**Chapter 8** I found myself in the eye of a storm, unmistakably being punished. The implications of last night’s conversation about not getting off the Covenant-controlled island were real, not just ominous assumptions I hoped would vanish. I might have known it all along, but did it really have to be such a big deal? To Aiden, it was a monumental matter, and he wasted no time dragging my reluctant form to the gym as dawn broke over the horizon. The hours stretched before us like a long, winding road. Aiden had an agenda—one filled with exercises that felt more ominous than invigorating. Weight reps, a mountain of cardio—oh, how I despised cardio! While I was busy darting between the myriad of workout machines, Aiden parked himself comfortably, stretching out his long legs and immersing himself in a massive book, its weight likely rivaling my own. "What's that you're reading?" I shot a curious glance toward him, hoping to elevate my boredom. Without lifting his gaze, he replied, "If you're talking while working out, then you aren't putting in enough effort." That got him a playful grimace from me. I climbed onto the leg press machine, only to discover getting out of it was a comical challenge that could potentially end in embarrassment. I glanced at Aiden, anxious about looking foolish. Following my workout, a series of machines awaited my engagement, and I filled the silence by poking at Aiden's apparent indifference. "Who reads books that size for fun?" He peered up from the tome, boredom etched across his face. "And who talks just to hear themselves?" My eyes widened in feigned offense. "Charming mood you’ve got today." With the hefty book resting on his knee, he deftly turned a page. "You should focus on your upper body strength, not your conversation skills." Anger flared momentarily as I imagined hurling the dumbbell across the room; though, the thought of ruining his "nice face" quelled my impulse. Hours melted away in this torturous rhythm—he read, I teased, he barked commands, and then I shuffled to yet another machine. Oddly enough, I relished this playful banter, and it seemed he did too. A small smirk often graced his lips whenever I succeeded at annoyance. "Alex, quit staring at me and start doing some cardio," he barked, flicking a finger at the treadmill. I blinked. "I hope that book of yours covers charm and personality skills." That elusive smile returned. "Cardio. Get on it. Daimons run fast, and hungry ones even faster." With a dramatic groan, I made my way to the treadmill he'd indicated. "What’s the time on this punishment?" "Sixty minutes." Stunned, I nearly choked. "Are you insane?" My protest fell on unamused ears. After several frustrating attempts, I finally got the treadmill working at a modest pace. Five harrowing minutes later, Aiden ambled over, and without hesitation, cranked the speed to something more akin to a sprint—while I had been barely jogged at all. The nerve of him! Struggling for breath, I forced myself to keep upright as the timer ticked down to sixty minutes and the machine slowed to a merciful cool-down. "What... are you reading?" I managed, panting heavily. He looked up, sighing. "Greek Fables and Legends." I perked up at that. "Oh! I've always loved how the mortals interpret our gods. Some of it’s spot on, while most is downright silly." "I got it from the library. It’s where you should be spending your free time instead of drinking," he admonished. Shuddering at the thought, I shook out my arms. "Library? Ugh. Nobody likes the library here." Aiden closed the book, shaking his head at me. "Why do half-bloods think there are hellhounds, harpies, and furies lurking among the shelves? I don’t get it." "Have you even set foot in that library? It’s creepy! I once heard growling from somewhere deep in there." I stepped off the treadmill and faced him, my voice low. "Caleb once heard wings flapping near the bottom level. I'm not joking." He laughed heartily in disbelief. "You lot are ridiculous. There’s nothing in the library. All those creatures are long gone from our world. Anyway," he lifted and shook the book, "this is one of your textbooks." Dropping to a seat beside him, I scowled at the boring notion. "Oh, how thrilling. You read textbooks like you’re a robot." I paused, then muttered, "Actually, I can believe that." Aiden tilted his head, his gaze glancing my way, a command clear in his eyes. "Cool-down stretches." I offered a mock salute. "Yes, sir!" As I stretched, I attempted to dig deeper. "So, what legend are you tackling? Is it about how Zeus was the most promiscuous god of them all?" That was one story the mortals had gotten right. He merely handed me the hefty book. "Why don't you give it a look? Once today is over, I suspect you'll be spending a lot of evenings here." I rolled my eyes but accepted the book dutifully. After our grueling session, I