31 Days of August 2021

Kiara was in an uncontrollable rage. 

Sebastian had tried everything he could think of to calm the woman, but her anger knew no bounds. 

He brought Calliope in hoping she would be able to help and now he had two women enraged with him. 

He didn’t know which was worse. 

Where Kiara had a blazing inferno for a temper, Calliope was all cold stares of pure ice. Weeks of this were starting to take their toll.

“You do not hold any type of power here,” Kiara seethed. “How dare you come into my private quarters and take one of my subjects as a prisoner.”

Sebastian had explained what felt like a million times. To her and Calliope.

He had to hold Lilianna to her actions. She tried to kill Kiara. And told him where to find the evidence of her crimes. How could he not do something? And how could she- how could they both still defend her when both of them had to go into hiding because of her actions?

Of course he didn’t believe her words of trying to bring Kiara back from the dead. That was impossible. He just couldn’t believe she managed to convince Kiara to still defend her despite what had occurred. Her and Calliope, who also had to fake her death. Because of course Kiara knew that Calliope was next in line for throne and knew she had to die too in order for her to rule.

“The only thing Lilianna is guilty of is being insecure,” Kiara told him, voice even and slowly losing its heat. “She doesn’t deserve to rot in prison for that.”

She sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. Sebastian noticed a dark brown section of her hair, brows furrowing slightly.

“And if she deserves to be in prison then so do I,” Kiara said.

Sebastian’s attention snapped back to the royal at her words.

“You have done nothing wrong,” he said, coming to her. “You’re not the one who tried to murder Lilianna!”

“But I did nothing to ease her mind and instead I used her until there was nothing left.”

Calliope placed a hand on her shoulder, murmuring in her ear. Kiara nodded at whatever she said. The teen sat back up, looking at Sebastian.

“Get her out of there,” she commanded him. “As Princess of this kingdom, I demand you release Lilianna from imprisonment.”

Sebastian bowed his head. “I’m sorry Princess, but I do not follow your orders.”

“Then follow mine.”

Kiara stared up at the man. “As Queen, I demand Lilianna be released.”

The man sighed. There was no way of reaching her. So he did what she told him to do. He left the room and headed for the prison.

It took no time at all to reach the place, but Sebastian dreaded every bit of the trek. He just couldn’t wrap his head around all of this. There had to be something he was missing. Because there were so many pieces that weren’t coming together. Where was Amelia and Calix? He could’ve asked them. Maybe they would know.

“Good evening sir,” the prison warden greeted when he walked in. “What are you here for?”

“I’m here to see a prisoner,” Sebastian answered. “Lilianna.”

The older man nodded, stroking his beard.

“Ah yes. The attempted queen slayer,” he responded. “I’ll take you to her.”

The man stood up from his perch and led the man down the hall. They went up two flights of stairs and then when they reached the end of the way, the warden pulled out some keys.

“When you’re ready to come out, just knock three times and then twice and I’ll unlock the door.”

Sebastian nodded. The warden unlocked the door and pushed it open. 

Sebastian walked in, immediately catching Lilianna’s gaze. She was sitting up in her bed, reading a book.

“What are you doing here?” she questioned as she closed her book. “You shouldn’t and don’t need to be here.”

The man didn’t answer, just simply took a seat and sat across from her.

“Why did you tell me about what you had done?”

Lilianna hummed as she shifted in her seat. Sebastian took in the woman. Despite being imprisoned for over two weeks she still seemed to have her wits about her. Normally people would be crawling up the walls, begging to be released. Or killed. And that would be after a few days.

“Because I needed to tell you so I could be punished,” the woman answered. “And you would be the only one to carry it out.”

Sebastian nodded, running a hand over his hair. Lilianna took in the man, noticing the exhausted look on his face.

“Kiara fighting you about me being here?”

“Her and Calliope,” the man responded. “I don’t know what kind of hold you have on them but they are adamant you don’t belong here.” 

