Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 108

Chapter 108 The Famous Cousin 

Ava saw her break down all of a sudden and looked helplessly at Margaret. 

Margaret hurried over and held her. “Jane, take Ava to freshen up her makeup. I’ll stay with 

Yara.” 

Ava followed Jane to another room, feeling heavy–hearted. “I wish Grandpa were still around.” 

Jane comforted her. “Ava, don’t put pressure on yourself. No one wanted to see things end up this way between Great–Uncle Patrick and Grandma Yara. I heard from the elders that when Grandma Yara was a little girl, she used to follow Great–Uncle Patrick everywhere. Yara’s family, the Harts, had been close friends of the Morrens for decades. On her first birthday, during the grab ceremony, they said Grandma Yara wasn’t interested in anything else–she just grabbed Great–Uncle Patrick’s hand and wouldn’t let go.” 

“When they grew up to be teenagers, Grandma Yara confessed her feelings to Great–Uncle Patrick, but he never said yes. No one knows what happened between them later on. They never admitted to anything, but everyone just took it for granted that they were together. The year the alien army invaded, there was a huge war. Both my grandpa and Great–Uncle Patrick went to the front, but in different places. When the war was finally over at where my grandpa was, he found out that Great–Uncle Patrick had gone missing.” 

“Grandma Yara couldn’t accept it. She went around telling everyone Great–Uncle Patrick was still alive. People said she was in denial. Grandma Yara waited twenty years, but there was never any news about Great–Uncle Patrick. Years went by, and even the Morrens eventually accepted that he was gone and put up a memorial for him at home. After that, Grandma Yara left Capitol Planet. She hardly ever came back. I only met her once when I was little.” 

Jane squeezed her cousin’s hand. “I guess she couldn’t hold it together after seeing you this time. Don’t let it scare you.” 

Ava shook her head. “I’m not scared. I just… feel sorry for them…” 

Ava calmed herself down, fixed her makeup, and covered all traces of tears. Only then did she follow Jane back to the main hall. 

“Ava!” 

Ava had just stepped into the hall when she heard a familiar voice. 

Lianne ran over and grabbed Ava’s hand, beaming. “Ava, why did you keep this from me? I just found out you’re my—” 

Ava squeezed her hand and cut her off before she could say those two words. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was him at first. It wasn’t on purpose. Later, I just didn’t know how to tell you.” 

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Lianne smiled. “All right, I forgive you.” 

Jane greeted Lianne and glanced at the other girls standing nearby. “Ava, come on, let me introduce you to some friends.” 

Ava let Lianne take her arm and followed Jane through the crowd. “Let me introduce you. Mireya DuPont, Roxy Ledger, and Caela Lyndhurst.” 

The three ladies Jane called out were huddled together, talking. When they heard Jane, they stopped. “Jane…” 

Jane smiled and introduced, “This is my cousin, Ava Morren. And this is Lianne Mercer.” 

“Wow, so you’re Jane’s famous cousin! You’re even prettier than the rumors, Ava. I’m Roxy.” The girl named Roxy had striking pink hair and sparkling peach–colored eyes. She was tall— actually taller than Jane by a couple inches. 

“Nice to meet you, Roxy. I’m Ava.” Ava nodded. 

“Roxy, you’re so tall. I’m really jealous.” Lianne looked up at her, eyes 

full of envy. 

Roxy was instantly won over by Lianne’s sweet voice and gave her a big hug. “Lianne, you look just like a doll, and your voice is so cute. I’m so lucky that I get to meet two such beautiful girls today.” 

Unexpectedly, Roxy lifted Lianne and spun her around. 

Caught off guard, Lianne let out a cry of surprise. 

Caela put a hand to her forehead, exasperated. “Roxy, can you pay attention to the occasion? At least try to keep it together when everyone is around.” 

Mireya shrugged. “You’ve known her forever. Don’t be fooled by her elegant name—her actions are a whole different story.” 

After they finished, they greeted Ava, and she greeted them back. 

Roxy let go of Lianne and patted her hair, then looked at her friends. “Are you gossiping about me with Ava?” 

Jane laughed. “We’re saying you’re way too friendly!” 

Lianne blushed. “I agree. I like Roxy.” 

The girls chatted for a bit, and after a few minutes, Jane said, “There are a lot of guests today, so we can’t keep chatting with you. Make yourselves at home. Ava and I will slip away for now.” 

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