Page 20 of Campfires & Canines
"Woah there!" Onyx holds up his hands in mock self-defense. “Maybe grab life by something less sensitive.”
"Sorry, I think I'm a little tipsy." Hazel giggles, taking another sip of her cider.
"Don't worry, I have no intention of going near your..." She wiggles her fingers in his direction.
I snort, almost choking on my drink. Onyx screws up his face in a silly attempt at a scowl.
Marigold holds out her second marshmallow, perfectly golden. "Here, have the Marigold special." Hazel accepts it, her eyes rolling back in her head with a groan as she takes a bite. My breath catches and my blood heats in my veins. Why am I jealous of a marshmallow?
"I meant to ask: doyouhave any tattoos?" Marigold asks, grabbing a second bottle for herself.
"Oh, no. Jeremy didn't like them." She pauses, frowning.
"What is wrong with that dude?" I grumble.
"A lot. We established that," Marigold quips.
Hazel purses her lips. "You know, I always wanted one."
"What would you get?" I can't help but ask. I’m greedy for the answer, already imagining artwork across her skin. Something delicate.
She fiddles with her ring again, hesitating before answering. "Um, I kind of like the idea of the phases of the moon."
The group falls quiet for a second.
"Oh, that's an interesting choice. Why that?" Marigold asks casually.
"I like witchy stuff, like reading paranormal romance books. And Halloween is my favorite holiday," Hazel explains. "I've always wanted to be a spooky bitch."
Even Cedar laughs.
"Yeah, definitely tipsy." She presses her fingers to her eyebrows with a guilty smile.
"Sounds like you need a third," Onyx starts to say, but I cut him off.
"We should call it a night." I set my drink down.
"You should get a tattoo if you want to. Slate can do it while you're here," Marigold suggests.
Hazel regards me again. "I would love that."
"Yeah, no problem," I find myself answering. "I'm off tomorrow afternoon, or we could find time next week." Bad idea, but I can't say no to her. Maybe she'll change her mind.
"Let's do it tomorrow if that's okay with you?" she says.
Marigold clinks her glass bottle down and stands. "Okay, spooky bitches, I'm beat. And I have to wrangle a pack of little monsters tomorrow."
Hazel sighs. "Me too. I mean, not the monsters part. Oh, speaking of, I'd love to see your classroom sometime."
"Ooh, that would be fun!" Marigold claps her hands together. "Want to have lunch tomorrow?"
"Yes, please." Hazel smooths her sweater and stands.
I leap up. "Let me walk you home to your cabin."
"You know, I am capable of getting places without your assistance,” she grumbles.
No way I'm letting her turn down my help. The trees block out most of the moonlight and she's not familiar with our woods. Besides, I'd follow her home like a puppy anyway to make sure she's safe.
