“I thought you were set on finding yourself. Fencing is a part of you, a part you know you love. You should go enjoy it.”
I give her a pointed look. “Are you just trying to get rid of me so you can go and spend time with the guys?” I retort, and she turns away from me, her silence answer enough, but I know I've already relented.
Typing out a message, I hit send.
Ivy: Okay
Before I can even put my device back on my nightstand, a knock comes from the door. Ember squeals with delight, darting through the wood without a second glance, before returning a moment later, beaming from ear to ear.
“He looks cute today,” she declares gleefully, and I roll my eyes.
“Stop,” I insist again as I approach the door, bewildered by the fact that he's here already.
Opening the door, it reveals the blonde Water Protector on the other side. I find a hint of amusement in his gaze as he cocks a brow at me.
“Are you saying I don't look cute every day?” he clarifies, and Ember snickers.
“I didn't say that,” she sings, and he tilts his head at me.
I lift my hands in surrender. “I didn't say anything at all,” I mutter, and he winks.
“You didn'tdenyit either.”
Shaking my head, I take a backward step. “I think I've changed my mind,” I blurt, and he smiles.
“We both know you haven't, Princess. Get your bag and let's go.”
My eyes land on the bag by the door, the one I already pulled out with hopes of attending today, revealing just how interested I already was. Before I can reach for it, he grabs it, hiking it over his shoulder as he offers a wave to Ember and steps out into the hall.
He doesn't look back as he marches for the stairs, disappearing from sight as I close the door after him, only for me to find him waiting at the entrance to get out.
“How did you get in here to begin with?”
“Archer,” he mutters, and I huff.
“I swear, you guys are conspiring against me,” I insist, planting my hand on his shoulder as we step through the flames. “Where's your bag?” I ask, realizing that he's only balancing mine, and he shrugs.
“I already dropped it off,” he explains, his eyes lingering on where my hand touches his shoulder, and I quickly drop it to my side.
Before I can get too caught up in it, I tilt my face toward the sun once more as excitement floods through me, and I bask in the gentle heat.
“You look beautiful today, Ivy,” he murmurs, and I shake my head, falling into step with him.
“Stop. Flattery won't work. I already agreed to come,” I mutter, and he grins.
“I still can appreciate you, especially now,” he states, making my eyebrows pinch.
“Now?” I repeat, and he shrugs. “What does that mean?” I push, and he shakes his head.
“Nothing.” He wipes his hand over his mouth, and I can't stop myself from feeding the curiosity that thrums through me.
“Teddy,” I warn, and he shakes his head again.
“I don't know, you’re just different,” he admits, and my eyes narrow.
“Different how?”
“It’s not bad,” he insists, lifting his free hand in surrender.
