AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The skills competition had come, and the space looked completely different from its normal appearance. I never understood how the girls did it, but between River, Sienna, and Hayley with help from some of the shifters, they always managed to pull it off.
Live music carried through the grounds as I entered, amazed by it all. Various obstacle courses and skill-testing events were set up, along with sparring rings, food stands, and the stage where the band played.
Even if I had been to several of the competition days before, it never ceased to amaze me. Even if Rose Valley was a small town, the turnout was always incredible. I never found it within myself to participate before, but after everything that went on in the last few months, I decided this year would be different.
I had spent my free time reading handbooks, practicing basic spells, and trying my hardest to improve my divination, which still seemed abysmal. But I was optimistic anyway.
I blended into the hustle and bustle well enough, dressed in comfortable athletic wear.
It didn’t take long for me to run into the one person who had been plaguing my mind for the last week. Griffin was there on the path, looking at me like he had seen a ghost. I couldn’t help but feel the same thing.
Part of me hoped he would keep moving, but he approached, looking determined.
“Sara,” he said, seeming to try and grasp the right words.
“Griffin,” I murmured back, still apprehensive about him after what happened with Noah, even if my thoughts had been torn ever since.
He sighed. “I’m sorry for being overbearing before, and for not saying anything sooner. I shouldn’t have waited this long.”
Interested in what he had to say, I remained quiet and listened. It looked like he had more to get off his chest.
“I’ve been high-strung lately, and I think there’s something we need to talk about,” he said, sounding somewhat strained. “Something about us.”
As much as I didn’t want to just give in to him, I knew he was right. I was curious, and I couldn’t deny that.
Staring up at him, those feelings came rushing back, and I didn’t know what to do with them. Griffin was so naturally beautiful, and his presence alone was enough to make me question shutting him out altogether.
While I stood by my decision to call off the fake relationship, seeing him reminded me of the effortless spell he was able to put me under. Like a hold he had on me, regardless of whether I wanted it or not.
It was difficult to resist that desire to touch him and to be the center of his attention. He made me feel so fulfilled and worthy when we hooked up, and something in me wanted that to be a long-term thing.
As much as I wanted to put everything behind us and hash it out there, it wasn’t the place. Not while even more people were pouring into the fairgrounds and getting ready for the competitions.
Getting a grip on myself, I didn’t waver. “Another time would be better.”
Griffin’s eyes seemed to take me in completely as he considered my words, likely wondering if it was worth causing a scene.
Those eyes were impossible to look away from, even if the circumstances made me feel at least somewhat intimidated beneath his gaze. It made me want to squirm, but I forced myself not to succumb to that reflex.
Our eye contact held as we tried to decide our next move on the fly, but Griffin moved first as he clenched his jaw. The movement was so quick that I almost missed it.
“I won’t disagree with that,” he said at last, seemingly shaking the daze from his features.
While I wasn’t entirely sold on his apology, there was just something about him that made me want to reach out and caress his face. To continue the day cheering for him as he competed. But there was still that unsettled air between us that needed to be put to rest first.
Even if his eyes looked particularly stormy and his dark hair perfectly tousled, I had to resist him long enough to prove my point. To see if he was willing to do whatever it took to make amends.
Griffin cleared his throat and hiked a thumb behind him. “Anyway, I should get to my first event before they start without me. Good luck today.”
“You too,” I said simply, still feeling tense even as he went to turn away. His stare lingered for another drawn-out moment before he returned his focus to the task at hand.
My heart squeezed all the while he walked away, secretly hoping things weren’t finished for us. As much as it felt like an instinct to give up on what we had to spare myself that ache, it made me sad to even think about walking away.
I just hoped there was more for us than that.
“Sara, there you are!”
Craning my neck to find that familiar voice, I was met with Yara, Cora, Hayley, and Alora. They were all dressed in similar relaxed athletic wear, prepared for the competitions.