vented to Caleb about how utterly uncool Aiden had been, then started griping about Aiden ditching me with Jackson last night. Friends should steer clear of letting friends act like ho-bags. Shortly thereafter, I retreated to my quarters rather than sneaking off to hang with Caleb. That was a game with high risks; if I got caught again, I'd be doomed to another day at the gym. A torturous fate. Bored out of my mind, I picked up the musty tome. Leafing through the ancient pages, I recognized that half was indecipherable, written in ancient Greek—squiggly lines that twisted my brain. Eventually, my fingers found their way to the section written in English. But what surprised me was the content—it wasn’t mere fables; it was a meticulous account detailing each deity, their significances, and their ascension to power. There, in the pages, was a segment dedicated to pure-bloods and their lesser halves—us. It felt surreal—there we were, mentioned in a historical tome: The Pure-Blood and their lesser half—the Half-Blood. As I skimmed, my eyes landed on something that made the air in my lungs hitch when I saw the name “Ethos Krian.” Even I recognized that name. We half-bloods all did. He was the first of a rare cadre of half-bloods with the power to manipulate the elements. But he was more than that—he was the first Apollyon, the only half-blood capable of wielding compulsion over mortals just like the pure-bloods could. In other words, the Apollyon was an incredibly powerful half-blood. Born of a pure-blood and a mortal in Naples in 2848 ED (1256 AD), Ethos was the first-reported half-blood to embody the abilities of a true Hematoi; the oracle of Rome foretold that at eighteen, Ethos would awaken to his power. There were various interpretations regarding the origins and purpose of the Apollyon, with the popular belief holding that the gods of Olympus bestowed upon Ethos the power of the four elements—as well as the enigmatic akasha, the fifth element—to ensure that no pure-blood's power overshadowed that of their creators. The Apollyon was known to have a direct connection to the gods, acting as a sort of Destroyer—“the one who walks among the gods.” After the birth of Ethos, there was a prophecy that decreed only one Apollyon would emerge from each generation, as specified by the oracle. But as I read on, my heart raced as the next passage sent shivers down my spine. Throughout recorded history, only one Apollyon had ever been born to each generation, save for a singular event known as “The Tragedy of Solaris.” It detailed how, in 3203 ED (1611 AD), a second Apollyon materialized in the New World. The awakening of this second being, known only as Solaris, unfolded on her eighteenth birthday, triggering a series of jolting and calamitous events. There had not been a consensus as to how two Apollyons could exist simultaneously or why. I read the section again, disbelief creeping in. There had never been two Apollyons—not ever. Childhood legends whispered of such possibilities, but I had brushed them off as mere fantasy. Turns out, I was woefully ignorant of the full scope of our history. The concept of the two Apollyons meeting was equally tantalizing and horrifying. It was believed the First sensed the presence of another Apollyon upon Solaris' eighteenth birthday, and in an unguarded decision, traveled to the New World, where their union set off catastrophic repercussions for both pure-bloods and their deities. Upon their fateful meeting—as if they were two halves of a greater whole—the powers of Solaris were absorbed by the First Apollyon, thereby transforming him into what had always been feared: The God Killer, leading to an imbalance so destructive that the reaction from the gods—especially the Order of Thanatos—was swift and merciless. The gods had acted without hesitation, executing both Apollyons without a chance for trial or mercy. “Whoa…” I slammed the book shut, leaning back in astonishment. The gods did not take threats lightly. The weight of one Apollyon balanced the scales against chaos, but with two? That risked everything. There was one current Apollyon I had never encountered, almost like a mythical figure cloaked in mystery. Walkie-talkies of rumors spoke of him, but sightings were scarce as water in a desert. Everyone knew he pursued the daimons, enforcing a semblance of justice to compensate for the lack of pure-blood accountability in today’s world. With the establishment of the Council, pure-bloods strutted around thinking themselves invincible—at least in the public eye. As I set the book aside, I flicked off the lamp. Poor Solaris. Somewhere, the gods had miscalculated and caused a dire rift. She hadn’t asked for this; her fate was likely as much a surprise to her as mine was to me now. As the anticipation of the Summer Solstice swirled through the Covenant, I endeavored to re-adjust to