He let out a heavy sigh.

“Kiara wants you to be released,” Sebastian told her, grunting quietly as he moved around. “That’s actually what I’m here to do.”

Lilianna shook her head, lacing her fingers together.

“She needs to stop trying to get me out. I belong here.”

Sebastian nodded.

“I agree. You committed a crime and you need to pay for it.”

He leaned back in his chair with a groan.

“To be frank with you, I think lifetime imprisonment is too kind and generous for what you’ve done. Not only did you try to murder your queen and her sister. But they were your friends. Kiara was your best friend.”

“You’re right that they were my friends but I disagree on one thing,” Lilianna retorted lightly. “Death would be too kind. I need to think about this for the rest of my life.”

She looked up at the ceiling pensively, Sebastian doing it too. They took note of the water leaking from above, the cracks and jagged edges of the stones that it comprised. Her new home.

“Eventually I’ll be driven mad and then and only then will death be a just punishment.”

She then turned her attention back to the man.

“So tell Kiara that I will be staying right here and for her to stop trying to change that fact.”

Sebastian nodded and stood up. “Very well then.”

He went over to the woman and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Farewell Lady Lilianna.”

She gave it a pat.

“Goodbye Sebastian.”

When he looked into her eyes, he didn’t see a person that would kill her friend. Kill someone she loved. Something was off about the whole thing. But the conviction in Lilianna’s voice made him not want to press. Whatever it was held Lilianna to this decision. And there was nothing and no one that was going to change that. But as he knocked three times and then twice more, he wanted Lilianna released too.

Because something inside of him told him she didn’t deserve this.

None of them did. 

Whatever broke all of them apart damaged their relationships with each other forever. 

  “Where am I?”

Olivia groaned lightly as she sat up, rubbing at her face. She blinked blearily and looked around her surroundings.

It was hard to see at first but then her eyes adjusted to the darkness and shook off the haze.

Right in front of her was a candlelit path leading to a warm orange glow. 

Worry scratched at the back of the woman’s mind, but nonetheless she stood up and headed to the light.

When she walked, that’s when Olivia realized where she was. Or rather where this dream wanted her to be.

She was inside the old Smithard Building. But why was she brought here? 

She looked down at herself.

And why was she dressed in a white lace dress?

She shook her head and kept going.

“Hello?”

She didn’t get a response and Olivia didn’t know if she should be relieved or not.

Nonetheless, she made it to the end of the hall. And when she looked at the center of the room, her eyes widened.

“Jasmine!”

Before she could take another step, she couldn’t move, leaving her to stare at the other woman.

She was just standing there, staring blankly ahead.

“Jasmine!” Olivia called out. “What’s going on?”

No reply. Olivia fought against her invisible binds, trying to reach the blonde. 

She struggled even harder when she saw a dark haired figure slowly walking towards Jasmine.

“Jasmine! What are you doing?! Run!”

Panic and dread set in when she realized the other woman was unconscious.

She must've been sleepwalking again.

“Jasmine! Wake up!” 

Her pleas feel on deaf ears, watching in horror as the figure stood behind Jasmine, hands reaching out.

Olivia was freaking out, still yelling for Jasmine to wake up.

Eventually Jasmine’s eyes shot open, her stance relaxing in the figure’s grasp instead of tensing to Olivia's complete confusion.

“Jasmine?”

Both Jasmine and the figure turned to face her.

“Do not worry Liv.”

Olivia could hear her heart racing in her ears.

The figure was a black-haired Jasmine. 

But instead of the deep brown eyes Olivia knew, they were bright, glowing blues.

“We are fine,” they stated in unison. 

“We are getting bigger and bigger, wonderous you.”

Olivia’s brows furrowed. It was those strange words again.

“What does that mean?”

“You will know when you need to know,” Dark Haired Jasmine replied.

“But-”

Olivia blacked out before she could say anymore.

