Aiden hurried on his way to Hanna’s locker. Turning into the hallway, he almost lost his nerve. He’d texted her before his last class and said to meet him here. Well, even if he couldn’t go through with it, he had to meet her. Telling her to and then not showing up would just be rude.
It felt like a mini version of a panic attack as he reached her locker. Maggie’s calm words went through his head. That things would be fine, that no matter what they would still be friends.
Hanna looked a little nervous when she showed up. “So what’s up?”
This was his chance to say it was nothing, make up an excuse. But what if she said yes? It would be nice to have something good happen after the past few crappy weeks. “Can we talk outside?” This wasn’t something he wanted to ask in a crowded hallway. “Grab your stuff.”
“Okay.” She gave him a curious look as she opened her locker. She pulled on her coat and grabbed her books, stuffing them into her bag.
Breathe, breathe, breathe. He led her out to the back of the building where he was sure they could find a private space to talk. Moving away from the doors, he went along a salt-covered cement walkway and stopped near a corner of the building.
Hanna watched him, waiting for him to speak.
He went over the words in his head, shuffling them, trying to make them perfect. “Hanna, I, um… We’re friends and that’s great and I don’t want you to think you have to do anything…” Ugh, that was terrible. He sounded like an idiot.
“Yes?” she prompted, looking as nervous as he felt.
He took a deep breath and forced the question out in a rush. “Do you want to go out with me?”
The nervousness disappeared and a huge smile lit her face. “Yes!” She hugged him. “Yes, I’d love to.”
“Oh.” He hugged her back, wondering why he’d been so worried. First he felt relief, then as he realized what this meant, he smiled.
She pulled back, looking into his eyes. “I was worried you wouldn’t ask.”
“You could’ve asked me, you know.”
“No.” She laughed like it was ridiculous. “So do you have something in mind? For our date, I mean. Or did you just want me to be your girlfriend?”
Right. Going out, dating. Those things meant going on actual dates. “I didn’t have a date planned. I was too worried about asking you to think of anything else. But I will. I’ll come up with something fun. Maybe this weekend?” He’d need to ask Maggie for advice.
“That sounds great.” She clasped her hands together and made a squee noise. “I’m so happy!”
She kissed his cheek, and it sent an electric tingle through him. How much better would it be to kiss her lips?
They hurried to the front of the building so they wouldn’t miss their buses. Aiden considered taking her hand while they walked, but he was afraid someone from the pack would see them. When Conner found out, there would be trouble.
* * *
Dylan leaned against the lockers. “So, you wanna hang out tonight?” At least now he knew not to ask Aiden to come to the pit. He missed their training time. Missed having someone to share it with.
“Actually, I’m going on date.”
“A date? With Hanna?”
Aiden glanced around like he was afraid of being overheard. “Yeah.”
“So like, you’re an actual thing now?” The uncomfortable sting in his chest… that couldn’t be jealousy, could it?
Aiden nodded. “I asked her out a few days ago. I was going to tell you earlier, but it just sort of never came up.”
“So that’s why you two have been extra touchy-feely.” He’d wondered when Conner would come over and cause trouble, but maybe being sent home had made him more cautious. Knowing how afraid of magic Aiden was, for once Dylan was glad there hadn’t been a reason to fight this week.
Aiden’s face scrunched up for a second. “Were we that obvious?”
“Almost put me off my lunch.” Dylan frowned. “You’re not gonna start kissing during lunch, are you?”
“Oh my God, Conner would kill us.”
“I told you I wouldn’t let him touch you.”
Aiden paled.
“I’ll take the fight outside. Far away from you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t fight at all.” The color came back into Aiden’s cheeks.
Dylan gave him a hard look. “Don’t let Conner control your life. If you want to kiss Hanna during lunch, then do it. Even if it makes me want to gag.”
That surprised a laugh out of Aiden. “I should catch my bus. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.” Dylan went out to the parking lot where his mom was waiting. On the way home, he briefly considered talking to her about Aiden and Hanna and how he might be jealous. No, too embarrassing.
After dinner, he walked through the snowy streets to the pit. The night was cold, but even without using fire magic, Dylan could generate plenty of heat to keep warm. As soon as he got there, he sent out a stream of fire, growling in frustration. He’d gotten used to spending time with Aiden out here. Aside from the talk they’d had after the thing, Aiden hadn’t been out here in weeks. Not since the fight.
Flames swirled along the bottom of the pit, melting the inch of snow that had fallen the day before. A hazy fog formed, drifting between the tall piles of gravel. What was the point of making friends with Aiden if he just ended up alone again? First being afraid of magic, and now he was spending his time with Hanna.
What would have happened if Aiden hadn’t interrupted him during the ritual? Would Morgan have taken Dylan with him? Would Dylan be out there right now, free to do whatever he wanted? Or had it all been a trick, Morgan using him and then dumping him as villains often did?
Dylan threw his arms wide, fire rising up in waves almost as tall as the piles. With a yell, he sent them crashing into each other. None of that mattered. What mattered was that he’d hurt Aiden and maybe ruined him for life. Aiden had been doing so good, finally letting loose with his magic and having some fun.
That was all ruined, and no matter how much Dylan apologized he couldn’t fix it. The one good thing in his life. The only friend he’d ever had. Like fire, he burned everything he touched.
He sent his magic out, fire lashing and roaring until all the snow was gone. Until the gravel was scorched black and smoking. Until the sky brightened with the coming dawn.