my life in training as a half-blood. The initial thrill of my presence had faded, and most students remaining for the summer had grown accustomed to my existence. Killing two daimons had secured me a small degree of respect; even the snarky remarks from Lea were fewer. At one point, Lea and Jackson had been a couple, having tangled at least twice, and as far as I knew, were on another breakup. During Jackson's free periods, I instinctively developed methods to dodge him. There was no denying his attractiveness, but his affinity for swift hands turned every encounter into a minefield. Caleb had pointed out with delightful sarcasm that my predicament was of my own making. A less conventional routine began to crystallize between Aiden and me—our practice sessions typically started off quietly with stretching and running laps. It was a tactic to avoid unnecessary conversation during my cranky morning disposition. By late morning, I was more tolerable and ready to dig into the real stuff. Aiden never mentioned the night he caught me at the party, nor did he explain the cryptic statement: “I remember you.” Naturally, my mind spiraled into wild and ludicrous interpretations. Perhaps my incredible talent had granted me a kind of legendary status. Maybe my misadventures made me unforgettable. Or maybe—absurdly—I’d been so radiant he couldn’t help but notice. Of course, I’d never truly been that beautiful. During our training sessions, Aiden adopted a stern, no-nonsense approach. Once or twice, I caught him allowing a secretive grin to peek through when he thought I wasn’t watching. But honestly, who could resist gawking at him? Aiden was like a living sculpture of perfection. I oscillated between envy for his fluid grace and being utterly captivated by his patient demeanor. Countless times, I reflected on how irritating I could be, yet Aiden treated me like an equal—a commodity hardly seen among the pure-bloods. The day I made a fool of myself challenging my uncle felt like ancient history. Aiden ensured I built steadily toward my goals, fully attuned to the demands of training and its toll on my body. Remarkably, I had even gained a bit of weight. But the question of my dorky demeanor still lurked in the shadows. Aiden still wouldn’t allow me near the enticing array of weapons lining the walls. As the day of the Summer Solstice approached, I mustered the courage to approach the wall of destruction during what felt like our last practice. “Don’t you dare think about it. You’d slice your hand off… or, worse, mine.” I froze, hand hovering dangerously near a wicked dagger. "Alex," Aiden remarked with a hint of humor nestled beneath his tone. "We've got only a little time left. We have to focus on your blocking." Groaning, I pulled away, begrudgingly conceding to his demand. "Blocking again? That’s all we’ve done for weeks." Arms crossed, he stood firm in a simple white tee that could make the everyday look like a runway show. "That’s not all we’ve done." "Okay, I'm ready to transition to something cooler, like knife practice or defense against the dark arts. Exciting stuff!" "Did you just quote *Harry Potter*?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I grinned mischievously. "Maybe I did." He shook his head with a bemused smile. “We’ve worked on kicks and jabs. Your blocking still needs improvement. How many of my kicks have you been able to block today?" “Well…” I winced, fully aware of the answer. "A couple? But you’re ridiculously fast." “And daimons are faster than me." "I’m not so sure about that.” He moved like a blur. But I stepped into position, ready for another attempt. Aiden guided me through the maneuvers once more, and for some inexplicable reason, I found myself managing to block more than I ever had before. Before we could launch into the next round, a whistle echoed from the hallway, and I was greeted by the sight of Luke, his bronze hair glimmering even in the dull light of the training room. I grinned and waved. “You're not focusing,” Aiden shot back, but my smile faltered when I saw Luke saunter off with a couple of other halfs. “Sorry,” I murmured, glancing back at Aiden, who motioned for me to step closer without an argument. “Is he another boy of yours? You always seem to be with that other one.” My hands fell to my sides in disbelief. “What?” Aiden swiftly spun his leg around, propelling me to block it barely in time. “So is he another one of yours?” Conflict bubbled within me as I pondered whether to laugh out loud or feel absolute outrage over his teasing. Flipping my ponytail over my shoulder, I caught his forearm before he could connect with my stomach. “Not that it’s any of your business, but he wasn’t whistling at me.” He recoiled, brow furrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I raised my brows, letting the silence stretch until realization dawned upon him. His