Page 165 of Should Our Stars Collide

Most people, one way or another, end up carrying a significant dose of resentment post breakup. A special few stay friends, especially if they’d been friends to begin with, but honestly? Kieran doesn’t strike him as level-headed where emotions are involved. Definitely not as someone who would break up amicably.

Could it be…his partner passed away? That would explain a lot. Apart from the fact that whenever Ash has looked into his mind, he never bumped into a memory of a significant other. He’s seen a blonde girl about Kieran’s age flicker by, once or twice, but given the context of those thoughts it’s unlikely she’s the person in question.

“What happened?” Ash asks quietly, preparing for the worst and stitching together some words of comfort.

A muscle jumps in Kieran’s cheek. Exhaling through his mouth, he turns his head towards Ash.

“The timing wasn’t right.”

The vague explanation leaves Ash with even more questions, but he keeps them to himself. If Kieran wanted to tell him more, he would. He usually doesn’t shut up, so talking is definitely not an issue.

“That’s a shame.”

“It’s okay. What’s meant to be will be.”

How…unexpectedly wise from him. And also, why does it sound like a challenge? Like he’s somehow referring to Ash, tothem?

You’re just feeling guilty. Don’t look into it too much.

That’s easier said than done. Something about Kieran makes him question every single thing.

He turns his gaze back to the sky, saying the first random thing that pops into his head.

“Do you look up and wonder if aliens are watching us?”

“Is that what you do?” Kieran asks, voice lighter, laced with amusement.

“I used to, when I was little.” He swears he can taste the skepticism in the air. “Okay, I still do.” He’s always felt like an alien, like he should live on another planet.

The confession draws a beautiful laugh out of Kieran, the sound of it making Ash smile wide.

“Hm…I don’t care about aliens. Unless Sigourney Weaver is slaying them.”

Ash files Kieran’s movie preferences away for future reference, then berates himself for even considering a future involving Kieran.

“What do you care about?”

The space between Kieran’s brows furrows, as though he’s never before asked himself that question. It takes a while before he answers.

“When I was little, I believed there was a star in the sky for everyone. I used to look up and wonder which one was mine. And what wouldhappen if two stars collided. What if my star collided with someone else’s?”

To most people, this would probably sound like a cute story. That’s not what Ash hears, though. All he can see is Kieran as a child, looking up at the sky and feeling so lonely that even the stars millions of light years away felt closer than the people around him.

It takes everything he has not to reach over and hold his hand.

“Did you ever find out?”

“Yeah.”

It’s not the answer Ash was expecting. And it makes him wonder if they’re still talking about the same person. The one who didn’t come at the right time. It sounds like Kieran is still waiting for them—for the right time.

So why is he even wasting time with Ash?

“So? What happened?”

Their eyes meet, and Kieran’s lips curve up into a small, breathtaking smile.

“Something really fucking amazing.”