When she woke up from her dream, Olivia was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

“W-what the hell was that?”

"I swear she's real! She literally walked me home!"

Natasha wasn't crazy. She knew for a fact that Jia was real. There was no way she wasn't.

But she was having a had time convincing her friend Summer. The two had been sitting in the university main lounge for a few hours, Natasha recounting everything that had happened three nights ago. Hours spent convincing a brick wall.

"I don't know Tasha," the blond said apprehensively. "Maybe those beers hit a bit harder than you thought."

"I've been way more trashed than I was last night and haven't hallucinated a WHOLE PERSON Summer."

The woman shrugged. "Maybe someone...slipped you something?"

Natasha groaned, rubbing her temples.

"For the millionth time, no Summer I was not roofied."

"So I'm just supposed to believe that a woman dressed in a yellow ballgown with a tiara-a princess- walked you home at one in the morning?"

"Yes. Because that's what happened!"

Now it was time for Summer to rub at her face.

"So here's the part you haven't explained yet."

Summer held out her hand. 

"Why on God's green earth would someone dressed like that be out at one in the morning? I mean school hasn't started yet so it can't be any sorority stuff."

Natasha opened her mouth to respond but then closed it. That was actually a good question. And a question she didn't have an answer to.

She didn't think to ask her.

"Well when I see her again, I'll ask."

"Yes. Well when you see your Yellow Princess Hallucination, ask her how you're going to meet up again since you didn't exchange contact info even though cellphones are rather commonplace these days."

Natasha rolled her eyes at her friend's dry tone.

"Are you done?"

"Oh! Maybe because she's a princess, phones don't exist to her. Maybe you should be expecting a letter with a lock of her hair in it. Sent by a bird or something."

"I guess you're not done."

"Is she going to expect you to slay a dragon and rescue her from her tower too? Give you a token of her affections?"

"You're an ass."

"Yeah I know. But I'm going to be the ass that helps you find your princess."

Natasha gaped. "Really? You're going to help me?"

Summer nodded.

"Yep. But only to prove that she isn't real."

"You're on."

“It is really that time of the election year already?”

Abigail dumped another thick folder on Veronica’s desk, adding to the constantly growing pile.

“Yep.”

The representative sighed as she picked up the folder closest to her.

Re-election Data Part 1 of 18

She couldn’t believe another election was already almost here.

“Can I skip all of this and just write my victory speech?” Veronica asked, opening and casually scanning the contents. Only the page with the people that took the polling. No actual numbers. Veronica tsk’d.

“That would certainly make my life and job easier but no I can’t let you do that,” Abigail replied.

She then placed a newspaper down and pointed to the main article on the front.

“You’ve got a challenger. And it’s an old, familiar face.”

The older woman lowered the folder to look. When she took it in and saw the name, her eyes widened.

“Matthews is trying to come back?!”

The woman threw the folder on the desk and quickly scooped up the newspaper. She read it over and over, but no matter what, the words remained the same. They still said in the black ink,

Previous District Representative Alex Matthews Running for Office Again

Veronica groaned. “This is a nightmare.”

She turned to Abigail.

“I thought I was against Grant again?”

The secretary shook her head.

“Grant dropped out according to the article,” she answered. “Heard Matthews wanted back in and “graciously” stepped aside to let the man with more experience run.”

She scoffed. “Probably more like bullied out of running.”

Veronica covered her face with her hand. The last thing she needed was this. Matthews was relentless. The only reason she won her previous elections was because she didn’t have to run against him. A belief that aggravated Veronica to no end. And it was only because he had blown so much smoke in the district’s face that they didn’t see him for the incompetent nightmare he actually was. But adoration always trumped common sense.

“Is my schedule clear for today because-”

A knock on the door interrupted. But before Veronica could respond, it swung open.

“Your people out front should really learn some manners.”

