Page 7

Nix

Kassian has been acting strange.

It started yesterday. First, he got a headache. That part isn’t strange. Sometimes when we work all day, we use our magical abilities too much and then feel like we’re having a hangover. Our heads will hurt, our bodies ache, and if we really overdo it, we can get ourselves sick or give ourselves bloody noses.

No, that part wasn’t too weird. It was what happened after. Usually, Kassian will let me play with his hair, rub his head, and take care of him when he's not feeling well. It’s what bros do for their bros, right? But Kassian is suddenly telling me he doesn’t need my help. It feels like he’s trying to put distance between the two of us.

It hurts. It hurts so bad I can’t even form words. It’s almost like something changed yesterday but I have no idea what.

No matter how many times I play yesterday over in my head, I have no idea what’s gone wrong. We met so many people, helping to awaken any dormant magical abilities or helping them understand it better. There was even a handful of people we really got along with.

As I think about the people we met, there’s two in particular that come to mind; Dean and Hazel.

They were both so nice! I can’t help but smile, thinking about how happy Hazel was to have her abilities awakened with our help. Dean on the other hand, was in quite the shock. I’m sure he’ll come around to understanding his own powers in no time.

That’s one of the things I love about traveling with Kassian. The two of us were made to be a team. Our abilities synchronize perfectly and we’re able to help so many people.

In some ways, it feels like we were literally made to be together. It’s one of the reasons this weird wedge between us hurts so badly. For as long as I can remember, it’s always been the two of us against the world. He’s my best friend, the one that I always go to when I need something, the one I want to spend all my time with. I want to work with him, goof around with him, live with him. If it were possible, I’d want to live inside his pocket so he could never get away from me.

I am so in love with this man it makes me look stupid at times.

Letting out a long sigh, I pick up the pace of my run. I stare at myself in the floor length mirror in front of me, wishing I didn’t look so upset. Can’t I outrun my feelings? Can’t I just get over all this pining once and for all? It’s not like Kassian could ever love me back.

Sweat drips down my face, my lungs start to hurt, but I keep running.

Whatever’s going on with Kassian, I’m sure I can fix it. I’ve done it before and I’m sure I’ll do it again. A little part at the back of my head worries that one of these times, he’s going to pull away for real. He’ll find someone he loves, leaving my sorry pining ass behind. I want nothing more than for my best friend to be happy but I can’t stop wondering why that can’t be with me.

I hit the stop button on the treadmill before hopping off. I put my hands on my knees, sucking in breath after breath. I don’t think it’s the run that’s left my chest aching like this but it’s a good excuse nonetheless.

After my workout, I head back up to our shared hotel room. I find Kassian on the bed, lying on his stomach, his phone in hand. He looks up at me with wide, golden eyes. I swear his eyes sweep over me but honestly, that’s probably just my hopeful mind playing tricks on me.

“Hey,” I say in greeting. “Whatcha doing?”

Kassian bites his bottom lip for a moment before saying, “planning a meet-cute.”

My brain stutters. Emotions flash through me rapid fire. Amusement. Fondness. Confusion. Finally, I land on feeling hurt.

Fuck. Has he found someone? Why is he planning a meet-cute? What the fuck does that even mean?

“Okay, first of all, I thought you said you were cutting down on the fanfiction, Kassian.”

“Fuck you,” he says with a chuckle, his cheeks pinkening. “What else am I supposed to do whenever we’re on the road!”

“Second of all,” I say, cutting him off. “A meet-cute isn’t something you can plan! It’s something that happens naturally! Like how you and I met in kindergarten, bro.”

Something flashes across Kassian’s features. He nods his head. “That was pretty cute.”

I hum. “And you’ve been stuck with me ever since.”

“No place else I’d rather be, bro.”

“Bro!” I say dramatically, coming over in order to flop onto the bed beside Kassian.

“Absolutely not,” he says, pointing at me. “Go take a shower first. You’re all sweaty and stinky!”

I groan before turning around but before I get into the bathroom I stop. “What were you really doing on your phone? Are you really writing fanfiction?”

“In a way,” he murmurs. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll find out soon enough.”