“So this is where you’ve been hiding!” Dee’s voice rang like wind chimes in a storm in Maddy’s ears.

“Dee, please lower your voice,” He gestured with his hands as she approached him.

Maddy noted that today she was wearing her “Y2K meets toy story” outfit. It consisted of bright green, neon headphones around her neck, a white cropped tee with red stitching on the edges of the sleeves and around the neck hole. The words Pizza Planet were printed in the same red as the outer stitching. Her faded jeans were fairly simple, tight at the waist and then flared at the bottom. Her hair was split down the middle and placed into two buns, save for a few strands to frame her face and a few two many hair clips.

“If this school is still cashing in on my tuition money, then I can talk as loud as I want.”

“Sure,” He concurs. “But I have a headache.”

“You’re still not feeling well?” She reached out to touch his face, prodding him like an avocado, uncertain if he was too ripe, or not.

“I tried to tell you last night.” Maddy paused. He wasn’t in the mood to talk about spells in front of Greyson, especially not after what he just said.

Dee dropped her hands and focused her attention over his shoulder, smiling at Greyson. “Hi, long time no see!”

“Hello again,” His tone was low and playful. He must have been in her speaking in her anthro class. What does he even talk about? The different flavors of human?

… Probably not.

Maddy pinched his lips together, having his back turned away from the Stranger, and watching a blush creep on Dee’s face he could only assume he winked at her, flashed a smile showing off his dimples, or something in a similar manner. He cleared his throat.

Dee returned her gaze back at him. Twelve years of friendship made it easy for her to pick up on his intent to change the subject. “Well, I have the perfect cure for sickness. Alcohol!”

Suddenly talking about his spell snapping didn’t seem like such a bad topic. “Dee, I don’t really feel like drinking.”

“Yeah, but Alfonozo’s party is tomorrow night and I know it will turn that frown upside down.” She poked at his chest playfully.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Maddy pressed his lips in a firm line, his gaze focused on the people passing the office. Maybe for someone like Dee, a distraction was what she needed. But all he wanted to do was go to the park with her. Sit on his favorite bench, on the edge of the forest and just talk.

When was the last time they’d done that? He tried to recall, but it was like trying to stream a show with bad wifi, only bits and pieces of the memory would buffer, and his stomach began to churn.

Was this another spell?

“Oh and before you start feeling left out,” Dee said not skipping a beat, “You’re coming, too.”

“What?” Maddy looked down at Dee, her eyes fixed on Greyson.

“Really?” He arched a brow, the word coming out in almost a purr.

Maddy finally turned so that he was facing both of them. “He’s not even a student?”

“Who cares?” Dee scrunched up her face. “This isn’t high school.”

“He could narc.” Wasn’t that the reason he couldn’t sneak into her house in the first place? Greyson would tell?

Dee’s brows furrowed, her button nose scrunching. Twelve years of friendship also made it easy for them to catch each other on their crap. She probably wants to use the party as an excuse to get some.

“I’ve never been to a human party before,” Greyson looked over at Dee thoughtfully. He rolled up his sleeves and glanced back at Maddy. “It could be fun.”

Maddy swallowed a scoff. Great now he had to go.

His nose gave a twitch. Bergamot and earth. Whatever comeback he had for Greyson got stuck on his tongue. He snapped his gaze to Dee. “Your father.”

“I know.” She was already making her way to the window. Drawing the curtains she added, “I could sense him, we’ve got a couple of minutes.”

“What’s going on?” Greyson asked, a puzzled look crossing his face.

“Maddy and Daddy, don’t get along very well,” Dee explained as Maddy lifted the window. The office was atop a hill on the first floor so all he had to do was step through it.

“We still need to talk.” Maddy insisted straddling the frame. “Come to Bill’s tonight.”

Dee looked over to Greyson and then back at Maddy. “I’ll try. Oh, I almost forgot.” She shuffled through her tote bag and pulled out a container. “They’re I’m-sorry-I-ditched-you-last-night cupcakes.”

“What?” Deep grooves etched onto his face as he took the container. This was the second time she was ditching him for the Stranger.

He glared at Greyson, who gave him a wink in return.

“Go!” Dee urged, pushing him gently. “Daddy’s right around the corner.”

Maddy climbed the rest of the way out, his heart feeling heavy in his chest. Dee drew the curtains back down again and he could just hear Dr. Tarkirk entering the office.

“Adrianna?” He heard the deep voice of Dr. Tarkirk and on instinct started making his way down the hill and away from the campus.