Veronica held back the urge to groan in annoyance. This day couldn’t possibly get any worse.

Walking in like he owned the place and was summoned with the thought of his name.

“Representative Matthews,” the woman greeted. “What a surprise.”

There he was in all his “glory”. Tall. Sandy blond hair balding and turning gray. Smug and condescending grin plastered on a much too tan face. Teeth blindingly white, Veronica was almost tempted to pull her shades out of her bag. Dress shirt the loudest paisley print she had ever seen.

And now he was the sharpest thorn in her side.

She tossed the newspaper in her hand on the ground and motioned for him to have a seat.

“So what can I help you with today?”

“Well you can start by gettin’ me a drink,” Matthews answered, voice thick with his Southern drawl.

He faced Abigail.

“Do you mind fetching me a drink Darlin’? Anything strong or stiff’ll do.”

The redhead nodded with a smile but once she was behind the man she rolled her eyes, headed to the bar tucked in the corner.

“So I see you redecorated,” Matthews commented, taking a look around. “I guess that’s why you never came to talk with me.”

Veronica didn’t know what to say to the man besides the brutal truth. The fact of the matter was she felt like it was unnecessary to talk to him. She hated the way he conducted himself. During the transition meetings, Matthews was highly unprofessional and downright annoying. To make things worse, he didn’t give her any useful information or helpful notes about the job. The only worthwhile guidance she got was from Matthews’ assistant Delilah before she retired and moved out west.

But she couldn’t say that to him.

“My apologies sir. I’ve just been so busy with the job,” she told him. “Lots of changes and all that.”

“Yeah. I’ve certainly noticed,” he commented, letting out a huff. “Don’t know why though. District was fine just the way it was.”

Veronica could feel a twitch in her face but managed to hold her pleasant visage.

“Well sometimes change is a good thing,” she told him. “You can grow and get better with change.”

She wanted to add that change also meant not hovering dangerously close to being broke and not being able to fund anything, but she held her tongue.

“That may well be true and all but-oh thank you Darlin’.”

Abigail had her fake professional smile on as she went to stand beside Veronica’s desk. Matthews took a sip of his drink before he continued.

“But I’m a firm believer in if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Veronica really wanted to snap at the man that the district needed fixing and she was doing just that. But she really needed to mind her manners and decorum. Last thing she needed was for him to go shooting his mouth that she yelled at him, a “respected member of the governing body”. She could already see the headline.

“So I hear you’re running for the position again?” she said changing the subject.

“Sure am,” he responded. “My last daughter’s out of the nest which means I’ve got time to be here for the people again.”

He motioned to the woman with his glass.

“I do appreciate you filling in for me during my temporary leave.”

Now Veronica was starting to get ticked off. And Matthews continuing to talk only made it worse. She knew this, knew he was purposely trying to egg her into anger, but she was slowly starting not to care.

“But now it’s time for you to step down and return to the private sector. 

Spend some time with your wife. You’re a bit too young to be trying to play legislator but I admire your attempt.”

Veronica clenched her hands in her lap. But before she completely lost her temper, she took in a breath.

“Well sir I do believe I can still run,” she stated coolly. “Maybe the people will want me to stay in office.”

The man guffawed at her statement, shaking so hard that the liquid in his glass spilled on his hand and the chair he sat in.

“Oh Sweetheart. Bless your little heart.”

He wiped the tears of his mirth from his eyes with his dry hand.

“The only reason you’re in this office and in that chair is because your last two opponents were weak. Lily-livered. Lacked any balls.”

That wasn’t entirely false. 

“You on the other hand had some bite,” he added. “But you were also the new thing in town. The shiny, new toy everyone wanted.”

She was about to jump across the desk and strangle his thick neck with her small hands.

“But that newness is wearing off. Has worn off.”

His lackadaisical air melted away.

“The people are going to want familiarity back.”

Matthews smirked. “They’re going to want me back.”

