfriend. But fear entered her mind of rejection and getting left. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Bree asked and Freya turned to her. "You two are so close and are always together."

"I'd like to be his girlfriend. But... im scared. I have a huge past of getting left and dealing with rejection. What if he does the same?" Freys asked nervously.

"If he rejects you, than he lost his only chance of getting a girlfriend. You do realize how much Chase likes you, right?" Bree smiled at her. "He would never do what people in the past have done. That isn't the Chase I know. He's too nice to do that! And if he does, I will never let him hear the end of it."

Freya chuckled with a bashfully smile. "We will see what happens today."

Bree gave Freya a side hug, before going to Freya's shoes and handing her a pair of black doc martens. Freya grinned happily that Bree didn't suggest heels of any kind.

"You'll be walking a lot. So, these will be better." Bree mentioned as Freya put on the shoes. "As for hair, you already have gorgeous curly locks. But, I was thinking we do a half up half down situation."

"Do whatever you please." Freya allowed and Bree smiled happily, before grabbing a brush. Freya sat down at her vanity, letting Bree do her hair.

——

It was only a few minutes before Chase arrives and Freya was waiting in the living room, shaking her leg nervously as she sat on the couch. Cassandra, Juliet, and Bree were with her.

"If he's late, I'll hit him." Juliet threatened.

"I'll help you." Bree added.

"Girls, he's a nice boy, he wouldn't be late." Cassandra told them and Freya wasn't paying attention. She was playing the possible scenarios that could happen in her head.

What if he hates what I'm wearing?

What if he changes his mind?

What if he forgets?

What if he sees a prettier girl?

Knock knock!

Freya gasped, standing up and went to walk away, bur Juliet stopped her.

"You are fine." Juliet assured her and Bree gave her a smile as Cassandra answered.

"I am not." Freya panicked and hid behind the girls. They shared an amused grin as Freya was hiding behind them.

Cassandra opened the door to a smiling Chase. "Hello, Chase."

Chase was standing there in his typical flannel and jeans with his high tops. His hair was styled nicely and he was holding a bouquet of azalea flowers. Freya's favorite flower.

"Hello, Miss Monroe." He greeted and shook her head. "May I come in?"

"Absolutely." She moved to the side and Chase walked in, never seeing Freya's house before.

"You have a lovely house." Chase said and saw Juliet and Bree standing there with smiles. "Where's Freya?"

"Behind us." Juliet grinned and stepped aside, pushing her sister forward. Freya awkwardly stood there with a heavy blush. Chase took in her appearance and found himself blushing, finding her extremely attractive.

"Hi," Freya awkwardly greeted, playing with her necklace nervously.

"Hi," he greeted back, smiling softly at her. "You look wonderful."

Freya stared at him, getting lost in his eyes.

Tell him he looks good, Freya cursed to herself.

"Thanks." She quietly smiled and noticed the flowers. "You got me flowers?"

"I did." He said and handed them to her. "Your favorites."

Freya frowned in confusion. "How'd you know?"

"Juliet told me." Chase gestured to Juliet and Freya looked at her with a flustered look.

"You're welcome." Juliet grinned and put her hands on Freya's shoulders. "Now, I'll take those and put them in a vase, while you two go have fun."

Juliet took the flowers and walked away. Bree gave her brother a look.

"Don't do anything stupid." Bree said and Chase rolled his eyes as Bree walked out of the house.

Cassandra gave her daughter a kiss on the temple. "Have fun, okay?"

"Okay," Freya replied in a small voice and Cassandra looked at Chase.

"Have her home by 9."

"No later then 8:45 will she be home." Chase smiled and Cassandra was impressed.

"Keep him." Cassandra whispered in Freya's ear, who blushed deeply.

Juliet stood in the kitchen, smiling at them. "Freya, be nice to him."

Chase chuckled, looking down bashfully.

