It was a quiet day, the late fall breeze pulling ever so slightly through the trees, the sun cascading onto everything, blanketing the green hills with golden warmth. Tiny little flowers sprung up from the earth, sending little bursts of color onto the grass. The scene could only be described as serene, which was perfect for the event taking place.

"Are you sure you're ready to do this?"

Taurus escaped from her trance to look at her mother, who sat in the front seat of the car. Taurus pursed her lips, nodding slightly. "Yeah..." she trailed off, diverting her attention to the soft seat, running her finger through the little pieces.

Her mom smiled softly. "I know this might be hard for you. It's been 4 months, and seeing..."

Taurus' head snapped up instinctively. "Right." She bit her lip slightly, a habit that had formed in these past months. "I guess... I guess it'll be hard. But... I can cope, I think. The others, though, it's been... harder for them, since it's been, y'know, longer, for them that they've known..." Taurus trailed off awkwardly.

Taurus' mom looked back again, her eyes comforting. "I'm proud of you, honey. I mean it." She put her hand over Taurus', squeezing slightly. Taurus smiled once before turning back to the window to continue sightseeing.

After that fateful day when the school blew up and Mr. Stern - as called by his former name - had been stopped, the cops had come and evacuated everyone. About a dozen flashing lights atop sleek black-and-white cars stood in the parking lots. Worried parents had been parked around the cars, their faces wet from tears. They ran to their kids, a mix of hugging and crying, nobody bothering about the event that had led the kids to that state just yet. All the kids went home, and all the teachers went with the cops to the station.

Since Zodiac Academy had faced so much damage, all the kids were 'suspended' from the school until the school was fixed up. Most everyone went to the local public school, but Taurus decided against it. She wasn't ready to see those people who would remind her of the incidents she desperately wanted to forget. Not to mention, she wanted to cope with what Mr. Stern had done to....

Taurus shook the thought away.

The car veered left, turning into a road lined with more brightly colored trees. Taurus looked out the window, tapping slightly on the base of the transparent screen. An opening came into view, the car rolled into it. A wood sign was stuck into the ground, words scrawled onto it.

"Fallcrest Pointe. Daddy, are we at the place?"

Taurus' father nodded wordlessly from the driver's seat. Taurus gulped, biting her lower lip again.

The dirt road rolled on, leading into a miniature parking lot filled with other cars around her. They parked the car hastily, Taurus' father commenting about the hastily marked spot under his breath. The doors swung open as four people walked out into the cool air.

Taurus ran her hands down her dress consciously, the nerves scattered in her stomach feeling heavy. Taurus fingered the tail of her French braid, her pointer and thumb shifting to the golden hoops hanging from her ears.

"Don't be so conscious!"

Taurus' mom appeared from behind the van, a pumpkin pie in her hands. "I understand you're emotional, but you're a lovely, strong, young lady. You've already been through so much. This is the easy part. Trust me, Tau." She smiled a smile so warm, Taurus couldn't help but drop her hands, breathe in, and grin, giving her mom a brisk nod.

The family walked toward a large barn just feet away from the vehicles. The large door was cranked open, a man and woman standing at the side of the expansive entrance. As they approached the couple, they smiled, offering a warm greeting.

"Hello," Taurus' dad said, his hands squeezing her shoulders protectively "This is Taurus. We are here for-"

"Oh, honey!" The lady ran up to Taurus, wrapping her arms around Taurus. She pulled away and held Taurus at an arm's distance. "Thank you so much. You have done so much, you don't even know."

Taurus' mom walked up to the front. "You must be Ms. Thomas. We are so very sorry for your loss. This must all be so hard for you."

Mrs. Thomas smiled sadly, dabbing her eyes with a tissue she pulled out from her dress. "Why are you sorry? It's okay. At first, it was a bit hard without him at home. But it was for a good cause, and that's what counts. I'm glad he helped."

"Well, we all hope for the very best for you."

Wiping her eyes, the lady said, "Thank you very much. You can drop your pie off at the tables inside the barn. The ceremony will be taking place outside, so you can take a seat out there."

Taurus' parents smiled and thanked the couple, leading Taurus and her brother into the barn. "They seem nice!" Taurus' mom whispered once they were out of earshot of the Thomases, earning a sarcastic smirk and eye roll from their dad. "We'll see about that dinner." The other three snickered at Taurus' mom.

The smelled of pumpkins, baked goods, sugar, and ginger spice. They set the pie down at a long table with other such treats on it, then walked out the back door.

