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THE BRIGHTEST OF mornings couldn't compare to the pure radiance of Thea Valaryen's joy. Their class was gathering their things, preparing to leave their hotel in Venice for an eleven-hour bus ride to the City of Love itself—Paris. Perhaps that was why she was looking at Peter, feeling her heart glow like a girl in a romance novel. It was unlike any other feeling, transcending the gritty world around her and the fact that Betty was fretting over Ned to take his vitamins.
All she could think about was the way his hand felt in hers. It felt different compared to all the other times they did it, special now and evoking a warm sensation inside of her that made her heart do flips in her chest. He never let go of her hand from the gondola that took them away from their hotel and to the square where they were supposed to meet their bus that would take them to Paris. Thea caught herself looking at him more than once, feeling butterflies flutter in her stomach as his entire face lit up with a boyish smile dancing on his lips.
"Thea!"
The maegi turned to see Bex who sprung out from behind her. One hand was concealed behind her leg but revealed the dangling strap of an all-too-familiar watch that she discreetly tucked into Thea's palm. "You forgot your call watch in our room. I kept it in my bag but you're lucky no one found it."
"Oh, shit, thanks," Thea sighed, tucking it into the pocket of her vintage jeans. She avoided her best friend's narrowed eyes. Bex could see through her like glass and the fact Thea left behind what could've been used to expose her identity already drew up a flag. Well, that and that she was holding hands with Peter Parker.
Their fingers were intertwined compared to the sweet but shy and hesitant clasping from before. Thea's eyes darted to Bex, gauging her stalled reaction. She was staring at the two of them blankly, almost confused as to why they were silent. Her gaze fell to their interlocked hands and she fell slack-jawed, unable to produce a coherent sound as the stunning realization sunk in.
"No way..." Bex murmured and began to back up, wagging her ring-studded finger. "No, you're shitting me right— oh my God, oh my God, OH MY GOD!"
"Shh," Thea laughed as Peter struggled to restrain his grin. "Keep your voice down. Yes, we're—"
"Ned, Michelle! Ten bucks!" Bex suddenly hollered. Her long dark locks bounced as she jumped up and down on her feet. "I win!"
"What's going on?" Michelle asked, strolling over with a despondent Ned at her side and a coffee cup in her hand. She tucked her curly fringe behind her ear, looking at Peter and Thea with a sly, knowing smile on her face. Suddenly, she extended her free hand to Bex, clearing her throat. "That would be mine— oh, and another five."
"What?" Bex demanded, holding the five dollars Ned reluctantly gave her close to her chest.
"I bet they'd get together in Venice, Ned said Paris, and you said London," Michelle reminded. She smirked at Bex who begrudgingly slapped the paper bill on the taller girl's palm and forked out her wallet to take out another five. Michelle winked at the couple, shoving her ten dollars into the pocket of her charcoal jeans. "Thanks, guys."