eyes widened, his mouth forming a perfect ‘O’. But instead of doubling over with laughter, I seized the chance and aimed a kick squarely underneath his ribcage, relishing the perfect execution of my move—except I never made contact. With a deft swipe of his arm, Aiden sent me crashing onto the mat, leaving him standing over me with a triumphant grin. “Nice try,” he chuckled. I propped myself up on my elbows, mock scowling. “Why do you smile when you knock me down?” Extending a hand, he offered assistance. “It’s the little victories that make me happy.” I took his hand, and he pulled me to my feet, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Good to know.” Without a second thought, I brushed past him to grab my water bottle. “So… are you going to the celebrations tonight?” The Solstice was a grand event for the pure-bloods, heralding a month of social gatherings leading up to the Council session in August. This evening promised to be the most significant, especially if the gods were to bless them with their presence—but I was skeptical. Chances were, no gods would show. Pures would adorn themselves in vibrant, ceremonial attire just in case, while we halfs were entirely excluded from the festivities on the main island. There was talk of a beach party hosted by Jackson, but my attendance hung in the balance. “Probably,” he stretched, exposing a tantalizing strip of toned skin above his pants. “I’m not particularly fond of that stuff, but I have to show my face at a few.” Consciously, I made myself keep my focus on his face—not an easy task. “Why’s that?” He grinned. “It’s just something we adults have to do, Alex.” My eyes rolled playfully, and I took a sip of my water. “You can hang out with your friends. It’ll be fun.” Aiden shot me a curious look. “Do you even know how to have fun?” I probed, teasingly. “Of course.” Then it struck me: that moment of realization that Aiden, for all his stoic exterior, might not know how to unwind. Just as I found it hard to face the memories surrounding my mom—this spectral weight of survivor’s guilt clouded my mind. Aiden leaned in, tapping my arm gently. “What is it you’re pondering?” I met his steady gaze. “I was just… contemplating.” He leaned back slightly, observing me. “Thinking about what?” “It’s hard for you to… enjoy life, isn’t it? I mean, I never see you do anything fun. I’ve only seen you with Kain or Leon, and never a girl. Remember that time I caught you in jeans…?” I trailed off, flushing. What had that even mattered? But that memory still left me breathless. “Anyway, I guess after what happened to your parents, having fun probably feels weird.” Aiden suddenly straightened, his eyes hardening to a steely gray. “I know how to have fun, Alex. I do have friends.” My cheeks felt inexplicably hot. Clearly, I’d stumbled onto a raw nerve. Whoops. Wincing internally, I completed my training and hurriedly returned to my dorm room, reflecting on how my verbal slip-ups often led me into awkward situations. Once in the sanctuary of my room, I showered quickly and donned a faded pair of shorts before heading toward the bustling campus cafeteria. I needed to see Caleb, desperate to erase the shame of my earlier tactless musings. Caleb was already there, engrossed in a discussion with another half about who had outperformed whom in the previous semester's field exercises. Given my lack of participation, I felt like an outsider, an infraction I was keenly aware of. “Planning to hit the party tonight?” Caleb inquired, breaking me from my daze. “I suppose so,” I shrugged absentmindedly. “Not like I have anything better to do.” “Just don’t let a repeat of last time happen,” he warned. I shot him a pointed look. “Don’t you dare leave me hanging while you’re off chasing Myrtle, you loser.” Caleb chuckled. “You should’ve faced the music. Lea was livid until she saw Jackson without you. She practically ruined the evening for everyone. Well, Cody was also a major cause of the night’s downer.” I pulled my legs up under me, interest piqued. “What happened?” He grimaced, recalling the drama. “Someone brought up that blasted Breed Order nonsense again. Cody was in a foul mood after a few drinks, shouting about halves not belonging on the Council.” "I can only imagine how well that went over," I replied dryly. Caleb smirked. “Yeah—and then he raised the issue of how the breeds shouldn’t mix, spouting off nonsense about blood purity.” He eyed a figure moving behind me, excitement bubbling in his tone. I turned to see a flash of caramel skin and bouncy, curly hair. “What’s happening now?” I probed, curiosity mounting. “Um, a few of the halfs were furious. Before we knew it, Cody and Jackson were brawling. They were really going at it.” My eyes widened with disbelief. “What? Did Cody report him?” “Nah,” Caleb grinned, “Zarak persuaded Cody to back off, but Jackson totally