Sebastian POV:
The sun was just starting to dip below the trees as we made our way past Marnie's place, heading toward the woods for what Abigail had dramatically dubbed "The Grand Adventure to the Wizard Tower." Honestly, it sounded like a knock-off fantasy novel, but sure. I lit a cigarette instead of voicing that opinion.
"I'm so excited!" Abigail practically skipped, her energy defying all laws of social awareness.
"I feel like tonight's the night we get murdered," Sam muttered, eyes darting like a horror movie extra who knew too much.
We passed the town square, where Caroline, Jodi, and Marnie were deep in mom gossip. Caroline clocked us.
"Abigail, will you be home for dinner tonight?" she called sweetly.
"Probably not—we're going on an adventure!" Abigail yelled back like we were twelve.
I almost swallowed my cigarette in embarrassment. Sam waved at Jodi. "Hi Mom!" he called out.
She gave a polite smile and wave, clearly more invested in her tea with the other moms than our impending possible deaths.
As we rounded the bend by Haley and Emily's place, we saw Hannah walking toward us. She had that whole ethereal cottagecore vibe going—flowy blue dress, golden sunlight hitting her like she was being filmed in slow motion. It was almost rude how aesthetically pleasing she looked.
"She's always wearing dresses," Abigail whispered, as if this was suspicious behavior that needed investigating.
"Hey guys," Hannah smiled, clearly about to keep it moving, but of course Abigail had to initiate.
"Wanna come with us? We're going to the wizard's tower to, you know, explore... adventurously," Abigail grinned like she was recruiting for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
"I thought this was an adventure," Sam grumbled under his breath.
"Oh! You're visiting Razmodius?" Hannah brightened. "I'd love to, but I've got this dinner thing tonight. Actually—can you tell him I got his letter and I'm still gathering the ingredients?"
Abigail froze. I blinked. Sam stopped mid-step.
"Wait... you talk to the wizard?" Abigail asked, eyes wide like Hannah had just announced she was dating a ghost.
"What are you gathering for him?" I asked, trying to sound casual but fully nosy.
"It's a long story," Hannah said quickly, glancing at the sky like she was late for her fairy godmother duties. "Thanks for passing the message along. Bye Seb." She gave me a separate goodbye, all sweet and subtle.
I'm not saying I blushed or anything dumb like that, but okay—maybe I smiled a little.
"OoOoOh, she said bye Seb," Sam teased immediately.
"What on earth is the new farmer doing with the wizard?" Abigail muttered, half to herself. "Well... at least if we get caught trespassing, we can say we're on official business."
And with that very shaky justification, we headed off toward the tower, armed with curiosity, bad ideas, and zero survival skills.
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Hannah POV:
I was just about to knock on Evelyn's door when I caught a glimpse of Alex standing beside an old, empty doghouse, staring into it like it might whisper back.
Curious, I walked around the side of the house. His green eyes met mine, and just like that, his posture straightened. Classic.
"Hey, Hannah," he said, flashing a crooked grin and casually stretching one arm over his head—just enough to make sure I saw the bicep. Subtle.
"Feeding the dog?" I asked, eyebrow raised.
Alex laughed and pointed to the doghouse. "Ha. Because there's no dog, right? Yeah, he passed away years ago. I was like, nine."
"Oh... I'm sorry," I replied, suddenly feeling bad for the sarcasm.
"Don't be. Circle of life," he shrugged. "Besides, I'd rather be standing here talking to you."
Smooth. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling.
I turned back toward the front door when he caught sight of my bag. "Are those leeks?" he asked, gesturing.
"Yep," I nodded. "Your grandpa's favorite."
Alex sighed. "Not much cheers him up these days, but leeks usually do the trick."
He opened the front door, and we stepped inside. The scent of old perfume and pine cleaner hung in the air. The TV flickered softly from the living room, casting a glow across George's face.
"You made it!" Evelyn beamed as she turned from the sink, drying her hands on a dish towel. She gave me a warm hug. "I see you met my handsome grandson."
I caught Alex leaning in the doorway like he was modeling for a cologne ad, flashing a white-toothed smile. I looked away before I melted into the floor.
