30 Days of Writing: (18) Summer
“Interesting how time flies, isn’t it?”
I turned away from the kids playing at the playground to look at the man taking a seat beside me on the bench. He smiled at me and I returned my attention to a boy making a sandcastle, nodding in response to the question.
“I thought you would be on a mission,” he mused, arm around my shoulders. I leaned towards the hand that was brushing against my cheek.
“My superiors decided I was to take some time off, after my traumatic experience of being held captive for a year,” I replied softly. My voice sounded raspy from disuse, as if I had a strange cold. “I do not know for how long.”
“Well, at least you’re not on active duty,” Noah remarked, letting out a heavy sigh. “You look better. I haven’t seen you since they broke you out.”
I nodded half-heartedly, switching my gaze to the little girls on the see-saw. “It has only been a month, but I am feeling better.”
“…aren’t you hot in that jacket, Maddy? It’s like, eighty degrees.”
“No, not particularly.” A breeze ruffled our hairs, laughter ringing in my ears. I couldn’t help the smile. “I feel rather cool, to be honest.”
“You and your wind manipulation,” he grumbled with a pout. “I am jealous.”
I laughed lightly, ignoring the slight discomfort from it. “I heard you met my friends in that mission a week ago.”
“That fire brat is annoying!” Noah exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. “He could work on his sword skills, though. But that fire will be dangerous if it gets out of hand. His control is really good.”
“Jace is always good at control,” I agreed.
“I am also now afraid of plants,” he reluctantly informed. “I walked into a houseplant the other day and I almost screamed, thinking it was attacking me.”
I laughed even harder, dissolving into a coughing fit a few seconds later. Noah handed me a bottle of water from nowhere and I took a few cautious sips. He rubbed circles on my back and I calmed down. “Thank you. And I am glad Vincent has left such an impression on you.”
While I rather my friends not join in this fight against Nemesis, it seemed Fate had other plans for us. I supposed I should be grateful that at least Stephen, Lucy, and Nina were not in the field department, far away from the front-lines. However, I have a feeling that Drew would be joining Avalon next, and most likely joining Jace and Vincent. I would have to use whatever I could to make sure none of them got hurt.
“So, since it’s this hot, do you want to get some ice-cream?” Noah asked, leaning back. “Something cold might be nice for your throat.”
My lips curved around the water bottle as I took another sip. “Are you paying?”
He looked at me for a few seconds, something hidden in his eyes, before sighing rather exaggeratedly. He dusted off his jeans and got up, stretching his arms. “Wellllll~ It’s not like I have a choice now. Gotta be a nice boyfriend, right?”
I blinked at his words, staring up at him with a puzzled expression. ‘Boyfriend’? That was a term neither of us had used before. It was not as if we had discussed it, nor had he formally asked me out. But… well, I did not quite have the same aversion as I had before. Instead, the word brought a warm feeling inside me, and it felt…nice.
Smiling, I accepted the hand he had gave me, pulling myself up. He made a gesture to pull his hand away (remembering that I did not like holding hands, I noted fondly), but I held on tight. He looked hesitant, staring at me with confusion. My smile grew a bit wider. “No worries. I will treat next time, Noah.”
A few seconds of us staring at each other’s eyes, and he finally relaxed at my words. With a laugh, he led me to the nearest ice-cream parlor, telling me more about what happened in that mission last week.