Chapter 34

I guess that's his way of saying he's decided to go back. And he tells Janice first, of all people. Ariel stood around the corner, listening to their conversation, since she couldn't eat without him there. Leaving his bento box behind, she took her stuff and left. He sounds certain things will work. I guess something has changed since we last talked, somehow. Maybe he's being hopeful. Wants to get away from here.

With the lunch bag packed away in her locker, she sat down in her next class early with her textbook open in front of her as she stared blankly at the page.

Jade finally made his way back over and stopped to scan the area. "Ariel?" He touched his closed bento box.

"Sorry, dude; she left while you were gone," someone from the next table over said.

"Oh, thank you. Do you know where she went?"

He shrugged. "My guess would be to the next class, since this period is almost over."

"Right, of course." He couldn't fathom why she'd leave without him, even if the current threat had been neutralized. Not bothering with the rest of his lunch, he dumped it in the locker and headed for class.

And there she was.

"Ariel." He approached her, and she froze. "What happened? Why'd you leave?"

I should've known he would ask. "Wasn't sure you'd be back in time." She pretended to read the textbook, flipping to the next page.

He knelt down in front of her desk and peered up at her. "Is that true?"

Why does he always have to stare into my eyes when he asks a question? Does that let him know when people are lying? "I... Class is going to start; sit down."

"Fine," Jade sighed and took his seat as the teacher came in. "But I'm not going to leave it be."

Why not?

"Because I know something is bothering you. I'm hoping it's not something I did, but it seems most likely."

During their last class of the day, a note was passed up to Ariel reading 'Sorry – Janice'. Jade must've used his powers on her to get even this much. She stared at the words for a while, and another note plopped down on her desk as someone walked by.

'Seriously.'

Not sure this has the intended effect.

The bell rang, and Janice approached her as she gathered her things. "I mean it." Janice awkwardly patted Ariel on the back. "Let's... move past it or whatever."

Ariel flinched away from her touch.

"Okay, not worth this. I'll just see you around and in class." Janice left with her friends.

Ugh. Ariel shuddered. Why'd she have to touch me?

"It's surprising how quickly some people change." Jade stood beside her.

"Assuming it's not an act."

"I believe she wants to change now, but only time will tell if she falls back into her habits." He automatically took her hand and headed to their lockers. "So, are you going to talk now or at home?"

Ariel shut her locker and felt Jade close in on her, his hand resting on the locker behind her. "You know what? You talk a lot."

"That's a first. Orsted complains he has to do most of the talking."

"Maybe it's different when you're around someone who doesn't usually talk much, either."

"Maybe, or I'm just talkative around you. Could be this whole world makes a difference, since I'm constantly learning." He trailed his finger along her chin, turning her to him. "I'm inclined to believe it's the first one."

Oh! Why'd he do that? She bit her lip. Be strong, Ariel. She tugged on his wrist to pull his hand away. "I'd rather not talk here."

"Okay." He held her hand again, tighter than normal, as they headed home.

Foolish of me to think I could hide anything from him. He's more perceptive than any human I know. How do I explain my hasty exit? I should've figured that out before I fled like I did. Guess it was obvious to him something was wrong.

They stayed silent the whole way, but his grip on her hand didn't falter. After they got home, he pulled her over to sit on the couch in the living room and sat down on the coffee table in front of her.

"So, what's going on?" Jade asked, his knees bumping into hers.

Ariel stared at her hands in her lap as she fiddled with her thumbs. Unless Conner appears right now, I'm going to have to give him an answer.

"Did I do something wrong? If I did, I'd prefer you tell me honestly what it was. I'm still growing accustomed to things here, so I may not notice—"

"I heard you talking with Janice, that's all."

He thought back, but couldn't remember his exact words. "What did I say wrong?"

"It wasn't wrong, it's just..." Ariel sighed and bit her lip.

"Just?" He rested a hand over hers in her lap. "Please tell me."

She glanced up at his face. "You told her about you leaving soon, that's all. I wasn't sure you'd end up gone on the weekend, but I am now."

He brushed his thumb under her glasses, under her eye, wiping away a tear she hadn't noticed was there. "I'm sorry. While it's not guaranteed, I can see the runes being the key to sending me back, especially when combined with where Leo told me about. There is a place not too far from here known for spatial distortions and anomalies that he said he found some of his runes there."

"A place known for it? Wouldn't scientists be crawling all over it, then?"

"He said people have studied it, but no one could figure anything out other than a strong magnetic field and possible Nordic links. I'm not too sure about any of this, but I think any place that could enhance my runes would be enough to send me back."

"You realize there'd be no guarantee it'd send you home, even if you're teleported, right?"

"Of course. And as much as I'm reluctant to leave, I can't abandon Orsted and my home country."

"I understand."

Jade leaned in close and rested his forehead against hers as he stared into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ariel, truly. If I'm being honest, I'd take you with me, but it's dangerous, and Conner would never forgive me."

"He'd never let you. If you tried, I'm willing to bet he'd pop up before you activated your runes." I wonder what his world is like. No tech would be hard for a non-magic user such as myself. And he said his country is at war. Definitely not something I'd want to jump into. And I could never leave Conner; that'd be horrible.

"Well, he does expect to be there on the weekend. Now I can't help but wonder if one of the reasons is to make sure I don't whisk you away. He's flip-flopped a bit, but he accepted me as your protector, but not so much as your paramour. We both understand why."

"Yeah..." I'd rather they not talk about it in the first place, though.

"I'm so sorry, Ariel."

"Stop saying that."

"But it's true."

"But it doesn't help. It doesn't make any of this easier. Finally get closer to someone, and he's an elf from another world. Go figure."

"As much as it pains me to say it, you'll find a human to grow close to eventually."

Even if I do, he won't be you. "And you'll find an elf woman, I imagine."

"Not likely." He chuckled. "My parents will probably set me up like they've been wanting to. Either that, or Orsted will, because he needs to. It... is probably selfish of me to say this, since I won't be staying, but I've never felt like this before." He caressed her hand with his thumb.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"I've never been in love and only heard about other people talk about it, so I can't be certain, but I think I fell in love with you. I don't know how, with how short our time together has been, but I can't think of any other way to verbalize this affection I feel for you."

Ariel teared up again, a lump in her throat as she tried to fight it back.

He kissed away her tears. "I'm sorry, but I wanted you to know. And I know it'll be the last time, but will you go out on a date with me? Friday night."

The day before he leaves. Unable to speak, Ariel nodded.