"I brought these," I said, setting the burlap bag on the kitchen table. Evelyn's eyes lit up like I'd brought her a winning lottery ticket.
"Oh my goodness! You brought so many! Thank you, dear," she said, pulling me in for a second hug. "George, I'm making your favorite—leek omelets!"
"Finally," George grumbled from the living room.
I glanced at Alex, but he quickly looked away.
"I'm gonna hop in the shower," he said, disappearing down the hall. I blinked after him, trying to shake the image of that smile out of my brain. What was that?
"I also brought some fresh eggs from the farm," I told Evelyn, trying to sound normal.
"Oh, sweetheart, you're an angel," she said, patting my arm. "George is going to be so happy—even if he won't show it. That man could win the lottery and still complain about the taxes."
We laughed, and for the first time in a while, I felt... comfortable.
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Alex POV:
I made a beeline for the bathroom like my life depended on it. Honestly, it kind of did—at least the part where I don't say something completely awkward and ruin everything. Hannah was in the kitchen, looking like she belonged on the cover of a soft indie album, and I was over here trying not to forget how to form full sentences.
She's the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on. Which is exactly why I had to remove myself from the situation. Immediately. Also, I smelled like the inside of a gym sock after my workout, so a shower was necessary for everyone's safety.
Steam curled around me as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. My hair dripped onto the tiled floor as I stared into the mirror, trying to get it together. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a framed photo on the wall—me and Mom when I was little. She had the biggest, brightest smile. I miss that smile. I miss her. I'm grateful for my grandparents—don't get me wrong—but some days, that hole she left feels massive.
I opened the bathroom door... and collided straight into someone.
Correction: Hannah.
"Oh my God—I'm so sorry!" she gasped, immediately covering her eyes like she'd just walked in on a crime scene.
I couldn't help but laugh. "did you forget I went to shower?" I asked, eyebrow raised.
"I—yes! But I thought you meant another bathroom—I didn't think this was... I didn't know, okay?" she stammered, flustered and mortified.
"Don't be shy," I said with a teasing wink. "It's just skin."
"Yeah, your skin, and like... all of it," she mumbled, refusing to lift her eyes from the floor. Her face was tomato-red, and I'm pretty sure mine wasn't far behind.
The steam from the bathroom was still billowing out like we were in the middle of a soap commercial, and my cologne must've decided to make a dramatic entrance of its own.
"I think I'll just... wait," she said, turning quickly in the other direction.
I chuckled and headed down the hall. I didn't have to look back to know she was staring. I could feel it.
And yeah, okay—I maybe flexed just a little more than necessary on the way to my room.
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Hannah POV:
I was just trying to find the bathroom.
Not fall face-first into a shirtless, towel-wrapped Alex like the opening scene of some cheesy romance movie.
God, why didn't anyone warn me that his entire torso looks like it was sculpted by ancient Greek artists with daddy issues? And the towel?! The towel was barely hanging on. My life flashed before my eyes—and then paused right there for longer than I'd care to admit.
I covered my eyes the second I realized what I was seeing. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry," I blurted, as if shielding my face could undo what had already been burned into my brain forever.
He laughed. He laughed.
"Did you forget I went to shower?" he asked, in that smug, knowing tone that made me want to both evaporate and punch him.
"I thought you meant, like, another bathroom! I didn't know this one was—occupied," I rambled, eyes locked firmly on the floor, where it was safe.
"Don't be shy," he said with a wink. A wink. Like this was normal.
The steam from the bathroom was still pouring out behind him, like we were standing in the middle of a very dramatic cologne commercial. Speaking of—which one was he wearing? Because I was about two seconds from blacking out from how good he smelled.
"I think I'll just... wait," I said, because what else was I supposed to say? "Sorry for walking in on your towel moment, now if you'll excuse me while I go scream into a pillow"? Didn't seem quite right.
As he walked down the hallway, I made the mistake of glancing up. Yep. Still shirtless. Still smug. And did he just flex? No. He wouldn't. He did.
I stood frozen outside the bathroom door for a good thirty seconds after he disappeared, trying to reboot my brain like an old Windows computer.
Note to self: Never go looking for the bathroom in someone else's house without a map, a compass, and at least one emotional support friend.
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