She sprints through the goalposts, and before I can think to stop myself, I leap to my feet and let out a triumphant cheer—along with Lyra and half of the students and faculty in the stands. But despite all the people cheering and screaming and jumping up and down, when Aric turns and scans the crowd, it’s my gaze that he finds. And the smile he gives me feels like sunlight, like he could chase a midwinter blizzard away with that one look. It feels like he was looking for me, and now that he’s found me, his gaze doesn’t stray.
And I smile right back, grin so big that it makes my cheeks hurt.
A tiny voice in my head says,He sees me.
I want to deny it. I’ve had silly little crushes over the years, but apart from an awkward date here or there, usually at the library or Mama’s café, nothing has ever worked out, and I’ve stopped getting my hopes up. The safest place for me is cuddled up in a comfy chair with my nose in a book. But now here I am, cheering at a runeball game, and the captain is looking right at me.
There’s no calming the flurry of butterflies in my stomach.
I think I might be falling for Aric Vandermere, whether I want to or not.
I CAN’T REMEMBER THE LAST time I was this stressed. Maybe last Yule, when Mama and I were so overwhelmed by bakery orders that we had to stay up until the early hours of the morning—multiple days in a row—just to get everything prepared in time. After that, it felt like I lounged in bed for a week, doing nothing but reading and cuddling with Pepper, our cat, and eating sweet snacks while snow blanketed Wysteria outside my window.
But right now, watching as Hexrush and the Sigil Strikers battle to win the match, I feelextremelystressed out. Like I might start biting my nails at any moment—and it took me a long time to break that habit.
The game is tied, and we’re down to the final minutes. The players are coated in sweat, and a few substitutes have come in for each team. Raelan calls themfresh legs. Until today, I had no idea he was so passionate about runeball. But he’s standing right alongside Lyra, cheering for Morgan’s team while Lyra cheers for Aric’s.
I twist the fringe at the end of my scarf around and around my finger, my gaze flitting across the field, following the movement of the arcane sphere as it flies through different runes and responds accordingly, whether that means catching fire, becoming coated in a glistening layer of ice, or getting a boost of air speed.
My stomach clenches hard when Morgan intercepts the sphere from a Hexrush player near the center line. She’s done that a few times now, but Hexrush haven’t been able to adapt quickly enough to stop her. Rather than trying topass to one of her teammates and risk losing possession, she makes a break for it. And she’s fast. It seems like Hexrush didn’t anticipate this, and Morgan slips through a couple of their defenders.
But Aric is running for her, his arms pumping at his sides, his legs tearing up the distance to his opponent.
Somehow, I find myself on my feet, along with almost everyone else in the stands. Some scream Morgan’s name, others scream Aric’s. I remain silent, focusing on him, twisting my scarf until it tightens around my fingers.
She’s gonna score, I think glumly. She’s justsofast.
But at the last moment, Aric dives, shooting a blast of powerful air magic at Morgan just before she can pass through the goalposts.
She loses her grip on the sphere in the onslaught of wind, and it tumbles from her hands just before the whistle blows, signaling the end of the game.
The Hexrush fans cheer, and even though it’s a tie, a horde still surges down onto the field, sweeping Aric up in their chaos.
I finally let out the breath I was holding, my lungs sore from being so tight for so long.
“That should’ve been a point,” Raelan grumbles. “She wasright there.”
“Right therewasn’t close enough, dragon boy.” Lyra slaps a hand down onto Raelan’s shoulder, ignoring the simmering glare he gives her. Maybe she’s not afraid of his dragon fire since she’s a fire witch; I’m pretty sure I’d combust under the heat of the angry look he’s giving her.
“So, what did you think?” Alina asks, ignoring Lyra and Raelan like she’s used to their bickering. “Did you have a good time?”
I nod, then say, “It’s a lot more intense than I remembered. Is it always this way?”
Alina shakes her head. “No, not really. It’s just like this when Hexrush and the Strikers play. They were the two teams in the finals last year, but the Strikers took the trophy, and now Hexrush fans are eager to win it back.”
“I really hope they do,” Maeve says. “I won’t be able to survive another summer with Aric moping around. He was hopeless.” Her gaze slides toward me, and she tips her head, giving me that catlike look that means she’s up to something. “Maybe I can kick him out and he can stay with you instead.”
Heat rushes through me at the thought of Aric Vandermere being at my house, in myroom. I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“Stop teasing,” Alina says, but even her tone holds a hint of playfulness.
Maeve pushes to her feet and pulls me in for a hug. “Sorry, Pops. I can’t help it.”
I lean back from her and smile, trying to shake off the nervousness that the mere mention of Aric causes in me. “Isn’t he the one who cooks for you? Maybe heshouldcome stay. He’d be a big help at the café.”
Lyra calls from behind me, “Hey, Pops, he could probably help you out in some other ways too.”
I whip around to face her, horrified that she’d saysomething like that in front of everyone, and she’s giving me her mischievous little smile.
