It was a day I’d never forget. I learned so much about my friends and myself.
I liked walking around Dinan. It was beautiful, and I loved the little shops near the river. Travelling was pretty fun when you did it with people you like. Even the tension in Rylan’s shoulders from the fire incident seemed to melt away as the hours passed.
“He does like me,” I said, finally answering her question from a moment before. I didn’t lie because what would be the point. The fact that he flew her here to spend time with me was very telling.
“So….”
“So, what?” Normally, we’d be having this same conversation but in reverse.
Piper rolled her eyes.
“Why don’t you date him? Make it official,” she asked, and I set the new clothes into my laundry basket to be taken down after she left.
I opened my mouth to answer her honestly, but Edith’s squeal came first. “Everybody, look at how this hat looks on me!” Edith lifted her head on the dresser and twisted from side to side in front of a hand mirror. She wore a little black and purple witches’ hat on her head. The market had been full of accessories for her, most likely designed for dolls but could totally be used for snakes, and it made my soul happy.
“You are the cutest, E,” Piper complimented, beaming at her little sister snake.
To be honest, I’d been worried that Edith might not talk to her. The rules with the talking creatures were uncertain as far as I was concerned. But, like the mouse back home, it appeared that since Piper was an extension of me, she’d be able to hear Edith too. And she could. In fact, like any annoying little sister, Edith happily chirped Piper’s ear off.
“Sooo,” Piper said, leveling me with a stern look, waiting for my answer.
Of course she wouldn’t let this go. Not even my noodle could distract her.
“I don’t need a boyfriend.”
“No, you don’t. But you deserve someone who will finally take care of you. Rylan seems like he wants to.”
He did, and I felt uneasy about it. What could I possible give him that he couldn’t get somewhere else?
Excuse? Maybe… but it’s where my head was after today. Rylan wouldn’t let us pay for anything. He spoiled the whole group without asking for anything in return.
“Mom, ever since I was born, I’ve been your life.” She would be, too, until the day I died.
“And except that time where you abandoned Jelly Belly, you were a good mom.” She smiled, teasing me about the one time I forgot her pink stuffy at the laundry mat. We went back to getit later that day, though. Spoiler alert, both parties survived the traumatic experience.
She sat up and looked me dead in the eyes.
“But I’m growing up, and I want you to focus on you. Which you are, and I love that. Your friends are the coolest.” They really were. “I know if I ever met a person like Rylan,” she continued, “who adored the ground I walked on, spoiled me rotten, took the time to know what sort of food I liked, and what made me smile, you’d tell me to go for it. Because I deserve someone who treats me like the princess I am. He pays attention to the little things and doesn’t do it for attention. He just wants you to be happy. Like the star thing.”
I tilted my head, my face pinching in confusion. Piper’s hands ran down her face.
“Seriously, Mom?” She rolled off the bed and grabbed handfuls of clothes from the laundry basket. “He calls you Star because you obviously have a thing for them. Look at all the clothes you got today. Star sweater, star dress, star socks. Stars, stars, stars.”
My head shook as I explained. “I glowed when we first met. It’s been a magic thing I can’t control yet.”
“You’re thick sometimes.” She yawned and checked her phone. “I’ve gotta get back down there. I love you, and I just want you happy.”
“Love you too, P.” I wanted to be happy and can honestly say I was.
As we walked down to the waiting helicopter, Piper talked about school, and how she loved her classes. She also met a new boy, but they were keeping things casual for now.
We hugged and Rylan helped her up before running over to me.
“I have to stay in the states after I drop her off, so I may be gone a few days,” he said against my ear with the wind whipping my hair into his face.
“Okay, be safe.” I had more questions but didn’t ask. Why? Because I was a chicken and didn’t want to sound needy.
“I’ll call you.” His lips pressed against my cheek, and either his magic or mine crackled around us like someone lit firecrackers.