"Being nice is not my thing." Freya replied, looking at her sister and then looking back at Chase. His smile made her heart flutter and she let out a heartfelt sigh. "But I'll be nice today."

Chase smiled back at her and offered his hand. "Shall we?"

Freya interlocked their fingers. "Yes."

——

After a 30 minute drive with Davenport, who was talking their ears off about how amazing this planetarium is, they arrived. Chase and Freya got it of the car and stood in front of the entrance, taking in the appearance of the building

"It's even better than I pictured." Chase smiled in awe.

"I agree." Freya agreed, before Chase grabbed her hand and the two walked to the entrance. Freya got the tickets scanned and they walked into the building.

Freya had been given a map of the planetarium, but she let Chase hold it. She knows he would figure out how to navigate the place without seconds.

They looked around the interior of the lobby and even the lobby was beautiful.

"Where should we go first?" Freya asked Chase, who looked at the map.

"The Space Theater is doing there Space Show in about thirty minutes, so we can go see that in a bit." Chase suggested.

Freya smiled at this. "Totally."

Freya was slightly relieved the can do see a show where they didn't have to talk. Freya feels way too nervous to talk. She would rather smack Chase and tease him, than flirt and kiss.

She would love to kiss him and hold him. But she doesn't do that. She punches him.

They looked around for a good twenty minutes, checking out famous asteroids, reading information about galaxies, famous stars, and other planets. Freya loved seeing Chase get so excited about astronomy.

That's the reason she got these tickets. So, she can see him her all giddy.

Chase had to talk Freya's ears off about everything around them. Freya had a smiled plastered on her face the whole time, she enjoyed every second he spoke.

"This is the longest I've talked without you hitting me." Chase mentioned as they walked down a hallway with pictures of famous rockets that have been in space.

"I did say I would be nice to you." Freya chuckled, nudging his arm softly.

"It's weird." Chase remarked. "But I like it."

Freya blushed and noticed their hands were still interlocked. His hand in hers felt normal, it was a comfortable feeling.

"Well, after today, I'll be back to punching you and making fun of you," Freya joked.

"Just how I like it," Chase grinned down at her and Freya laughed lightly. "Also, thank you for getting these tickets."

"Don't mention it." Freya shrugged. "It was Christmas. I wanted to be nice."

I wanted to see Chase get all giddy and be cute. Freya thought to herself. She blushed at her thought.

"Well, I'm appreciative of it." Chase remarked as they approached The Space Theater, which was getting filled quickly. Chase lead her inside and they found two empty seats in the back.

I want his arms around me and I want to lean my head on his shoulder as we watch the stars. Freya pressed her lips together, looking away. Oh my gosh, shut up Freya!

Freya looked around, trying to hide her blushing face.

"Freya?" Chase asked. "You okay?"

"Can we cuddle?!" Freya blurted out and she immediately covered her mouth. Her face was the color of the dark red seats.

WHAT THE HECK??

"What?" Chase asked, rubbing his neck with a blush.

"Nothing." She awkwardly coughed and looked away. Chase smiled and put his arm around Freya, whose eyes grew in shock.

"Yes, we can." Chase remarked, smirking at the flustered girl.

Maybe my big mouth isn't so bad. He is comfortable. Wow

Freya felt herself smile softly and she leaned her head against his shoulder. Chase gently rubbed her shoulder, which made her feel relaxed.

They stayed like that the whole show, occasionally sharing a smile or two. Both of them enjoyed the feeling of cuddling and watching the stars above them.

They felt perfect.

——

The Space Show was about 30 minutes long and Chase and Freya loved it. The show took the audience on an exhilarating journey to the far reaches of the solar system and back. It explores the similarities and differences between Earth and the other planets', in an immersive way only a wide-ranging visualization could pull off.

Chase and Freya walked out of the theater and walked down the Helibrunn Cosmic Pathway, which showcased a guide of the 13-million plus year history of the universe. Chase was already informing Freya every bit of information they saw and going into more detail.