wrecked him. It was honestly kind of epic. Of course, the two idiots made up afterward. They’re fine now.” Relief washed over me as I settled back into my chair. Taking a swing at a pure-blood—even in self-defense—could land a half-blood in serious trouble. A death sentence loomed over us if one of us dared harm a pure. The rules were unyielding and cumbersome. If we broke them, servitude was the grim future awaiting us. The idea pulled me into a spiral of darker thoughts about my own precarious position. Failure to gain acceptance in the fall could lead to a lifetime of servitude. Escape wouldn't be possible; would I find myself living on the streets? Pretending to be mortal again? Those dreadful possibilities twisted my stomach. Burying those thoughts, I focused on Jackson’s party, finally mentally committing to attend. A few hours later, I found myself at the beach gathering. What had initially seemed small blossomed before my eyes into a massive congregation of half-bloods lounging amid blankets and chairs, the tide licking at the shorelines. As I settled onto a cozy blanket beside Luke, I turned down a cool yellow plastic cup offered by the firebrand-haired Ritter. “Not drinking tonight?” Luke asked, perplexed. Surprisingly, I shook my head. “Feeling off tonight.” Luke tossed back a strand of his bronze hair. “Did I cause you trouble during practice today?” I sighed. “Nah, I’m just easily distracted. Nothing new there.” He nudged me, a mischievous grin lighting his face. “I can see why you get distracted. Too bad he’s a pure. I’d give my left butt cheek for a taste of that.” “Jackson likes girls,” I reminded him. “So?” Luke burst into laughter. “What’s he like? He seems so quiet. You just know he’d be great in—” “Stop right there!” I giggled, raising my hand to shield myself from the implications. The signal only mildly aggravated my sore back muscles. Luke leaned back with an exaggerated sigh. “Admit it. You’ve thought about it.” “Fine! He’s…” I faltered, wishing for a rebuttal. “…a pure.” Luke raised an eyebrow. “Come on! He’s… he's very nice and patient. Most of the time… and I just find it awkward to discuss him. Can we swap back to some other hot guy?” “Oh yes, please! That’s exactly what I’d love to talk about,” Caleb chimed in, joining our back-and-forth. Luke glanced around the beach, pausing at the sight of the coolers. “How about Jackson?” “Don’t say his name,” I groaned. His laughter filled the air, and I sank down, adopting a mock defeat. “He just arrived without Lea. By the way, where is that little ho?” “I have no idea,” I grumbled, glued to my blanket. “Not a bad thing, is it?” Caleb joined in. “And Alex, your man is here!” Luke announced. I found myself caught, helplessly trapped between their banter. “Alex!” Jackson's slurred voice reached me, warm and too-close-for-comfort. “Haven’t seen you around.” “Curses!” I silently cursed, squeezing my eyes shut. “I’ve been busy with training,” I stammered, forcing the truth through gritted teeth. With a drunken sway, Jackson turned toward Caleb as if he owned the place. “Aiden ought to know you need some fun!” Luke shot me a knowing look before departing, leaving me alone with Jackson. He dropped into my personal space and threw an arm around me, almost knocking me flat into the sandy blanket. His breath was intoxicatingly warm, riddled with hints of beer. Uncomfortable, I recoiled inwardly. “You’re welcome to join us here after the party.” “Oh… I don’t know about that,” I deflected, doing my utmost to maintain a semblance of resilience. Jackson leaned in closer—persistence was his forte, of that I was sure. “You can’t tell me you’ll be training tomorrow… not after all this. Even Aiden will be sleeping in.” I had no faith in that notion. Eager to shift my thoughts, I wondered whether Aiden was reveling in the festivities. Did he stay for the celebrations, or simply put on an appearance and vanish? The idea that he might be enjoying himself intrigued me. “Alex?” “Huh?” I shook myself from my reverie. Jackson chuckled, slipping his hand over my shoulder, but I pushed it back down, my patience thin. Unbothered, he continued his pursuit, reaching for me again. “I was asking if you wanted a drink. Zarak on a compulsion sparked quite the stock for summer.” “Great intel,” I muttered. “I’m good. Not thirsty.” Eventually, Jackson grew bored with my indifference and wandered off. Thankful for the reprieve, I turned to Caleb, a plea in my eyes. “Smack me if I ever consider giving him the time of day again. Seriously.” Caleb peered down into his cup, brow furrowing. “What happened with him? Too much of a pushy jerk?” A fierce glare emanated from him, directed at Jackson’s retreating form. “Should I be concerned?” “No!” I laughed, waving my hands dismissively. “It’s just… weird.” Turning, I noticed Jackson conversing with the long-haired girl I'd caught a