❝You have ice powers?❞ Adam asked shocked.
Taelyn turned around, laughing as she looked back at her hand. She looked at him, confused. ❝What? You've never seen a girl with ice powers before?❞
Leo is an ordinary teenager who has moved into a high...
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It had been a couple of weeks since everything had settled down, and Marcus and Taelyn were still going strong. Their connection blossomed with laughter and shared moments, but Leo's paranoia about Marcus grew day by day. Each time Leo caught sight of Marcus with Taelyn, his protective instincts kicked in, convinced that Marcus was hiding something sinister.
"Taelyn, are you sure he's really okay?" Leo pressed one afternoon, his brow furrowed with concern. "I just don't trust him."
"Leo, you need to chill," Taelyn replied, rolling her eyes but with a hint of worry. "Just because he's not perfect doesn't mean he's bad."
Meanwhile, Gwen, Taelyn's aunt, was making an effort to get closer to her. Despite Taelyn's desire to keep her distance—rooted in their complicated past—she couldn't ignore her longing to build a relationship with Moon, her 5-year-old cousin. The bond with Moon felt pure and uncomplicated, a stark contrast to the tangled history with Gwen.
On the first day back at school, excitement filled the air as two new exchange students, Archie Andrews and Navia Benson, arrived. Their fresh energy and vibrant personalities quickly drew the attention of the friend group, expanding their circle and bringing a new dynamic to their lives.
"Did you see Archie? He's like a movie star!" Taelyn exclaimed, laughing with Marcus during lunch.
"Yeah, and Navia seems super cool too," Marcus replied, his eyes sparkling. "I think our group is about to get a lot more interesting."
That afternoon, with Gwen out on a date, Taelyn found herself babysitting Moon. She set up a cozy space in the living room with soft blankets and colorful snacks, her heart warming at the sight of Moon's excitement.
"Okay, Moon, what do you want to do first?" Taelyn asked, trying to keep her voice bright despite the tangled feelings about her family.
"Can we play a game? Or read a story?" Moon's big brown eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Let's do both!" Taelyn replied, her smile breaking through her uncertainty. "But first, let's call Marcus. He'd love to join us!"
As Taelyn dialed Marcus, her heart raced. She had been wanting to introduce him to Moon for a while now. The phone rang, and soon she heard his familiar voice. "Hey, what's up?"
"Hey, Marcus! I'm babysitting Moon right now, and we were wondering if you'd like to come over and hang out!"
"Count me in! I've got a new game I've been dying to try out," he said, his enthusiasm infectious.
As they waited for Marcus to arrive, Taelyn knelt beside Moon, who was busy coloring. "Do you think Marcus is nice?" Moon asked, her innocent curiosity shining through.
"He's the best!" Taelyn replied, her heart swelling with affection. "He makes me laugh, and I think you'll really like him."
Just then, Marcus walked in, his trademark grin lighting up the room. "What's this? A party without me?" he joked, bending down to greet Moon. "Hey there! Are you ready to play?"
