Page 146 of Mistaken Magic

"Thisone's mine,"Liamsaid. "Giveher space,Brack."

Brackenrocked back on his heels, andIclosed my eyes, unsure ifIwanted to die or not.Thenagain,Iwas the one who'd come here.I'dpsyched myself up for this, toldAspenIhad other plans, andIknewIneeded to talk to someone.Icouldn't very well talk to my girlfriend abouther,andLiamwas cool.Brackenwas just as amazing.Thewhole teacher thing was weird, but this was a weird school, soIwas just rolling with it.

"It'skinda hard to balance, right?"Liamasked. "Youhave this person with you, and most of the world thinks it's not what it is.Youhang out, you laugh, and everyone assumes you're just friends.Forme, they thoughtI'dfound a fellow nerd.Someprep school prick, they'd joke, never realizing he was my boyfriend.Iwas too scared to say otherwise."

"AndIcan't because of the rules,"Iagreed.

Liamnodded. "Butdo you feel it?Imean, is she just a friend or do you feel that desire?"

"Ifeel it,"Itold him. "IknowI'mnot supposed to talk to you about sex, but you're kinda the only personIhave..."Ilet the last word trail off.

"Talkto me about sex,"Liaminsisted. "Rain,I'myour uncle.Maybenot by blood, butIam currently your legal guardian.Ifyou can't talk to me, then what adult can you talk to?"

Ilicked my lips to keep the dry mouth at bay, and nodded. "So, like, whenIwas with a guy, it was kinda intimidating, but mostly becauseIdidn't really know.Imean,Iknew what would happen, but not what it would be like.ButwithAspen,Idon't even know that.IknowIwant to.AndIget the impression she does, but we kinda stop at kissing, and then we cuddle."

"Nothingwrong with that," he assured me.

Iswallowed nervously. "Butwhat ifIdo it and don't like it?Whatif she decides she doesn't like me?WhatifI'm...Idunno, like wrong?WhatifI'mconfusing friendship for something else?MaybeI'mjust lonely?Shewas the first person to be nice to me, andIknowIowe her..."

"Doesit feel like you're paying a debt?" he countered.

Ishook my head. "Itfeels like everything is right whenI'maround her.Shemakes me feel so alive.Iwant to beat the shit out ofHarperfor givingAspencrap.Iwant to hold her hand in the halls, andIjust...Idon't know whatI'mdoing, and all of this is perfect, andI'mso scared thatI'vejust been given everythingI'veever wanted andI'mgoing to mess it up!WhatifIruin all of this?"

"Oh,Rain," he breathed, crossing the room to crouch before me and pull me up against him in the biggest hug. "Noone is going to take this from you."

"Itfeels likeIfinally have a home,"Isaid, the tears starting to well up in my eyes. "Allmy life, the momentIstart to like things,Iget moved again.Ihave triedso hard,Liam!"Thefirst sniff broke out. "Don'tyou get it?Idon't even do things and itstill happens.Noone wants me!Noone has ever cared about anything other than the check they get for keeping me.Imean, one family did, but then they had to move, and now..."

Damnit, the tears were falling, soIpressed my face against his shoulder. "IknowSilverOakscan kick me out, andIknowI'mnot really supposed to be here, andI'mnot magic.I'mnot even special, except thatJacklikes me.I'mjust scared that ifImess up withAspen, then this will go away too.She'sallIhave, andIdon't know how to make this work, soI'mterrifiedI'mgoing to ruin itall."

"Shh," he breathed, rubbing my back. "Oh,Rain,Iwill always fight for you, ok?Igot you, sweetie."

"Jack..." my bird said softly, leaning in to nuzzle my hair. "Rain..."

"Butyou're not enough,"ItoldLiam, reaching up to pet the back ofJack'shead. "I'mnot special, andI'mfalling for the girl who got me into this school, and ifImess that up,I'mgone.IknowI'mgone."Ileaned back to wipe my eyes. "Sowhat shouldIdo,Liam?"

Hecaught the side of my face and used his thumb to wipe away the tears. "Youshould be a teenager,Rain.Fallin love.Fallout of love.IfIhave to,Iwill fight for you to stay here."Heducked his head to look me right in the eyes. "Igive you my word.Ican't make that binding, butIknow you understand how important that promise is."

Inodded, sniffing again. "Yeah.It'smagical whentheydo it."

"It'smagical when we do too, sweetie - because we know the importance of truth.Ifyou likeAspen, then don't hold back.Don'ttry to play it safe this time.Foronce in your life, fall in love, get in trouble, andI'lldo everythingIcan to smooth it all out."

"Hey,"Brackenbreathed, moving to squat besideLiam. "Youfaced theHuntfor us.Iwill use that ifIhave to, but you shouldn't have to worry about this."

"Nothow it works for foster kids,"Liamtold him. "Homeis a temporary thing at best, and also the biggest dream.It'snot something they can find easily."

"That,"Isaid, gesturing toLiam.

"Youare one of my warriors,"Brackentold me. "Iwant to put you in training to be a sentinel likeKeir.Rain, sometimes being human makes youmorespecial than the rest of us.Asyour teacher,Idon't want to lose you."Thenhe reached over and wrapped his arm aroundLiam'sshoulder. "Andas your family,Idon't either.You'rea good kid.Abrave one, andIdon't think you have anything to worry about."

Inodded. "EvenifIpiss offAspenbecause we don't work out and she wants me gone?"

Brackenslid his hand down the back of my head. "Believeit or not,Ihave a little sway over my niece.Iwill use it ifIhave to.Shealso owes me a favor, andIwill burn it for you."

"Really?"Iasked. "Wait, she's your niece?"

Henodded. "Notmany people know that, but yes, our mothers were related.Shealso owes me."

"Brack..."Liambreathed. "That'snot something you want to offer lightly."

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