“Are you sure this is safe?” I whispered to Leo as Kai climbed out. He smirked. “Sure, Dedri.”

“All clear!” Kai said, as quietly as he could. “Keep your voices low and feet quiet,” Leo said as he started out the window behind Alea.

“Uhm…” I trailed off as I stared at my broken ankle and crutches. We’d each taken a small backpack and a personal belonging.

Kai had his toolkit, Alea had her full box of recipes, plants, and animals tied together with some string, and Leo had a strange metal box.

I only had clothes. Alea had given me a small silver treasure chest, which I much appreciated. I’d put a pretty pebble I’d found outside a few days ago in the padded cushion at the bottom.

“Come on Dedri!” Leo whispered from outside, pulling me from my thoughts.

I hesitated, again. “Leo, I can’t…” The reality hit me like a pile of bricks.

I couldn’t come.

Not just because of my broken leg, not even because of my parents, I didn’t care much for them.

I wasn’t from their world. I didn’t come from magical parents. I’d nearly gotten Leo hurt because of how oblivious I was.

And I didn’t want him getting hurt.

I’d only just met this boy a week ago, but I still found myself blushing when he smiled at me.

“Dedri?” Leo asked. I could hear a tinge of sadness in his voice. Did he really want me? Cedar Summer Dedri?

The girl who had no friends growing up because she was too afraid of failing a test her parents would yell at her for not doing well enough on no matter what?

I wish I’d been the rebellious type. Instead, I was a people-pleaser, and a good one at that.

Leo Farwinkle did not want me.

“I’m sorry Leo,” I said, squeezing the silver chest tight in my hands. “I can’t go.”

Leo pulled himself through the window and walked up close to me. And I didn’t fail to notice exactly how close it was.

“You’re one of us Dedri, you can’t leave us now.” I could hear a try at a joke in his voice, though he failed. Miserably.

I opened my mouth, but struggled to find the right excuse.

“Exactly, now come with me,” Leo said as he pulled me towards the window.

I barely managed to keep up with him, mostly hopping.

I handed Leo my crutches, and he handed them to Alea as I sat down on the sill and carefully twirled myself around so my legs were dangling out the window.

It was about a foot drop, and I tried to lift myself on my hands to lower myself out, but I couldn’t.

Leo reached for my waist, and I let out a small squeak as he lifted me out, clinging to him like a bug.

When my feet were finally on the ground, I prepared to shove myself away from him to avoid falling, but he held onto me for a moment longer.

“Uh, hi,” I muttered at a loss for words, my face burning.

Alea cleared her throat and handed me my crutches, a broad smile on her face. I shoved myself away from Leo, stumbling backward and nearly falling again.

Leo caught me just in time, laughing. A silver chain was dangling from his neck with a small square at the end.

I leaned forward to get a better look, but Leo quickly pulled us back up and looked away from me.

Great, I’d crossed another line.

I picked up my crutches and stumbled behind them along the slim trail at the back of the cabins.

Leaves crunched beneath me as my crutches hit the firm ground beneath my feet.

Gosh, I was loud.

At one point Kai turned to me and asked if he should carry me so I wouldn’t be so loud.

I wish I could’ve brought up the fact that Leo wanted me there.

Alea ended up walking next to me, Leo in front of me, and Kai behind me, looking at everything like they were suspects in a crime.

I couldn’t help noticing how Leo walked with the slightest hint of a limp. Barely noticeable for anyone who didn’t stalk him.

The forest finally came into view, and I heard myself breathe a sigh of relief.

“This way!” Alea whispered loudly as she turned down a different trail leading through the trees. It was a different way than we’d run last time, but just as beautiful.

There was a small pond next to us with a willow tree bending near it, and the moon illuminated the tall grass that grew around it. There was a slight breeze, cooling the damp air. This place was so beautiful.

After a while of walking, we turned off the trail and cut through a large meadow full of glowing yellow lights. There was a small cliff overlooking the camp towards the end, and mystical trees framed the area.

“We’ll break here,” Kai said, surveying the area with his eyes.

“Perfect, I’m exhausted,” Alea said as she flopped onto the soft grass. She was snoring within minutes.

I sat down a few feet away from her, near a blue-brown tree with intricate silver markings up and down the trunk.

They reminded me of the swirl that now decorated my arm. It was simple, but it was there. A loopy green vine. It didn’t explain why things flew across the room whenever I got nervous, but I was excited nonetheless.

I traced my finger along it, and it glowed slightly.

Finally.

Kai sat in the middle of the field, watching the yellow lights move around. I moved to sit next to him. “Hi,” I said awkwardly, unsure of what else to say. “I just wanted to say thank you, for everything you’ve done for me,” I finished.

Kai turned to me, a soft smile on his face.

“Anything for a fellow underdog.” He curled his hand into a fist for a fist-bump, and I did the same. Leo came and sat next to me, and I found myself sleepily leaning against him. He chuckled. “Get some rest, Dedri. You’re going to need it for where we’re going tomorrow.”

I lay down on the grass, stretching out next to Leo and Kai who did the same.

“Where are we going tomorrow?” I mumbled sleepily.

“The Táknahári ruins,” Leo whispered, reaching for my hand. I leaned my head on his shoulder, unaware of what that actually meant, and what it would mean for me and Leo.

And boy was I in for it.