“Well, when you have people like you, Ash, Jess and even K around, it’s hard to hide. I feel like you all see me too closely sometimes.”
“Ah, someone’s been practising her feelings-circle responses.”
“Of course,” she hesitated, then added softly, “And I feel like… I like you, Dev.”
I tensed immediately. Every muscle locked up.
Why would she say that out loud?
I glanced around for an escape—any escape—and nearly sagged in relief when movement caught my eye.
“Speaking of Ash—did you see?” I blurted, pointing toward the lake.
There, in the middle of the icy water, Ash was swimming in deranged circles.
“What the heck is he doing?” Seph said, hands flying to her mouth. She ran to the shore. “He’ll freeze out there!”
“He does this all the time. That boy is unbreakable.”
Ash used his magic to lift himself up in the air then dropped like a cannonball, whooping loudly.
I reached out for her as she stepped towards him again, almost touching her but stopping myself. “Careful. If he sees you, he’ll probably thrown you in.”
“He wouldn’t,” she said, uncertainly.
Ash spotted her. “Seph! There you are!”
Seph stepped back. “Oh no.”
“Just lean into it. He’s yours now.” I said, amused.
“He’s not mine.”
“Tellhimthat.” I gestured.
Ash came bounding up like an excited puppy. He even shook the water off him in a big burst. “You’re here! That’s awesome!”
Flicks of water poured off him on to both of us. I wiped off a splash in disgust. “Jesus, Ash - this is silk for god sake!”
Ash just shrugged.
“Can I get you some food? Or a drink? Or do you want to come for a swim.”
He bounced on his heels next to her, his fingers constantly moving with him. Seph reached out with her gloved hands and touched his shoulders.
“It’s OK, Ash. I’m Ok,” she said, stepping closer to him.
“I missed you earlier,” Ash pouted.
“Sorry about that. I wanted to check on Jess.”
“Is she OK?”
“I don’t know. No, maybe. She’s had a rough time.” Seph said.
“We all have.” I said.
“I guess that’s true.”
