Page 119 of Echoes of the Banshee

His eyebrows shoot up. “Wait, what? When?”

“Couple weeks ago,” I mutter, staring at the ground. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Clearly it was, or you wouldn’t look like you’re about to dig a hole and hide in it,” Dylan says. “What happened?”

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I tried to kiss her, okay? She pulled away. Thought I was trying to hook up. It was a mess.”

“Were you?” he asks.

“No! I even told her I wanted to date her. I told her it was real for me.”

Dylan turns to study me, clearly surprised.

“I know,” I mutter, frustration creeping into my voice. “I’ve always said I don’t date witches. They’re manipulative. But she’s not like that. And I still blew it. I laid everything out there, and she just — she didn’t see it. Or didn’t believe me.”

“So she didn’t know you were going to kiss her?”

“That’s the thing. I don’t think she did.” I shake my head. “I moved her hair, looked her in the eyes. I thought she wanted it, but then she panicked when she realized that was what I was trying to do. I think she thought I was actually fixing her hair.”

“What?” He blinks. “You don’t think she’s… you know?”

“No, you’ve heard her dirty jokes. She’s clearly had some kind of sex. But she couldn’t tell that I liked her. I’m so confused. Every other girl thinks I’m proposing if I remember their name. And the one girl I actually like doesn’t pick up any hints I’m dropping. Hell, I literally spelled it out and she didn’t get it.” I wipe my hand down my face. This has been eating at me and I’m glad to get it out. “She said she has someone, but I think she was letting me down easy, because I’ve never seen her with anyone.”

“Maybe she just needs time,” Dylan says as we walk.

“Why would she tell everyone she’s sleeping with Benson when she has a boyfriend?”

“Stop,” he cuts me off, voice serious. “If you want Thea, you’re going to have to act like all this.” He waves a hand. “Is nothing. Because this is her. Chaos and heart. If you want her heart, you’ve got to deal with her chaos.”

“Dammit, alright,” I agree as we approach the dining hall.

The chatter and laughter from one corner catches my attention, and I immediately recognize Thea’s laugh. A grin pulls at my lips. Despite whatever has happened, I can’t wait to see her. We grab our food quickly and head toward the noise. Thea, Benson, and Mavrik are all piled into a booth. He seems to be coming out of his shell lately, even looks more alive. I slide in next to Thea, feeling a mix of comfort and something a little more.

“Seems like you were bored without us,” I tease. Thea reaches over and snags my fruit. I swat at her hand, but honestly, I ordered it because I knew she’d steal it.

“Yup, absolutely nothing of note happened,” Benson chimes in. His red face betrays him.

“Other than the entire campus calling you the goblin king?”

Thea leans in, grinning mischievously. “I think ‘goblin king’ has a nice ring to it,” she teases. “Maybe you should start a fan club.”

“Think you can give me a boost next?” Dylan jokes. “My fan club’s not nearly big enough.”

“I don’t know, does that dog tongue of yours do anything but yap?” Thea asks. Wiggling her eyebrows.

Dylan freezes for a second, a mock pout crossing his face. “Ouch, that stung, Thea. Here I thought we were friends.”

“Yap, yap, yap,” she says, her eyes glinting with trouble.

“Give it five minutes and a jar of honey, I’ll change your mind,” he tells her and the laughter lights up her face.

“My mom makes good honey-butter jam,” Mavrik says and my ribs twist as we laugh harder. Mavrik looks confused, then embarrassed as it dawns on him what he said.

It’s moments like these, with their teasing and playful jabs, that make everything feel right. It’s enough just being here with them, no expectations, no drama, just good friends. Dylan’s right, Thea is chaos and heart, and I wouldn’t want her any other way.

After a few minutes, I notice Thea has gone quiet. She’s staring at the bracelet we bought while shopping last week, her expression tight with debate. I watch as she drops the illusion of the fake bracelet and braces herself, trying to slip it on.

Without thinking, I offer her my hand. Her eyes jump to mine, quiet desperation there, but also resolve. Wordlessly, she hands me the bracelet. I warm it between my hands first. I fasten it carefully, making sure nothing startles her, no cold metal against her skin. I hold her hand steady as she takes deep breaths.