She shouldn’t be staring at him like that. That was definitely a first.
She had spent the day thinking about what had happened this morning, hoping that maybe it was actuallysomething. She felt bad for reacting the way she did this morning. He didn’t deserve to be treated like that. She knew he had a tender heart and would never hurt her.
But it had to have been just a coincidence, an accident. Cahir didn’t really feel for herthatway.
She was shattered, weighed down by her own emotions and memories, and Cahir couldn’t possibly want that. He wouldn’t desire someone so broken and unlovable.
They were justfriends.
Why would she even look at him like that?
She took a deep breath to calm herself and absentmindedly stirred the rice, even though she wasn’t supposed to.
Stupid woman! You’re mad at him anyway!
Her irritation slowly simmered again, matching the rice. She was angry with herself for looking at him, for hoping for something she didn’t deserve, and for his silence toward her.
When he finally stepped out of the bedroom fully dressed in his pajamas, she angrily said, “Listen, I don’t know what I did to deserve your silence, but I’m now frustrated. Just talk to me. What did I do wrong? Why are you so upset?”
“NoteverythingI feel is about you, Seda,” he retorted.
How dare he!
She threw the rice spoon she was holding across the kitchen in a fit of anger. It clinked, and the rice clinging to the spoon stuck to the wall. She didn’t care. Let it be messy. She flew into a rage and stormed out of the kitchen.
“Oh, great. Now the little rice we have left in this fucking hellhole is stuck to the wall.” He flung his arms up in frustration.
Seda paused at his comeback and replied curtly, “Good, I hope it dries out and crusts over, and I hope youscrapeyourself on its sharp edges when you walk by!”
They both froze and locked eyes.
His lips curved into the beginning of a smile, and he quickly covered them with his hand, averting his gaze from her and focusing on the rice on the wall instead.
Seda thought about what she said.
What a stupid comeback.
For a brief moment, the air hung heavy with silence, but then they both erupted into laughter.
“What kind of wish is that?” Cahir asked her, laughter slipping out as he fought back tears.
“I don’t even know. Who even gets cut up from rice? Not you. You don’t even get cut up by swords.”
Cahir’s laughter died, and he looked at her in confusion. “How did you know that?”
“Because that one time you caught the sword from that stupid Rozzer who tripped.”
“Oh, right. I forgot that happened.”
They both quieted down. Cahir opened his arms to her. “Come here. I’m sorry I’ve been in a bad mood. I really do not like that place. I’m not upset with you.”
She stepped forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace, feeling the warmth of his arms around her.
She reminded herself that they were friends, and he was herbestfriend.
Wyrd sirens blared out, their pulsing beat reverberating through the air. For a moment, the tension between Seda and Cahir was palpable as they locked eyes, their faces a mix of confusion and shock.
“I-It can’t be…” she gasped, her mouth falling open, her heart pounding as if it had missed too many beats.