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. “And I’ve got the support of a highly, respected official. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

Veronica stared at the man in confusion. But then it dawned on her.

The ramped-up attacks. The odd inquires. The general making her life more unnecessarily complicated.

“You’re backed by Senator Young.”

He tipped his glass at her.

“That’s right Sweetheart. So go ahead and run your little campaign.”

He chuckled.

“Hell I want you to put up a fight. Winnin’s not much fun if it’s just handed to you.”

“And what’s smearing my name and my reputation?” she snapped. 

“Corrupt Democrats? That’s rich coming from the man that almost bankrupted this entire district.”

The man didn’t answer, just finished his drink, and sat the empty glass on the table beside him.

“Good luck Miss Veronica.”

He stood up with a quiet grunt. He headed for the door.

“You’re going to need it.”

When Abigail went and closed the door behind him, that’s Veronica lost it. She cursed and fussed, damning the name Alex Matthews.

“Would you like me to burn some sage? Cleanse this place of that man’s awful energy?” Abigail asked. “I’m pretty sure we still have some in the closet from the last time he was here.”

Veronica slumped down in her chair. “That’s a terrific idea.”

“ARE YOU INSANE?!”

There were no maybes about it anymore.

Violette full-on regretted agreeing to train with Lexi. But at the very least, she was a woman of her word.

She was not going easy on her at all.

When Violette arrived to the gardens, nobody was there. At least that’s what she thought at first.

But then she could feel eyes on her. She figured it was a part of her training and that Lexi would jump out of the bushes to attack her.

So further in she went.

“Lexi?” she called out.

She wasn’t expecting a response, but she thought she’d try anyways.

“Lexi? Are you-”

Well that seemed obvious.

Laying on the ground in front of her was a sword and a shield.

She hummed as she examined them and the area around, slowly piecing together an idea on what was going on.

She could tell Lexi was purposely making the fact that she was hiding obvious. But didn’t know what her aim was in regards to the items.

Was she being direct? Just pick them up and the training would begin?

Or was it a choice? Choose one or the other and you’ll be trained accordingly?

Violette wasn’t completely sure, but she decided to pick up just the shield. She figured it’d be dumb to pick a swordfight when she had no experience in it.

And she chose correctly.

She had just strapped the shield to her arm and was getting used to the weight when Lexi attacked her.

And it had been a nonstop assault for what felt like hours.

Violette was honestly surprised she was still standing.

Barely though, her legs threatening to give out from under her. Still, Violette was proud as she struggled to breathe, attempting to see through the daze.

“You want to tap out?”

Lexi looked completely fine, only a few hairs out of place in her silver braid. The exact opposite of Violette.

“No,” she heaved out. “I’m still standing.”

The goddess snorted. “You’d fall over if I blew on you so are you sure you don’t want to quit? You already lasted far longer than I was expecting and I kind of don’t need you dropping dead on me.”

Violette shook her head no, wiping a streak of blood from her face.

“I still got a bit left in me.”

Lexi slung her sword over her shoulder.

“Seriously you don’t have to overwork yourself Vi. Besides, you’re bleeding…everywhere and we’re working tomorrow so retain some strength for that. Won't be much good on a journey to help out my brother and my father if you're dead.”

Violette knew she should take the out. But she was also extremely stubborn.

Luckily her body made the decision for her. She had just enough time to get the shield off her arm before she collapsed in a heap on the ground.

She could barely hear Lexi yell over the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. Now that she was lying down, she realized how exhausted she was.

And how heavily that gash from Lexi slicing her with a sword on her side was bleeding.

Yeah she probably should’ve given up sooner. Now everything Lexi was saying sounded muffled, like Violette was underwater.

Adrenaline was one hell of a drug. Luckily the haze was slowly fading.

“Geez Mimi you did a number on her.”

Oh great. Now she had an audience.

“Richard? Richard Williams?”

