"Adam!"
I ran through the hallways of the library shop, ran by Adam's mother, a human.
She appeared in front of me suddenly with a teasing smile.
Her raven black hair was plaited into a simple braid over her shoulder. But her outfit was a heavily embroidered bright blue dress, bringing out the soft red in her cheeks.
Despite her age, Adam's mother hadn't looked a day over thirty. When I stopped abruptly and suddenly in front of her, I watched as a stern yet completely playful frown tightened her eyebrows.
"Elodie, darling. You mustn't run in a library. You could knock things over or, worse- injure yourself. Tell me, what are you looking for?"
I lowered my eyes. "I'm sorry, Miss Adamandi. I'm looking for Adam; is he here?"
She patted my head warmly. "He's just outside by the pond. You may walk, to find him."
I smiled, turning around. "Thank you!"
Before I could even attempt to race out the door, Miss Adamandi called out again. "Walk!"
I pouted, pressing my foot to the ground at a slow pace again and again. The door opened in front of me with a sound. I made my way out, still walking.
I sighed deeply. Only after I turned the corner of the huge library building did I break out into a full sprint.
I ran close to the green grass and instantly felt an electrifying twinkle against my feet and entire body. My smile widened, and my lungs felt full. "Adam!"
I spotted him in his blue long sleeves and tan trousers. The knees of his pants wore a little green, but he turned to look at me once, seeing me run over.
His face suddenly became one of distress. "Elodie! you're running too--"
I leaped; Adam was terrified. He still outstretched his arms. I toppled into him, and he into the grass behind him. I laughed happily, laying on top of him. "Perfect timing, Adam."
"Elodie! What would you have done if I didn't catch you?"
I only smiled, taking my time to rest in his arms, tired from all my running. "You've caught me. So must we think of the potential of other endings?"
He sighed. "How can you be so full of life so early in the morning?"
I pushed myself off of him, my face moving away from the grass and now staring at his eyes. "It is because I have found you, isn't it?"
He became a flustered boy again, hiding his red face from my gaze.
"E-Elodie. You're eyes are green again."
"Really?" I got off of him and moved to the blue pond water to see. Surely enough, in my reflection, my eyes were shining back at me, green. "Crap," I groaned, sitting down besides Adam on the pink blanket laid out. "I don't get it anymore. Why do they keep doing this?"
As I sat back, Adam sat up, brushing away fallen grass from his clothes. "Take a breath, Elodie. You ran over here excited to tell me something, right?"
"That's right. I got to learn a new spell yesterday, and I wanted to show you."
Adam seemed flattered, smiling softly. "Okay. You can show me when you're ready.
"Well, it's not perfect. And I can't hold it for long, but-" I started to say, but Adam continued to smile and only nodded. I nodded back after a moment, collecting myself. "Well... A-Alright then. I'll try."
I stood up from the blanket, walking a couple steps away from him.
"Is it dangerous?" Adam asked.
"Not if I get it right." I shrugged. Adam instantly got anxious, a small laugh leaving my lips.
I twirled my wrist as my fingers extended and contracted. Again and again. The wind began to pick up. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. The wind had picked up even more; bunches of grass and leaves, as well as stones, floated off the ground.
Adam stayed silent the entire time. I focused my attention on the bunches of grass and stones, focusing on bringing them together, forming a wind circle over the pond.
"Woah." I heard Adam speak after several seconds of quiet. "Elodie, that's- really cool."
I glanced over to see he was already facing me. I tensed. The circle of leaves and pebbles fell into the water.
My breathing quickened, and I looked away. "I-I'm still working on it but-"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to distract you; I just..."
"N-No no-I um. You're not the reason I—I just—lost focus... so." I cleared my throat, finally looking back at him. "Y-Your dad! Has your dad come back? From, border patrol?"
Adam then cleared his throat, staring into the river. "He's coming back in two days." A small smile graced his lips. "He was able to get more sweets during his free time."
I laughed. "Gosh, my mom is going to kill me if I bring home another packet of candies." I looked towards him. "You've really stayed true to your word."
"And you're still my friend."
I looked away, embarrassed.
"Hey, I'm older now to have better reason than to just befriend someone because they give you candy." I said. We shared a brief second of laughter. I looked at him afterwards. "I'm sorry my end of the deal has yet to be kept. Really. If I had known how selective magic was, I'd-"
"We were kids," Adam interrupted me with a laugh. "We still are. Besides, I'm not bringing you sweets to buy your friendship."
A brief silence took over as I tried to decode his words. I turned to look at Adam; my breath stuck in my throat. "Then, why are you..."
"Adam! Your tutor is here!"
We both moved away from one another instantly.
Adam cleared his throat. I quickly stood up. "I'm- I'm gonna-"
"Yeah, I should head in—I don't want to be late or-"
"R-Right, and I need to go home either way, so, right. Yeah."
We met each other's eyes, both of us sharing an awkward smile.
"S-See you." Adam quickly said.
"Bye." I could only let out a squeak before turning away.
I walked quickly from the grass backyard of the Adamandi Library.
My cheeks felt warm the entire walk home.