invisible string - TJ Morrison

The Jamaica trip had brought Astra that much needed break. Watching her niece and nephew playing together in the ocean with Grace, going out with her siblings for drinks, getting breakfast with her parents. It brought her some peace that she hasn't felt in over half a year, since she made the decision to date Ethan, and she doubts she will feel again for a long time.

Now, sitting with her earbuds in, next to her sister-in-law Grace and across from her parents, sister, niece and nephew at the airport, she couldn't help but smile at the rest of her family. She would give anything for just one more week here, where her physical therapy, Cal's leukemia, and Michaela's engagement didn't exist, where they could all just find peace.

Which is why when she took an earbud out and heard what the flight attendant said, she couldn't help but say yes.

"All passengers for Flight 537 to New York, John F. Kennedy Airport, your attention, please. This flight is oversold. We are offering travel vouchers in the amount of $400 for anyone willing to take a later flight."

"Yes please" Astra said, standing up, grabbing her crutches and beginning to head up to the desk at the gate. She received a look from her mother that seemed to disapprove of her staying but she needed the extra couple hours.

"Yes. That's me." She heard Michaela say shortly after she did, undoubtedly receiving that same look from their mother that she did. When Michaela caught up with her in their walk to the desk, she decided to give her opinion on the conversation that she heard the 27 year old and her mom having earlier.

"Look Mick, I think that if your taking this voucher to get an extra couple of hours to decide whether to say yes to Jared, you already have your answer." She said, hoping that the look she was giving her would convey her to understand what she was trying to say.

"Yeah Astra, I think your right. I just don't know what I'm going to say. How do I even begin to tell him no? And what is everyone else going to say. You heard mom, she said this family needs something to celebrate, maybe I should just give it to them." Michaela replied, looking more stressed than ever.

"Just don't even think about what anyone else is saying, this decision needs to be based on your feelings only. Not mom's, dad's, Ben's, mine. Just yours." Astra replied, giving Michaela's hand a squeeze as she smiled back.

Despite the 9 year age gap, the sisters had always had a close bond. Michaela was always looking out for Astra, making sure that Astra had become that perfect daughter that Michaela had strived yet failed to be. And Astra had always had Michaela's back, despite disapproving of many of her outings and ideas. Nonetheless, the girls loved and would do anything for each-other.

She didn't know if she could say the same for her brother Ben, who she saw coming up behind them with Cal. She loved him of course, but that relationship had always been strained. Ben never really felt the need to bother much with his 15 years younger sister while she was growing up, and now despite her being 18 and in her first year of college, he still seemed to think of her as a child. She tended to keep a bit of distance between them whenever the family was together, not usually in the mood for their awkward conversations in which he never seemed to know what to talk to her about. His wife, Grace, was an absolute angel though. She has always welcome Astra into their house, constantly checked up on her, and had somehow been the first one to the hospital after the accident. In ways, she has become the second older sibling Ben never was and Astra could not be more thankful for her.

As everyone got their voucher's she decided to start a conversation with Ben. "Grace and Olive aren't going too?" She asked, although she already knew the answer, one that he probably wouldn't have even realized.

"Yeah, but this is our next trip down to the Mayo Clinic, we need this." Ben replied, already looking annoyed. Astra couldn't help but wonder how Ben didn't see it. That Grace was always struggling to get Cal's attention while Cal wanted Ben's. That Grace was probably pissed that she was losing just a bit more of Cal's limited time. But she would never say anything. That wasn't who Astra was. Grace was a strong women and would bring it up when it was time. Astra gave a restrained smiled and a nod as she began to walk away back to her luggage.

As soon as she got back her mom immediately engulfed her into a hug. "Wow Mom- Jesus- ok"Astra said, repeatedly getting cut off as she hugged tighter and tighter, and finally let go, and looking at her with a smile. Astra knew that her mom could tell that she was struggling at the moment. She always knew when she needed a hug or a pep talk or a reminder that people loved and supported her. And recently that had been almost always, as she continued to cope with what had happened. Astra herself hadn't even realized that her mood had begun to down the closer they got to leaving as her thoughts turned more and more towards the past.

"Remember honey, all good things" Her mom said to her, quoting her favorite bible verse, one that Astra had been struggling with recently.

"I know mom, I love you" Astra replied, becoming anxious to sit down as her leg started to ache.

"I love you too, I'll see you in a couple hours." Her mother replied, giving her a look that told her that she could tell her leg was hurting. Astra just smiled, trying to reassure her that she was fine, as she moved on to hugging the rest of the family.

Once she got to hugging Grace, she whispered in her ear, "Ben won't know anything unless you tell him Grace, don't worry though, you guys will figure this out, you always do". Grace pulled away to smile and give Astra a side hug.

"Thanks Astra, I hope your right" she whispered as she walked back to Ben.

Olive ran up to Astra, grabbing on to her as Astra hugged back.

"Why didn't you go with us Astra, now i'm stuck with a bunch of old people" she looked up at Astra and asked.

"Olive", Astra replied as she laughed, "Your mom is not old and it's just a couple hours". Astra had always been close with the twins as well. They we're only 7 years younger than her and she has always been the designated babysitter as they grew up. She could tell that Olive looked up to her and despite it being hard recently, she always tried to be as good as a role model as she could for her.

"Alright fineeee" Olive replied, dragging out the e. "You need to let me do your make up now though when you get back."

"Deal." Astra replied, watching as Olive smiled and ran over to Cal, most likely telling him about the deal she had just made. Grace had just started to let Olive mess around with make up and she apparently decided that she needed a test subject.

Eventually, the rest of her family had left to get on the plane, leaving Michaela, Ben, Cal, and Astra, sitting at the gate, waiting for flight 828. Funny how what seems like such a normal decision can become both the worst and best one of your life.

authors note:
my apologies for not writing yesterday, i was at six flags and absolutely dead when i got home.
anyways i'm planning on trying to do like up to 3 chapters for episode but hopefully less than that. this one just is a lot because i have to like introduce Astra and her relationships with everyone, but i'll obviously build on them as the story goes on.

also props to fan fic writers this is so much work like damn you have all my respect

anyways tj obviously won't fully be in the story until season 2 but i'm going to try and throw in easter eggs and little appearances.i hope you all continue to read tho because Astra is very much an icon. she's a little quiet and to herself rn but trust me she will definitely become an outspoken and confident person as the story progresses.

also thanks to anyone who's read. ik tj is like a very not well known character and manifest isn't incredibly popular like outer banks or stranger things so idk if people will even find this book but thanks to the people that do :)