It’s the next morning and Aster was sound asleep when suddenly she woke when someone suddenly jumped on her bed. It was Jena who was smiling from ear to ear.
“Wake up sleepy head. It’s time for breakfast!” she giggles and hopes to get a reaction.
Aster was as emotionless as she was yesterday, “Is there something that you need?”
Jena was disappointed. “Well, I want to hangout with you and Lara and go to other places. You know, just like what we always used to do.”
“I see, I will give time for both of you so we can hang out.”
Jena sighed “You don’t sound enthusiastic.”
“I am enthusiastic, you just can’t see it.”
Jena was not impressed at her blatant lie. “Sure, whatever. Let’s go eat,” she got out of the bed and went straight to the kitchen without waiting for Aster.
Aster gets ready before going to the dining room, there waiting for her were Jena and Lara. “Aster, good morning!” Lara greeted her with a big smile.
“Good morning.”
“Can’t you be more energetic?”
“I am energetic.”
“Yeah right. How about you go eat with us now?” Jena was trying her best not to confront the fake Aster.
Aster joined the two of them. “Before we eat, let’s pray.”
“I’ll do the prayers!” Lara said happily.
“No, how about you do it, Aster?” Jena looked at Aster smiling, she’s trying to get whatever information about her even what she believes in.
Aster nodded, she did a sign of a cross and started praying. Jena was disappointed since she was really looking forward to knowing what she will do differently.
“It seems like she did her research. But still, I know you will slip up sooner or later.”
After Aster was done eating “Let’s eat,” they all started eating.
“Who are you? I know you are not Aster. Where did you take the real Aster?”
Jena is determined to know the truth about this fake. “By the way, Lara, after you are done with school why don’t the three of us go shopping? You in?” She looked at Lara.
Lara becomes excited. “I’m in!” She raised her arm in agreement.
Lara and Jena continue to talk while Aster just stays quiet. Jena notices this,
“This fake Aster is bad at doing its job. Just you wait. I’ll find out who you really are and find the real Aster.”
Time goes by and Lara is back from school, she, Jena and Aster went to a mall as they planned. The three of them bought clothes, ate, and overall just went out together. Lara and Jena are enjoying themselves except Aster. She was quiet most of the time and rarely talked to them.
“How about you get home for now? Me and Lara are going to more places. You can stay at home and get some rest, okay?” Lara smiles at Aster.
“Why are you sending me home?” Aster wonders.
“Cuz since we left, you rarely talk to us and you seem unwell. Don’t worry, we can still all go some other time. Don’t overdo yourself, okay?”
“You’re right, she doesn't seem well. Why don’t we all just go home together,” Lara said with a worried expression.
Aster shook her head. “Don't spoil your fun because of me. The two of you should continue your day without me.”
“Are you sure Aster?” Lara holds her hand.
“Yes. Please have fun without me, I promise next time I’ll join you both properly.”
“Okay…”
Aster kissed Lara on her forehead before leaving.
“Maybe we should have followed her. What if something happens to her on the way?” Lara looked at Jena with a concerned look.
Jena gathered all her courage and kneeled in front of her. “Lara, listen to me very carefully and promise me you won’t tell Aster,” she looked at her seriously.
“Is there something wrong?
“Yes, there is. The one that we just had interaction with is Aster.”
“What do you mean?” Lara was confused.
“That was an impostor pretending to be Aster, your sister, my best friend.”
Lara was confused. “What do you mean? How is she an impostor?”
“I’m sure you notice how her actions are different from what she usually does, right?”
Lara still feels doubtful. “Yeah but what if she’s just unwell?”
“I understand that you want to give her the benefit of doubt but I am telling you that is not Aster. Please believe me.”
“If that is not my sister then who is she?”
“I don’t know but as much as I don’t want to leave you in her care we have no choice but to pretend that we don’t notice anything. Do you understand?” She holds Lara around her shoulder.
“Can’t I just stay with you for a while?” Lara starts to tear up in fear.
“I want to but I can't.”
“Why not?”
“Because that might tip her off that we know she is not the real Aster. And we might get in danger because of that. So please Lara, stay strong and try your best not to show any fear or doubt when you're talking to her.”
“Okay…” Lara starts crying.
Jena gently shushes Lara while wiping her tears using her hand. “It’s alright, everything's going to be alright, hopefully."
That night, Jena and Lara returned. Even though Lara doesn’t want to go inside Jena insists that she does. “Remember what I told you. Don’t let her know. Okay,” Jena said in a low voice.
Lara just nodded and they both went. Aster was in the living room watching tv when she noticed them. “You two are back. How’s your day? Did you two have fun?”
“Y-yes,” Lara tries to be optimistic but fails to do so.
Aster noticed Lara’s nervousness. “Is she alright?”
“She got a tummy ache earlier but she’s fine now,” Jena tries to cover up Lara’s fear. “How about you? Are you okay now?”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine now. Thank you.”
“If you two need anything I’m always here to help!” Jena smiles and flexes her one arm while holding it with the other.
“I will remember that. Lara you must be tired. Do you want me to tuck you in?” Despite Aster not showing emotion she seems to really care. This made Lara let her guard down.
“Can you also read me a bedtime story?”
“Sure. What story do you want?”
“Alice in Wonderland!” Lara said joyfully.
“But Alice in Wonderland isn’t really a bedtime story. Wait, is she trying to use that story to gain info on her? Smart girl.”
Jena smiles at Lara.
“Okay.” The three of them went to Lara’s bedroom.
Aster put Lara to bed, “We don’t actually own any Alice in Wonderland book but I’ll tell you the story from memory.”
“Okay.” Lara
“I wanna listen too!” Jena
In the bedroom Lara was in her bed. Aster and Jena sat beside her and Aster started telling the story.
“Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Alice. She was playing in the garden when she saw a white rabbit and she followed it to the rabbit hole. Alice looked at the rabbit hole then she fell. The next thing she knew was that she's in another world.”
Jena suddenly got a hint and gasped.
“Another world. That’s it! The real Aster is in another world! Not only there’s a fake Aster but also we are dealing with potential other worldly beings. Oh Aster. Where are you? I hope you're alright.”
“The end.”
“Aster, do you think we can go to another world? I wanna see a big fluffy bunny!” Lara raised both her arms in the air happily.
“If the other world is not dangerous then sure,” Aster patted Lara’s head.
“How dangerous is the other world?” Lara asked.
“Forget what I said, go to sleep now. You have class tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
Aster humms a lullaby and soon Lara falls asleep. She and Jena left the room quietly trying not to disturb Lara.
“I will leave now. See you tomorrow, Aster.” Jena hugged her before leaving.
Aster went to her room but she did not turn on the lights and just sat on the chair at her study desk.
“You’re not doing well at pretending to be her,” said someone hiding in the shadows.
“I am doing my best,” Aster replied without turning her back to the mysterious person.
“Clearly you are not. Jena notices the difference. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew you’re not her.”
“Then why don’t you pretend instead? I only know little about humans.”
“Then create an illusion. Make it seem like you are having a natural reaction. Disguise your reaction with illusion. We may not fully understand humans but we still can use our head to think and plan on what to do next. You are intelligent, use it and don’t act like a fool.”
Aster was just silent.
“Do your job properly. Do not ruin the plan,” after leaving that comment, the mysterious person vanished.
“What if I want to ruin the plan,” she said to herself and went straight to the bed and sleeping like everything was normal.