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Two weeks later, Braylen watched Arabella’s retreating figure as she left his house. She’d brought over some snickerdoodle cookies, which they had eaten while discussing lots of things, all while carefully avoiding mentioning Noah.
Braylen knew Aira was frustrated. Noah was leaving next week, and she still didn’t know if he liked her. When school had ended, and Noah left, Arabella worried she’d missed her chance. But then Noah came back and she got her hopes up again. Noah had been to the Moose a few times, and Aira said each time he’d been friendly and flirtatious, but he never asked her out.
Braylen didn’t understand what was taking Noah so long. Was the man blind? He’d have to be stupid to miss how special Arabella was. He must be shy, Braylen thought. I could give Noah a little nudge in Aira’s direction, right?
A siren potion should do the trick. What harm could it do?
Braylen checked his spell book. He had all the ingredients for the potion. He hummed happily as he worked. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Aira’s face when Noah noticed her as more than a friend.
A plume of purple smoke curled lazily into the air. Braylen corked the bottle. He just needed Aira to drink a little of the potion. She would be irresistible to Noah. Aira never had to find out. After all, the spell was only temporary. By the time it wore off, Noah would already be smitten by Arabella’s charms.
***
The next day, Braylen offered Arabella some lemonade from his bottle as they walked through town. She accepted gratefully. It was still hot out for September. Braylen meandered toward the docks. He knew he didn’t need a reason. Arabella always wanted to walk past the docks, in case Noah was there. He noticed Aira’s posture had straightened, and she was smoothing her hair.
Noah was there.
Braylen tingled with anticipation. He held his breath, waiting for Noah to notice Aira.
“Hi, Noah,” Arabella called out with a smile.
Noah looked up, and a smile spread across his face.
Yes! Braylen cheered. The siren potion was about to work.
But Noah didn’t return Arabella’s greeting. The moment stretched on excruciatingly. Slowly, Braylen realized that Noah wasn’t smiling at Aira, but at something behind her. Braylen’s eyes followed Noah’s gaze. A girl with sleek light-brown hair and a lofty expression stood behind Arabella, preening in her emerald dress. Haydia.
Arabella frowned, turning to see what Noah was staring at. Her expression darkened when she noticed Haydia.
Noah set down the crate he was carrying and made a beeline for Haydia. “Haydia!” he exclaimed warmly.
What is going on? Braylen wondered. Aira was supposed to be irresistible.
“Hi, Noah,” Haydia purred. Noah kissed her cheek.
“You look beautiful,” Noah said, his eyes shining.
“Thanks,” Haydia preened, stealing a glance in Arabella’s direction. Arabella’s face revealed nothing, but inwardly Braylen knew she was crushed. “Hi, Arabella!” she chirped.
“Hello, Haydia.” Arabella gave her a chilly nod before spinning on her heel and storming away without a backward glance. Braylen caught up with her and lightly touched her arm.
“I’m sorry, Aira. I know how much you like him.”
Arabella turned to face Braylen. Her eyes looked glassy. “It’s time I got over him, I guess. What has it been, three years? If he was going to ask me out, he would have by now. Haydia probably doesn’t even like him,” she said bitterly. “She just wants him because I like him.” Arabella exhaled forcefully. “I don’t even know how she knows. She’s just got a sixth sense about stuff like this.”
“Why don’t you go for a ride, clear you mind?” Braylen suggested.
Arabella nodded. “You’re right. I think I will.”
Braylen walked back with her to the hitching post where they’d tied their horses so they could walk around town. “It’ll all work out, Aira,” he promised.
“Do you have a potion for that?” she joked as she climbed on her horse. She gave Braylen a shaky smile that didn’t meet her eyes.
Bray shook his head. “Maybe I can invent one,” he said.
Arabella smiled at that. “I’ll talk to you later, Bray.”
***
Arabella nudged Gus, and he galloped off into the woods. The feel of the wind in her hair lifted Arabella’s spirits, as it always did. She breathed the sweet fall air in deeply. She loved her family and the beauty of Everwood, but she was tired of being here. Living in this small town, seeing the same people, day in and day out was making her crazy. She needed a fresh start. Maybe she could stay with Viviana or Gabriella for a while, experience different scenery, different people.
Somewhere she didn’t have to run into Haydia and Noah.
She spurred Gus to go faster as they approached a fence. Gus sailed over the fence with ease. Her heart pounded. The vibration as they landed on the other side thundered through her bones. Damn Haydia. Why did she have to go after everything Arabella wanted? They’d been friends once.