Ritchie turned around as he spoke. “Yes? How can I-”

When he saw he was standing there, he froze.

He couldn’t believe it. It was him.

“You’re James Moore. The James Moore.”

The man nodded as he stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you Richard.”

“R-Ritchie,” the teen replied as he shook the man’s hand. “You can call me Ritchie. Richard’s my dad.”

“Very well then Ritchie,” James said. “I just wanted to tell you congratulations on your win. It was well deserved.”

A large grin grew on the teen’s face. He couldn’t believe the incredible day he was having. He won the grand prize for his writing after trying for three years. One of his idols was here to watch him win and paid him a compliment. And his mother was fixing his favorites for dinner tonight. If anything else happened today he was sure to explode from sheer happiness.

“How long you’ve been writin’?” James asked him.

“Uh since I was a boy. Bout five or six,” Ritchie responded. “I don’t really remember when I started to be honest. I just remember always having some paper and a pen to write whatever was on my mind.”

The man let out a small laugh. “With how you write? That sounds about right.”

He continued on. “Anyways as you know, I’m here looking for someone to take under my wing. Study under me in New York for the summer.”

Ritchie nodded slowly. Of course he knew. It was the talk of the whole ceremony today. Everyone was hoping to get a chance to work with James Moore, Black and White.

“Now I usually don’t go for the grand winner,” the man stated. “Too boring. Or seem to think there’s nothing they can learn from me. But you. I can tell you’re a bit different from the rest.”

Ritchie was going to jump out of his skin. Was he going to do it?

“Reading over your story was quite the experience.”

James dug into his back pocket, pulling out some papers.

Ritchie’s story.

“You’ve got quite the way with words.”

He stepped closer to him, voice dropping to a whisper.

“But you know if they truly understood what you said in that story, they would’ve had you hanging from that flagpole right?” 

Ritchie nodded with a light sigh, eyeing said pole, the flag blowing in the wind. 

“I do. That’s why I wrote it well enough that they would’ve never figured it out.” 

James chuckled as he clapped the teen’s shoulder. “Yeah you’re definitely the one that I want.”

That caused Ritchie to go wide-eyed. “Wait. Are you saying…?”

The man gave him a deadpan expression.

“Boy I have been talkin’ quite highly about your writing. Of course I’m going to ask if you want to study under me.”

Ritchie really was about to explode. He barely heard anything else the man said, only picking up a few of the major parts.

I have to talk to your mama.

You’ll work on stuff for me and yourself.

A manuscript will be started by the end of the summer.

“Mama!”

A woman turned around. Ritchie had a big grin on his face.

"I'm going to New York!"

The clock ticking above Kat’s head was driving her absolutely mad. She had tried to ignore it during her shift, but as the hours dragged on, the more it irked her nerves. But it was fine. In just another twenty-five minutes, her workday would be over, and she’d be able to hang out with Tamsin.

She smiled fondly as she glanced at the photo of the two on her desk. She was glad she replaced the other of her and-

She shook her head with a sigh, continuing to work. But she couldn’t help her mind drifting back to her friend.

Two weeks had passed since they started on the list and she was honestly surprised they hadn’t grown tired of each other yet. Maybe it was because they had a few days in between to spend some time apart but even then, Kat always eagerly waited for their next hang out.

So many memories they now shared, so many packed in such a short amount of time. They had been best friends for so long, but she was pretty sure this was the most they been almost non-stop bonding since high school.

 RING RING RING RI-

Kat shut her alarm off as she stretched out her limbs.

That was time.

She quickly wrapped up the last bits of her work, sent off a few e-mails, and then started packing up to go. As she was grabbing her bag, her phone started vibrating on her desk. A quick glance saw that it was Tamsin calling.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I’m outside. You want me to pull up to the front?”

Kat picked up her pace, her phone cradled between her ear and shoulder. 

She wasn’t expecting Tamsin to be there already.

