The only thing I hated about being with Aspen was the need for secrecy. For most of my life, I'd been bounced around so often, I'd never had the chance to actually date. Go on dates? Sure. Have a hookup, definitely. Be someone's girlfriend? Not really. At least not for more than a week or so.
And now, I'd finally found someone I really liked being with, and I couldn't brag about it to the world. If I did, I'd get moved out of my roomso fast it would make my head spin. But IlikedAspen. As a friend, as more, and in ways I couldn't even figure out how to explain.
We'd been trying to take things slow, but nights together had been more frequent than not. Oddly, the thing bothering me the most was not being able to hold hands. It wasn't the kissing or fucking bits that I missed. It was the rest of it! The couple things.
Then a guy moved in, tapping Aspen's shoulder. "We'll dance with you two," he said, gesturing to his friend.
The second guy was smirking at me in a way that screamed "ick." Letting out a huff, I rolled my eyes. Then, just to make sure he got the point, I shook my head.
"I'm good," I told him.
"Right where I want to be," Aspen said, clearly following my lead.
"Bitch," the second guy grumbled at her.
"What did you say?" I demanded, giving him the chance to blame the loud music instead of repeating it.
Which was when my crow decided to make his presence known. Jack swooped in from above, flying right in front of the guy's face before landing on Aspen's shoulder.
"Court!" he screamed.
"What the fuck?" the first guy huffed.
"Jack!" the bird cawed again. "Court!"
"Yes, you are," Aspen assured him, reaching up to tickle his belly.
Which was when another voice added, "Time to go. The ladies were having fun without you."
The second guy flinched, shocked to find Hawke standing right behind him - glaring at the first guy. Clearly, that was all the pair needed, because they fucked off.
So I lifted an arm in an invitation for Hawke to come closer. "Dance with us?"
"Yeah?" he asked.
But his words weren't directed at Aspen. That was what I'd expected, yet his focus was completely on me. Those autumn-colored eyes of his were warm. His lips were curled in a soft smile. He also came closer.
"Not breaking up the fun, am I?" This time, his question was for Aspen.
"You're playing the bouncer," she assured him.
Caw!Jack agreed, nodding enthusiastically.
"Yeah, and I can only handle two at once, Jack," Hawke joked. "Go away, bud. You're cramping my style."
Surprisingly, the bird laughed - or made a rattling sound that was the avian equivalent. And then Jack actually took off. I just scoffed and moved to hang on one of Hawke's shoulders. Aspen took the other, and we kept dancing.
Thankfully, the next song was faster. The one after that was heavier. The music changed, shifting through all the genres I could think of, but it was fun. Yet when I got sweaty and bowed out, Aspen offered to join me.
"Keep going," I told her. "Wear yourself out a little so I'll have a chance at keeping up."
She grinned, but let me go. Yet as I waded through the bodies filling every open space, I realized the entire atrium was packed. When Aspen had said "bigger," I'd thought double the size. This? It was basically the whole fucking school!
"Over here."
I heard Torian's voice and turned, not surprised to find a bit of empty space around him. The only confusing part was that he no longer hovered over by the pond. I also didn't see his phone, but it could've been in his pocket.
"I thought you were running this show," I said, jerking my chin to where I'd seen him before.