glimpse of earlier—a striking brunette with a curvy silhouette and caramel skin. “Who’s that girl?” I inquired. Caleb sighed, his demeanor shifting. “That’s Olivia. Her last name’s something with a Greek twist. A mortal father and a pure mother.” I continued to observe Olivia, admiring her stylish jeans that left me green with jealousy. “How come I've never seen her before?” “She was with her father for a bit, I think,” he mumbled, eyes lingering on her. “She actually seems… kind of nice,” I speculated. Caleb’s expression tightened. “You like her, don’t you?” “No! Of course not,” he protested, nearly choking on his own denial. Curiosity bubbled within me as Caleb's eyes remained drawn back to Olivia. A faint redness flushed his cheeks. “Right. You have no interest in her…” Summoning the spirit of mischief, I interjected, “So you’re also a student who failed to mention your budding romance?” “Let it go, Alex,” he replied, avoiding my gaze. Before I could retort, Deacon St. Delphi emerged out of nowhere—a surprise for any night, but particularly shocking on Solstice, where pures gathered with one another like bees to honey. “Is this even allowed?” I thought, eyeing him cautiously. Deacon, with his devil-may-care attitude, surveyed the half-bloods around him before a sardonic smile broke his expression. He swaggered over, a shiny silver flask glinting in his pocket. “Happy Summer Solstice!” Caleb almost spit out his drink in startled disbelief. “Same to you!” Having taken Jackson’s place beside us, Deacon seemed unbothered by the surprise surrounding him. “I got bored on the main island. The ritual is mind-numbing.” “Are you ever sober?” I inquired, noting the bloodshot rims around his eyes. He considered this, grinning. “Not if I can help it. Things are easier this way.” His comments sent a wave of uncertainty crashing through me. “Aiden isn’t fond of your drinking habits.” “Ah, he’s right,” Deacon concurred, nursing the flask as though it were some precious relic. “But he has no idea how far from the truth that really is.” “And when will they realize you’re gone?” Caleb questioned, suspicion coloring his voice. “About an hour after they kick off their chants,” Deacon dismissed with a wave. “By then, my brother is bound to realize I’m not there and come looking for me.” When it dawned on me that Aiden might still be enjoying the party, my heart sank. “You came here knowing they would search for you?” “Correct.” Deacon smirked, that signature playfulness shimmering in his eyes. “Crap!” Caleb began to rise, but I was already engulfing the information that Aiden was indeed at the celebration. “Sit down,” Deacon interjected, extending a hand as if offering a lifeline. “You have at least an hour before the party boys show up. Don’t sweat it.” Caleb’s interest diverted back to the seashore where Olivia and a half-blood stood, uncomfortably close together. Seconds dragged by as a storm of emotions clouded his expression. “I'm tired,” he declared, forcing a smile. “I think I'll head back to my dorm.” “Boo!” Deacon feigned disappointment, pouting his lips. “I’m sorry,” I said, rising alongside Caleb to walk up the beach. “You’re leaving with him? That’s cute,” Lea remarked, her nose crinkling in disdain. A low growl left my lips as I reached for her forearm tightly, unwilling to let her escape. “Hey.” She attempted to yank her arm away, but I tightened my grip. “What was that? Your boyfriend just got a little too cozy. Clearly, you’re not holding his attention.” Letting go, I smiled at the shock that crossed her face. “Caleb!” I rushed to catch up with him. “I can already hear what you’re going to say and don’t want to hear it,” he stated matter-of-factly. “How do you know what I would say?” I returned playfully. “What I want you to know is if you like Olivia, you could just—” With a sidelong glance, he raised his brows. “I really don’t want to discuss this right now.” “But… why won’t you admit it? What’s the big deal?” Sighing heavily, he replied, “Something happened the night we went to Myrtle.” I stumbled slightly, eyes wide. “What? What happened?” “Not that,” he clarified quickly. “Not exactly, at least. But it was close.” “Close?” I squealed, playfully punching his arm. “Why didn't you say anything? You can't just leave me in the dark about your romantic escapades!” Caleb paused, wrestling with his thoughts before admitting, “We both had a bit too much to drink, and we ended up arguing about who called shotgun. The next thing I knew, we were making out like there was no tomorrow.” I bit my lip, a mix of surprise and excitement rushing through me. “That’s hot! So why haven’t you talked to her?” Silence stretched before him, an air of reluctance hanging in the air. “Because I like her—like her a lot.” And at that revelation, the sun finally set on the horizon, leaving promises of another day hanging in the air.