Jaden woke up at 9 o'clock in the morning. Or, at the very least, Gemini woke him up. Today, it was different though. Today, Aquarius woke him up.

Aquarius shook Jaden out of bed. Jaden day up and rolled his eyes. At the moment, Jaden and Aquarius couldn't communicate very well. Charades and expressions were as good as it got.

"Listen, I hate waking up, too, but you gotta be at Virgo's in an hour," Aquarius told the boy.

Jaden rolled his eyes and picked out a shirt. He put it down and signed, "Aunt Gem is way too good for you."

Aquarius grimaced. He had been trying to learn sign language since he had arrived, but Jaden's hands moved so fast it was hard to keep up. "I recognize Aunt and Gem. That's all I've got, but I promise I'm working on it."

Jaden wanted to snort, but didn't want to be rude. "You're going to leave just like everyone else."

"Leave!" Aquarius shouted in glee. "I recognize that word. You have to leave for Virgo's soon? Yeah, I'll let you get dressed."

Jaden stared after the guy whom he deemed an idiot. A prince who couldn't communicate with all of his people? It seemed foolish. Why be in a place of power at all if you can't use it to educate yourself and others? All the same, Jaden pulled on a long-sleeved gray shirt with trousers and went downstairs.

The bakery smelled delightfully of freshly baked everything. It was Jaden's safe place. He loved everything about it. He loved the way that the baked goods smell would fill up the bakery air just before it opened. He loved the way that the yellow walls were slightly faded but still vibrant. He loved the way each window glistened in the sunlight. He loved how each table would soon be inhabited by someone new, someone he's never met.

He loved how, in the morning, Gemini's hair was well brushed. How she didn't have a single flour stain on her face. He loved how every morning he would get a croissant. He loved how Gemini would always give him a big hug before he left. He loved when Aries came over and squeezed him even tighter.

That's when he saw Gemini. Her blonde hair was nearly brushed and clipped out of her face. Her face was clear of any baking ingredients. Her apron was freshly washed. Not many got a chance to see her this organized.

"Hey, Jaden," Gemini greeted him. "You're croissants' on the table."

"Thanks, Aunt Gem," Jaden said with a smile.

The two of them sat down together and started to eat. The bakery opened in half an hour, so they had a little time before Gemini had to work.

"I'm sorry I couldn't wake you up this morning," Gemini said, shoveling food into her mouth. "I got really busy with this new recipe I'm trying."

"Its okay, Aunt Gem. But Aqua isn't very good at waking me up," Jaden protested.

"He's still learning about it all," Gemini assured him. "Aquarius is doing good in my sign language class, though."

"He's only been understanding every three words I sign," Jaden reminded her.

Gemini sighed and leaned back in her chair. "It's not exactly an easy language. No language is. You've gotta cut him some slack."

Jaden pouted. This guy came into their home without good reason or warning. Jaden didn't care if he was friend or foe. Jaden wanted Aquarius out.

"Here, I'll take your plate," Gemini said, grabbing both her and Jadens plate. Jaden thanked her. The moment she turned her back, Jaden rose his hands to say some forbidden words about Aquarius.

"If you sign those words, you're grounded for a month," Gemini told him. Jaden lowered his hands. "Anyways, Aquarius is taking you to Virgo's today, so be good. Sign slowly."

Jaden rolled his eyes, but nodded. He didn't like Aquarius for one main reason: He was dating Gemini. Jaden didn't think Aquarius was good enough for her or who she belonged with. In a lot of ways, Gemini was his sister. He didn't want to see her end up with a prince who was bullshitting his way through life.

I mean, that's what the author is doing, but she's really another story altogether.

Anyways, Aquarius walked downstairs in his plain shirt and jeans and smiled. "You ready to go, bud?"

Jaden nodded and grabbed a bag. The two of them headed out into the streets. Virgo's shop was only two blocks away due to how close Gemini and Virgo's shops are on the kingdom line.

On one side of the street we're peoples houses. Lights only just being lit up, people waking up after sleeping in. Smells of pancakes wafted into the air. On the other side, we're shops. There were clothing stores, grocery stores, book stores, and so much more.

Aquarius enjoyed every second of his time looking around, but for Jaden, this wasn't new to him. He was used to everything on these streets. He knew that Mrs Foster had five cats, each with a 'C' name. He knew Mr Burgundy fought in the army back in his day. He knew that little Sasha would wander from her parents daily.

"Hello, Jaden," said an old woman with graying hair. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Mrs Foster," signed Jaden, "Hows Callie? Is she still sick?"

"That old cat? She beat that sickness out of her," Mrs Foster reassured him. "You best be on your way. Bye, now!"

"Woah," Aquarius said in awe. "You really know everyone around here."

Jaden nodded. "I've lived here my whole life."

"Lived here? Life? You've lived here your entire life?" Aquarius guessed.

Jaden nodded. Maybe this prince wasn't so bad. He didn't have much time to mull it over because they had finally gotten to Virgo's. At the door stood Jack, waiting. He waved happily when he first saw Aquarius and Jaden. He and Jaden had become best friends over the past couple of weeks, and it was one of the reasons Jaden liked going to Virgo's so much.

"Hey, man," Jack said, "what's up?"

"Nothing but the sky," Jaden replied.

"I know, it's the perfect delivery day," Jack mentioned. "There's not a cloud in the sky and it's fairly warm outside."

Jaden nodded and laughed. "Let's go see Virgo."

