Page 55 of Our Little Moments

I want those patterns to stop, and I’m willing to reach out for help now. Which is what I’ll do as soon as we come back to their town.

“Hazel . . . Why do you think I had a panic attack like that minutes ago? I never had one, and I don’t understand why it would happen now, especially when my life was so much more stressful back home.”

She sighs. “I don’t have all the answers, but I think it’s because you’re allowing yourself to feel your emotions now. When you first got here, you seemed disconnected. Like you’d cut off your emotions. But now, you’re working on being happier and allowing yourself to find more joy. You’re feeling your emotions. Anxiety, panic, and fear are all emotions that we feel. They don’t make us weak, but they make us human.”

I smile. “That’s beautiful, Hazel.”

She grins at me. “I had days to think about why you seemed so much happier and radiant now, so I had the answer ready for a while.”

A branch cracks close to us, and we turn around at the same time to find Layla.

“Hey, girls! I’ve been looking for you both everywhere! What happened?” she asks, her worried eyes scanning us from head to toe.

I smile as my heart warms.

“Yeah, everything’s good, Layla,” Hazel says with a grin.

Around Layla and Hazel, I can’t help but feel anything but alone. These women understand me in more ways than one, and having them around me makes the possibility of disrupting their trip a faraway memory.

Because I know they want me here.

Layla hugs us both from behind. “You know I’m here if any of you need to talk, right? Hazel?” Her face turns in Hazel’s direction, and I stare at both of them. “I know some things have been tense between us but . . .” Her voice cracks and, without even thinking about it, my hand reaches out to hold Layla’s. “I want you to know that I’m there for you. You can talk to me, okay?” Both of their gazes turn to me, and I feel exposed. Vulnerable.

“Stella.” Layla’s voice softens, and Hazel smiles warmly at me. “I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by our thoughts. You’re not alone. I’m your friend, and you can talk about those things to me, because . . .” Tears fill her eyes, and she stops speaking. A tear slips through Hazel’s eyes, and my own vision gets blurry.

God, this is such a heartfelt moment, and all of us are about to cry.

I launch myself in their arms. We’re all crying in each other’s arms, and I’m shielded from the world. Nothing can reach me with those women around.

I barely register Isabella coming to join us, wrapping her arms around us, warmth settling in from her magic.

They’ve taken such a special place in my heart in only a few days. They make me feel seen and understood even in silence and comfort me without me having to ask.

“Because we’re your friends, Stella,” Layla whispers in my ear, and my heart feels overloaded with more love than I thought possible. “We’re here for you when you need us, and we’ll keep being there for you, whether we’re in the same town or not,” Layla finishes.

We stay in this group hug silently long after our tears are dried and smiles take their place.

Chapter 21

Stella

“Why am I letting you all drag me into these ridiculous ideas?” Isabella whines, but even her complaint has a playful edge.

I laugh despite myself. About an hour ago, we’d all decided to explore what the camp had to offer. Jay found a creek and somehow convinced all of us to hang out around it.

Layla had looked at us, a wicked smile on her face. Seconds later, water was flying around, drenching us all completely. Hazel and I started laughing and splashing everyone.

We’re perched on rocks now, each of us catching our breath, our eyes darting around as we wait for the next splash.

The creek flows peacefully around us. The only sounds are the rush of the water, the warm summer air, and the thrum of my own heartbeat. The game has started, and no one can hide from the splash war that Layla started with her magic.

The sun filters through the trees, casting dappled light across the creek. The air is warm, but the water, fresh from themountains, is cold against our skin, making every splash feel like a jolt of electricity. The rocks are slick underfoot, making every movement feel precarious and thrilling. We’re all on edge, just one spark away from another round of total chaos.

I feel like a kid again. Ahappykid. A giddy, carefree one, with cheeks that ache from the endless grinning.

The circle of rocks we’re perched on almost feels like a stage, each of us playing our part. Sam, a friend Layla invited to come with us, is a little further out, away from the main action. Nate and Hazel are positioned next to each other, but too far from me to strike.

Isabella and Adrian are laser-focused on Jay, who I’ve had a silent truce with. Which is perfect because it keeps me safe from these two and I don’t have someone who can control the wind targeting me.

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