Light Series Extras

Asking Her (Valentine's Day Bonus Bending Light)

His fingers cut like blades, arching over his head to slice into the water, propelling him forever forward. His head moved from side to side. Tilt. Breathe. Tilt, breathe.

Ashton White had been swimming laps around the pool for the last three hours, attempting to stave off some pretty bad nerves.

Why?

Today he was going to ask Fiona out.

They'd been friends for roughly a year, learning each other's habits and trading problems. Fiona especially struggled with mathematics.

"I just hate finding algebra's X." She had told him, before quickly turning it into the cliche joke, "I mean, she's gone. You gotta move on dude."

He'd laughed as was required of him, and not missed the approving look Lilliana Nighle had sent his way.

She was four now but seemed so much older, it was quite unnerving at times.

She had also somehow managed to pry every little secret plan straight out of his head when it came to Fiona. So of course, Lili knew he planned to ask Fiona out today.

And the crazy girl had not only agreed to it, but she'd also offered her help too.

It was then that he realized Lili was actively invested in his relationship with Fiona. Which was surprising.

Don't most four-year-olds have more interesting things to be concerned about?

Ashton shoved against the pool wall, flipping over and going for another lap. He was planning on swimming until his nerves quieted, he had to leave to get Lili and Fiona, or he felt almost completely exhausted. Whichever came first.

Two sets of footsteps echoed on the tile floor, disrupting his rhythm. He paused, treading water in the middle of the pool as he looked up at Harper Beels and her girlfriend, Miram.

"Ashton..." Harper groaned, shaking her head. "What's going on now?"

"Nothing!" He quickly yelped, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

Harper and Miram glared at him, and he surrendered, climbing out of the pool and peeling his goggles off.

"Ask Lili." He grumbled, grabbing a towel and dropping it over his face to hide Harper from view. "I am sure she'd be happy to tell you."

"...you had an argument with Fiona?"

Miram laughed. "No... I think I know what's going on."

Whispers traded in front of him as he pretended to ignore them, toweling off his hair, and frowning at the ends. It was getting too long.

He'd have to fix that later.

When he dared to look back at Harper and Miram, they were trading ominous smirks. He backed away.

Yep. I am running away now.

He had just closed the door when he heard a shout behind him.

"Wait! ASHTON!"

***

Fiona Nighle sighed and kicked the pillow at her feet.

She'd been taking her frustrations out on it for the past half an hour, and she had to meet Ashton in another two hours. He was the entire reason she was freaking out! It was so unfair.

Her plan was stupid... it was going to end in disaster.

For once, her younger sister wasn't helping matters.

"Lili! What do I wear?" Fiona whined.

Lilliana glanced up from her coloring book, a purple crayon in her left hand and a mixed berry juice box in her right.