"Sure," Jack agreed. "He's got some chick in there. They're friends, I think."

"Who doesn't love a new friend?" Jaden asked with raised eyebrows.

"Exactly," Jack replied, playfully punching his friend.

Jack was fluent in sign language. Back home, in Flammae, his mother was deaf and mute. She couldn't say a word, which was a problematic state in such a horrible kingdom. Perhaps it was fate that Jaden and him befriended each other. But Jaden didn't believe in such silly things. Fate was for fools with hope for a future. Gemini taught him that working hard was the only way to sculpt a future.

Jack waved Jaden inside, where the two looked around to see Cancer and Virgo. Cancer was wearing a silky blue dress that gave off causally rich vibes. Like AirPods, but medieval. Virgo wore a nice sweater vest over a button up shirt. His glasses had a glint on them coming from the door.

"I'm telling you, she likes you," Cancer argued quietly.

Virgo scoffed in return. "Platonically, Maybe."

"Nope. As in crushing hard," Cancer spat back.

"It's not like she's you or Gem, where I can go and have a normal conversation," Virgo said. "She's royalty. What can I do? Ask her on a date?"

"That's pretty much what Aqua did!" Cancer said in exasperation.

"That's different," Virgo stated.

"How so?" Cancer asked.

"For one thing, he's not engaged," Virgo started, "and he doesn't live two kingdoms away."

"You and I both know that neither of them want to be engaged," Cancer told him.

Jaden pulled Jack behind a bookcase so they could eavesdrop some more.

"Why is that, anyways?" Virgo asked her.

Cancer thought for a moment. "Libra's a naturally rebellious kid. But I think she had a thing for Taurus before they became sisters. But Pisces has had a thing for Gemini for a while now, but everyone knows he belongs with Aries."

"You're not wrong," Virgo stated. "It's pretty obvious that Gemini and Aqua are a thing. What about you and Scorpio?"

"Oh, no, we're not—" Cancer mumbled out.

"I'm sure you aren't. But I see the way she looks at you," Virgo stated simply.

Virgo walked away, leaving Cancers mouth open. He suddenly called around the bookstore, "Jack? Jaden? I know you're here. There's a bell on the door."

Jack And Jaden slowly came out from their hiding place and into the window light. They smiled guiltily and Jaden waved.

"You boys have a lot of deliveries to make today," Virgo told them, piling up books. "Why don't you put these into your little cart?"

"Sure, Virgo," Jack said, going up to get some. Jaden nodded and followed. Each grabbed a bunch in their hands.

"And don't forget to say hello to our special guest," Virgo reminded them.

Jack replied with, "Hey, Cancer." Jaden smiled at her widely. He couldn't wave or sign with his hands full.

The two lugged the boxes of books out to the front. Out stood a wooden shopping cart with for metal wheels on the ends. It was mahogany with a shiny finish. At the end of one side read, 'Jaden and Jack's Delivery Cart.' Occasionally, someone from another shop would pay them to make some deliveries. Today, though, was just the bookstore.

Jack grabbed hold of the cart handle. He usually pushed so that he and Jaden could talk to one another, which Jaden couldn't do if his hands were preoccupied.

"There's a lot of drama going around," Jack mentioned. "Funny How Virgo And Gemini are in the midst of it all."

Jaden nodded. "Not just them. There's ten others, I think."

"Twelve people in the middle of a war. What are the odds?" Jack asked, shaking his head.

"It's even weirder that we know all of them," Jaden agreed.

"Let's recount. There's Aries, your brother. Pisces' best fried and personal escort. He's also totally in love with Pisces," Jack started.

"There's that Taurus girl, who seems more defiant than most. Libra's stepsister And now princess of Flammae," Jaden added on.

"There's Gemini, who Pisces is in love with, but Aquarius was a better fit. She's also Aries and yours' sister practically," Jack continued.

"And Cancer who's Scorpios lady and waiting and definite crush. From what we just heard, at least," Jaden kept going.

"Don't forget the awesome war general Leo who's been kicking ass in every kingdom recently," Jack replied. "I aspire to be like her when I grow up."

"And Virgo who accidentally got pulled in by Gem and Aries," Jaden kept going.

"And Libra who's being forced into marriage when I think she likes Virgo," Jack replied.

"Scorpio who's your awesome queen and got dragged into this war by Commetes," Jaden added.

"And Sagittarius, the weak war general who's no match for the fabulous Leo!" Jack yelled proudly.

Jaden laughed. "And Capricorn, the other general who's no match for Leo. But I think he likes her from what I've heard from Aries."

"We're such gossips. Oh, and don't forget Aqua who got out of an arranged marriage, is dating Gem, and living with you guys," Jack added.

"Plus Pisces, who's in an arranged marriage, likes Gem, belongs with Aries, And could be the next Taylor Swift," Jaden told him.

"Hey, it's getting late. We've got one more book to drop off, then we gotta get home," Jack mentioned.

Jaden nodded. After getting back to Virgo's, they noticed Aquarius outside, looking worried.

"We've gotta get home," Aquarius said. "Pisces is there. He said it's urgent."

——/

IM SORRY ITS BEEN SO LONG. TEACHERS HAVE BEEN OVERLOADING US WITH WORK BC OF MIDTERMS, AND SWIM IS A FULL TIM JOB AT TBIS POINT. Anyways, some fun stuffs coming up and bc I don't know when it'll come out, here's the next chapter title: A Realize-gay-tion. See you on the Flip side, y'all.