Sunlight hit Taurus in the face, making her wince and shield her face. As her eyes slowly adjusted, she surveyed her surroundings. A garden lay to the right, filled with an assortment of colorful flora. To the left was a large stage, decorated elegantly with white flowers along the top. A podium stood to the left on top of the stage, the head police officer behind it, her head tiled down, seemingly scanning the contents on top of the podium.

In front of the podium were rows of white chairs, mostly occupied. Twelve seats were arranged at the very front, set aside from the others. Almost all the seats were taken, ever-familiar kids in each of them. Taurus gulped nervously, averting her gaze.

And then the ground in front of the stage.

A white coffin sat, looking peaceful yet chaotic, a contradiction in itself. Sorrow, guilt, and horror slapped Taurus in the face all at once, tears immediately sprouting from her eyes.

"Oh my Gods, T!"

Taurus was attacked, pulled into a tight hug. "Aqua!" Taurus whispered, pulling her friend tighter. The tears came at full force now, running down her cheeks. Aqua pulled away and Taurus swiped her cheeks frantically, trying to clean her face. Her efforts were proven useless as she started sobbing again at the sight of Aqua.

"Ohmigosh, Taurus. You're crying!"

Taurus pulled the bottom of her dress and leaned forward, using the soft black cloth to clean her eyes. She forced a smile, shaking her head. "I'm okay. It's all good."

"You wore makeup!"

Eyes widening, Taurus asked, "Did it get smudged? Is it still on?"

Aqua giggled. "You look wonderful, Tau." Her expression changed suddenly, taking on a a rather... cynical look. "You trying to impress your man?"

Taurus reddened. "Shut up, Qua!" She chuckled awkwardly.

Aqua raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Sure, sure, whatever you say!" The girls laughed as they headed to their seats.

Taurus looked back to see her parents and brother walk out of the barn with the Thomas', then head to a set of chairs behind her. She turned to see the officer adjust the microphone on the podium and speak into it. "Hello everyone, please settle down. We will start in a bit now."

Taurus looked at the kids around her, waving at Pisces, Capricorn, Virgo, and even Gemini, who to Taurus' surprise, seemed genuinely friendly. The only person not present seemed to be Cancer. Taurus turned to ask Aqua, but was interrupted.

"Thank you everyone for coming here this morning." Immediately, everyone hushed and looked to the front.

"We are gathered here to remember and give a service to Mr. Blake Thomas, known to his classmates and friends as Aries." Sagittarius, who sat in the very front next to Aries' coffin began sobbing loudly.

"Aries died for a noble cause, to save his classmates and friends. As the head police officer, I can vouch for him, and that his efforts were not futile. We have captured a dangerous criminal who has been on the loose for years now. Thanks to this young fellow, we are once again, at peace."

The police officer began talking about Aries' - Blake's - childhood, his parents coming up and talking intermittently. They played home videos on the screen above the stage of Aries as a child, him growing up, him and Saggi, everything. As hard as Taurus tried to concentrate, she couldn't help but space out, her mind wandering to other things.

The service ended with some of Aries' family friends, his own family, and his close friends talking about him. As the crowd dispersed, Taurus looked to the front, finding herself hypnotized by the sight at the front. Aqua turned. "You coming?" She inquired.

Taurus nodded silently, her gaze not leaving the coffin. "Yeah. You go ahead, I'll join you in a second." She walked toward the front.

Inside the glass cover was a solemn face, expressionless and silent. He did not move, would not move, like a statue that would never breathe. Taurus pulled up a chair and sat next to it.

"Hey." She said. "Uh, I've never really done this 'cause I've never really known anyone who isn't here anymore, so... You know, forgive me if I screw this up.

"I never really knew you, but I kinda wish I did, considering you did so much and I didn't even know...

"I just hope you're happy, I guess. Because death is serious, and that's where you are, so I hope it's all... good for you.

"So I'll wrap this up really quickly. We all miss you a lot right now, especially Saggi. I think she's coping pretty well? Thank you so much for sacrificing yourself for us. I didn't even take five minutes to come talk to you, yet you gave up your life to me. And I know that's a selfish way of looking at things, but that's how I'm coping.

"So yeah. Stay, uh... happy up there or whatever. Thanks again."

Taurus looked up to see Aqua standing behind her, fresh tears streaming from her eyes. Taurus got up, squeezed her friend's shoulder, and walked to the barn.

