Page 33 of Our Little Moments

Hazel laughs. “You’re far from being the only one. I did too. So did Adrian. Layla is the only lucky one of us with ‘straight-to-the-point kind of simple’ powers. Despite that, she still lost them and had to master them again. All of our powers are complex and unique—that’s where their beauty comes from.”

I smile at her. “You should talk more often—you’re wiser than you let on. Maybe your siblings could use some of your wisdom.”

She huffs and turns around. “My siblings aren’t interested in hearing any of my wisdom.”

I follow her. “I’m sure they are.”

She turns around to face me, sighing. “If you think so.”

Hazel and I spend the rest of the morning in her shop, with her showing me more of her magic and us sharing anecdotes, until we’re interrupted.

The door gently opens behind us, and I can’t see who comes in since I have my back to the door, but I see Hazel’s face light up.

“Hey, Nate! Come in.”

I turn around to see Nate. This man stands tall, and his eyes are green, reminding me of the leaves on trees. His green eyesremind me of Adrian’s, although they don’t make me feel like the world is fading away—

Wait, what was that?

I shake the thought away and focus on Hazel and Nate.

“So, what brings you here?” Her voice is all sunshine, and it makes me smile. She’s practically beaming.

“I didn’t see you come out of your shop this morning. So I brought you lunch. We both know you have a tendency to get lost here.”

Hazel smiles and laughs as she looks at me with sparkling eyes, explaining softly, “Yeah, I do tend to get lost here and forget about food.”

Nate smiles warmly at her. “Which is why I’m here.”

“Thanks.” She grabs the bag and turns to me, realization filling her eyes. “Wait! I forgot to introduce you two.” She laughs quietly, like she’s laughing at herself. “Stella, this is Nate. He’s my best friend. Nate, this is Stella. She’s new to town . . .”

Nate smiles at her, and she smiles back, like both of them understand each other in the silence. I can’t decipher what that silence at the end means, but clearly Nate does.

He turns in my direction and offers me his hand. “I’m not used to seeing people travel here. But it’s an honor to meet you. If Hazel chooses to spend time with you, you must be something special.”

I extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Nate. I’m not sure about the special part though.”

Nate chuckles as he shakes my hand. “Hazel doesn’t spend time with a lot of people.”

“Hey! I spend a lot of time with nine different people. That’s a lot of people.”

He chuckles. “What I mean is she doesn’t spend time with just anybody. So if she chose to spend time withyou, it’s because you’re someone important.”

I smile.

“Well, since you’ve been so insightful and pointed out my friend’s importance, you should leave us alone,” Hazel tells her best friend, her tone full of amusement and a wild smile on her face. “Go!”

Both of them laugh as he heads out of the shop.

I clear my throat. “What wasthat? You were . . . different around him.”

Hazel’s smile turns sadder. “Let’s just say there is a reason I’m different around him.”

I try to choose my words carefully, mindful not to put distance between me and her. “What’s the story behind that?”

Her smile turns a bit happier, and I take it as a win. “We’ve been friends all our lives.”

“You’re lucky to have each other.” I smile at her.

---