“Uh no. I’ll just meet you in the parking lot,” she answered as she headed for her door. “Security's gotten super crotchety about people being in the front of the building.”

“Alright. Well, some lady in a big ass red truck parked next to me, so you won’t be able to see me when you walk out.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in a bit.”

With the response echoed by Tamsin, Kat hung up and slipped her phone into her bag. She was at the door to the stairs when a voice called her name. 

She turned around.

“Leaving so soon?”

Her co-worker Shawn came over, seeming to also be on his way out. She nodded as waited for him. The man smiled in appreciation, opening the door for her then following behind.

“Yeah Tamsin and I are heading to the aquarium!” she exclaimed excitedly, her voice bouncing off the walls of the empty stairway. “We were going to go yesterday but Tamsin got called in for a meeting with some fancy business folks.”

Shawn hummed. “You and Tamsin have been spending an awful lot of time with each other lately. Seems like every time we talk, you’re telling me about something y’all have done or plan on doing.”

He chuckled lightly.

“Jonathan must be getting jealous.”

Kat felt a pang in her chest at the mention of her ex. Suddenly her good mood was dampened. She hadn’t even thought about him. And with good reason.

“Oh. Uh…Jonathan’s not in the picture anymore,” she said quietly. “He and I broke up a few weeks ago.”

“Oh shit really? I’m so sorry.”

Kat resisted the urge to give him a confused stare as he patted her back.

“But you don’t have to be sad,” he continued on. “You’re young and pretty so you’ll get a new boyfriend in no time.”

Kat frowned. If that was supposed to reassuring, it definitely wasn’t. She didn’t want a new boyfriend. Not right now at least. She didn’t think she’d want a boyfriend any time soon as a matter of fact.

“Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

Luckily for her the conversation shifted to more lighter topics. When they made it outside, Kat scanned the parking lot for the “big ass red truck”. She didn’t see it, her brows furrowing.

“Hey. Before you leave, there was something I wanted to ask you.”

She stared in curiosity as she waited for him to speak.

“I was wondering if you maybe wanted to get pizza or something Friday night,” he asked her, rubbing at his arm. “Maybe come over to my place and watch movies too?”

Kat couldn’t help the internal wince. She could not believe he was asking her out on a date.

“That sounds lovely Shawn but unfortunately I’ve got with plans with Tamsin on Friday,” she told him. “We’re going to the botanical garden. Then a ballet after that.”

She narrowed her eyes when the man huffed. She didn’t understand why he was annoyed. She was telling the truth. Plus, even if she wasn’t hanging out with Tamsin, she still wouldn’t want to go out with him. She had just gotten out of a relationship, why would she want to immediately go on a date with someone? But most importantly, Shawn was only twenty. She wasn’t looking to go out with someone almost five years younger than her. And if was going to be that immature, of course she’d prefer to spend time with Tamsin.

“You know you’re not going to be able to find someone new if you’re always around Tamsin,” he commented, crossing his arms across his chest. “Guys aren’t going to be super cool with how much time you spend together. Might think you guys actually are.”

“That’s fine.”

The two turned. Tamsin was coming over, with the confident swagger only she possessed. Kat couldn’t help but admire how good the woman looked, very chic in her burgundy dress shirt and black jeans. She was practically glowing in the sun, her dark ponytail bouncing with every step, sunglasses perched on her nose. She smiled at Kat as she draped an arm around her shoulders. Shawn’s mouth turned into a scowl.

“Helps weed out the weak from the strong.”

Kat giggled behind her hand at Tamsin’s cocky tone.

“But you’re strong right Shawny boy?”

Before he could answer, Tamsin glanced down at Kat. “You ready to go see the fishies?”

Kat perked back up as she beamed.

“Yep!”

Tamsin clapped her hands.

“Alright then, let’s go.”

The two walked off, but before they got too far Kat turned around and waved at the dumbfounded Shawn.

“Bye! See you next week!”