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THE HOLIDAY'S END AS DARCIE returns back to school with the last bits of snow from the weekend starting to melt away. Darcie hates the cold; it somehow gets under her skin and even with the number of layers she wears, she can still feel it. Springtime is Darcie's favourite season, where it's not too hot nor cold.
"Hey, Darcie," greets Callum, surprising Darcie as she pauses in her step, turning around to meet her ex-boyfriend's gaze. He's smiling with no hint of heartbreak that's a relief to see. "Did you have a good Christmas?"
"Not really," Darcie confesses, shrugging. "The following day was a lot better, though."
"I'm sorry, I guess that's because of Rochelle still, right?" Callum questions, frowning. "Does she still think you're a..." he leans closer, whispering the next word: "faerie?"
Darcie nods, letting out a small laugh as she takes off her woolly hat. "Yeah," says Darcie. "She does. What about you, though? How was your Christmas?"
"Pretty good," Callum tries to smile, but Darcie knows that he's worried about her. "It was nice to have Tommy home again. Mom was happy so that always makes things better."
"I'm glad," Darcie smiles.
"I was thinking," says Callum, tugging on the strap of his backpack nervously. "Feel free to say no as I don't want to overstep, but I miss you, Darcie. I miss our walks with Bruno. So... can we maybe do that again? As friends, of course."
"I would love to," Darcie tells him, heart finally bursting in relief. "Bruno will love that too. He's missed you."
Callum laughs, appearing just as relieved as Darcie. "I've missed him too," says Callum. "I'll message you, yeah?"
"Yeah, go for it."
The two part ways with Darcie entering her first class of the day with a happy smile on her face. Jacob and Embry both give Darcie questioning looks as she takes her seat between the two of them.
"Why are you so happy this morning?" Jacob asks.
"Because Callum spoke to me," Darcie says. "He wants to walk Bruno with me like we used to do, but as friends."
"That's great," Jacob smiles. "So can Callum hang with us now?"
"Maybe, just don't overwhelm him, okay?" Darcie tells him and then her gaze shifts to Embry, offering him a smile that he returns. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Embry answers. "I'm glad that you and Callum are talking again."
Darcie can tell he means the words that causes her face to brighten further. Since Boxing Day, the two haven't brought up the conversation of their almost kiss. There's never the right time nor can she even think of the right words to say. Darcie's terrified that it'll take a single kiss to lose him. But now, holding his stare, Darcie's heart thuds faster with the mere thought of the possibilities of them.
