THE KNIVES EDGE | M R ✔︎

SIXTEEN ⁂ RIDDLE

Novaline and Nicco have been in the water for maybe fifteen minutes and I'm already itching to rip his head from his shoulders.

The way he looks at her has my blood boiling beneath my skin, yet I know there's nothing I can do about it. She's friends with him, meaning I have to play nice.

But one wrong move and he'll be six feet down with a boulder on top for good measure.

They have their own separate surfboards but they ride the waves side by side. She snaps off the crest of a wave, angling her body towards the beach and he does the same. She lowers herself and begins to paddle out and he does the same.

I'm surprised my teeth haven't cracked from how hard I'm clenching my jaw. I shouldn't be jealous. She's not mine to be possessive over, but I want to gauge his eyes out for even looking at her.

I watch the way she moves on the board, her expertise apparent. A group of people have formed on the beach, snapping a few photos of her as she glides down a wave.

"It's Jace Wrath's sister!" Someone shouts, pointing to Novaline on the water.

I sigh, shaking my head as she twists in a way that looks uncomfortable. Yet, she does it with a smile.

I sometimes forget that Novaline's family is also well known amongst muggles. It's weird to me, being famous in both worlds. But here she is, positively glowing as she snaps off of the edge of a wave.

Nicco leaps from his board, allowing the water to carry it to the shore as he dives into the sea. I roll my eyes at his dramatics.

Then Nova does the same.

And I find myself fighting a smile as I get to the waterline and pick up her surfboard. She and Nicco race back to the edge of the beach, pushing herself faster and harder against the waves. And then she's on the beach, racing towards me, parallel to the water, with a grin on her face.

She's soaking wet, her auburn hair nearly black as she reaches me. I drop the board just as she jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my face. I smile up at her and she presses her lips to mine, her arms hugging me close.

Her tongue meets mine and my smile brightens against her lips.

She pulls away slowly, resting her dripping forehead to mine. "I haven't surfed in years. That was so nice."

My heart swells and I give a little swat to her hind end before setting her back on her feet.

"Fireworks start in twenty minutes." She says softly, pushing her hair behind her ears. "They do them on the beach."

I furrow my eyebrows. "Isn't that a little close?"

She shakes her head. "We won't be on the beach."

The crease between my brows deepens. "What?"

"We have the best seats in the house, Riddle." She smirks, gesturing to her board.

Then I realize what she's saying and I can't fight the grin from my face.

This is the most I've smiled in years.

"Come on." She says, picking up the board and beginning her walk into the water. I trail close behind her. "If we want to get the best spot before others steal our idea, we have to start going now."

I nod and she mounts her board, scooting all the way to the front to leave space for me behind her. She lays down, her legs moving to either side of my body. I copy her actions, my chin resting against her lower back at the two of us begin paddling.