The girls got food and sat at the chairs in the back, conversing with her fellow classmates and friends about the past 4 months' happenings. The adjustment had been hard, but everyone depended on each other, helping each other out. Taurus felt a small pang of awkwardness, everyone else seeming so close suddenly.

"Hey."

Taurus turned around to see a tall guy standing behind her, his blonde hair swept to the left, sporting a tux. All at once, Aqua coughed, looked at Pisces and the other girls sitting around her, and opened her mouth. "Hey guys, I want more pie, don't you guys too?" Mischief filled her eyes. Everyone nodded visibly, and walked toward the barn, leaving Taurus and Cancer alone.

"Uh... hi!" Taurus chirped. "Sit!" She motioned to the chair next to her, her heart fluttering in her chest as he took the chair next to her. "So, how have things been going?"

Cancer just looked at Taurus. "What?" Taurus asked, heat rushing to her cheeks. 

He smiled. "Not sure."

Taurus pressed her lips together. "Riiiight."

They sat there for a moment, drenching in awkwardness. "Uh... so..." Taurus started, trying to seal the barrier.

"You look really pretty."

A blush ran up Taurus' neck. "Uhhhh.... thanks. You, uh.. yeah , you do too."

Cancer grinned. "Listen, I, uh, I've only known you for like a month."

Taurus gasped. "It's only been a month that I've known y'all?" She chuckled softly. "Funny how much had happened in just weeks."

Cancer nodded, seeming inpatient. "Well, yeah, but I guess..." He seemed sort of shy, as if he was embarrassed or hesitant to say whatever he was going to. "I missed you for those four months," he blurted. "Which is crazy, because like I said, one month, and I don't even know your favorite color yet it's like, I don't even know..." He rambled on.

Taurus tucked a strand behind her ear. "I guess I understand," she said quietly.

Cancer took a deep breath. "All I'm trying to say is, maybe sometime we could meet somewhere and, I don't know, talk and get to actually knowing each other."

Taurus felt herself turn bright red. Was he asking her out on a date? She suddenly felt like one of those annoying, whiny, and oblivious girls from certain teen fiction books. Composing herself, she said, "Uh, who would come with.... us?" She hesitated on the last word.

"Maybe just... us two?"

At that moment, Taurus didn't care how cheesy this was, how whiny, awkward, and stupid she must've sounded. She just went with it, because maybe life could be there for her.

Taurus straightened up and looked Cancer in the eye. "Sure! Why not?"

"We're back!"

Taurus turned to see Aqua strutting toward her, a plate of pie in her hand, Gemini and Pisces following closely behind. Only Pisces and Gemini weren't alone. Gemini and McKenna spoke to each other, expressively gesturing. Pisces walked aside Scorpio, their hands locked, looking at each other almost gooey-eyed. At first glance, it seemed almost cringey, but the stark differences worked - Taurus decided they were kinda cute.

Upon seeing Gemini, Taurus froze. There she was, speaking publically to Cancer - would she go crazy? Breath held, Taurus watched as Gemini's line of vision went from her to him, him to her - and smiled? Waving, she plopped down on the seat next to Taurus. Gemini wiggled her eyebrows at Taurus. "Finally got with your guy?"

Red, Taurus gaped. Gemini smirked. "Someone's embarassed, are we?" Everyone laughed as if this was completely normal, leaving Taurus chuckling awkwardly - again.

Suddenly, Taurus turned to Pisces. "You and Scorpio, huh?"

Pisces giggled, bouncing in her seat. "Yeah, I've always wanted a dark, brooding type." Eyebrows furrowed, Taurus couldn't help but laugh. Bright, spunky, bubbly little Pisces with tall, dark, quiet Scorpio. Opposites truly did attract, didn't they?

Taurus turned to Cancer. "Hey, Cancer?" He looked up. "I still haven't forgiven you for what you called us girls."

Cancer, looking confused, asked, "Wait what? When?"

Taurus, giggling like a little girl, said, "Don't you remember? I know exactly what you said! I quote, 'You girls, so shallow about everything, not even caring about anything except friendship.' "

Everyone faux gasped. "Cancer, how dare you?!" The girls laughed.

Cancer gasped. "Hey, don't forget what you said! 'What about all you boys, not caring about anyone's feelings.' " He grinned boyishly.

Aquarius chimed in. "Aww, look at you two? Already fighting like a married couple!" Everyone laughed.

As the day went by, Taurus felt happier and happier, a feeling that grew in her heart. Somehow, she knew everything would be alright. She had her friends, and it was all great.

She could only thank the secrets of Zodiac Academy.