She was smiling the whole time he as talking, not caring he was rambling. She liked how passionate he was it made her happy.

The pathway used photos, videos, text, and other media stations along the way to present guides to the developmental stages of the universe. The pathway even houses certain artifacts that lend a visceral sense of history to the exhibit. Freya was in awe of the area, finding absolutely fascinating.

With Chase, she felt safe enough to express how much she enjoyed it. With anyone else, she would show she doesn't care. But she feels most comfortable with Chase knowing he wouldn't judge her.

The two stopped in front of a giant wall covered with pictures made up of clusters of galaxies and stars. Freya found her self staring at the pictures, finding them beautiful, but Chase was staring right at Freya. He felt himself smiling at the sight of such a gorgeous girl enjoying something he loves so much. It only made him fall for Freya more.

Freya looked at Chase and he blushed, looking away. Freya chuckled softly, looking down.

"I'm having a great time." Chase admitted. "I get to talk about astronomy without anyone getting bored and telling me to shut up."

"Well, you're lucky this is something I enjoy too. Usually, I'd smack you, but today is special." Freya remarked and fiddled with her fingers, looking away. "Also, um... I'm sorry for what happened the other day."

Chase frowned. "What?"

"After Krane had kidnapped me and than I sort of... kissed you." Freya hesitantly answered and Chase blushed, nodding.

"Right." He said and the two sat in silence for a few seconds, before Chase continued. "Don't be sorry. I liked it."

Freya blushed and chuckled awkwardly. "You sure? Because I don't know why I did it. I can be so stupid sometimes and my brain was telling me to do it. But my brain doesn't always do the right thing-"

Freya stopped rambling when Chase turned her to face him, pulling her closer. His hands found her waist, holding her gently.

"I think you did the right thing." Chase softly said and Freya's hands found their way to his shoulders. Chase leaned down and connected their lips.

Freya kissed back, fully wrapping her arms around his neck. Both teens felt fireworks explode in their bodies and butterflies flutter everywhere.

The kiss only lasted a few more moments, before they pulled away to see blushing faces. Freya smiled brightly as Chase chuckled bashfully.

"No running away this time." Chase joked and Freya laughed.

"I could try." Freya teased. "But I really don't want to."

Freya's eyes softened and he moved his hands to connect with her hands. "Freya, listen, I really like you. Like more than friends."

Freya smiled brightly at this, feeling comfortable enough to admit her feelings. "I really like you too if that wasn't obvious."

"I know you have a bad history of relationships and issues with trust. But I would love to call you my girlfriend." Chase admitted.

YES!!! Freya was screaming on the inside.

"Chase." Freya sighed. "With what happened the other day with Krane, my brain has not been in the right place. I just don't think im mentally ready for a relationship. I really would like to, but I don't want it to affect us. Krane could-"

"Use it against us?" Chase finished and Freya nodded, looking away with guilt. "I understand. I wouldn't want Krane to do anything to you. It took everything out of me not to get to his warehouse myself when I saw you were tied up... but I think you're right."

"Just know, that I have never trusted someone so much before. Or allowed myself to be so vulnerable." Freya confessed. "You make me feel safe and I don't want to jeopardize that. I think we give it some time. I don't know how long, but we will know when it's right."

Chase nodded, listening to every word. "I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes."

"I'll wait for you too." Freya smiled and left a soft kiss on his cheek, making him blush. The two shared a tight embrace, enjoying the feeling of being in each others arms.

Chase squeezed her tighter, like he wouldn't ever let her get in harms way.

They slowly let go of one another and continued walking around the planetarium that had a sky full of stars.

——

Up Next: Three Minus Bree

What a cute date! It ended probably not the way you wanted, but I wanted them to be reasonable with it. A lot has happened and they are smart enough to not start a relationship when they have other things to focus on. I have an idea on what chapter they will get together, but I won't say.