Iridescent

22| I'll Drop My Sword at the Ball Instead of My Glass Slippers

I was shaken after the competition. I hadn't lasted long. Only another two opponents before I was taken down, already ready to head back to my dorm.

My walk soon turned into shuffling.

"Cassie."

My gaze landed on Marty, who gave me a genuine smile and polite wave.

"Oh shoot!" I facepalmed my forehead. "I'm so sorry. I'm an idiot."

"Hey, don't say that," he chuckled, crossing over the bridge to get to me, stopping by the willow tree I stood at. "I didn't wait for long."

I was fumbling at my phone, gesturing nervously, "I'm sorry I didn't check my texts and argh!" I glanced to the side, unable to meet his gaze as I allowed myself to be swallowed by my own frustration. 

"Bad day?" 

"Sorta."

"Balls tonight. You going?" 

"No," I shrugged, flopping down on the bench. A willow stem stroked my knee, I gently brushed it aside. "I have enough on my plate."

Marty sat down next to me, handing me an envelope. It was sealed with a sparkly blue sticker and I chuckled, "Willow's work, I imagine?" 

"Yeah," he said and I couldn't help but grin with him. I carefully opened the envelope and saw that the hard was handmade, decorated with dry flowers carefully sealed on top of the cardboard. I gently thumbed the bumps from the petals. 

"This is beautiful," I genuinely exclaimed. I flipped open the card and sensed Marty turn his head the other way. I inherently felt grateful for that small gesture.

Dear Cassandra 

Thank you for saving my life. I'm not really good at writing cards but lavenders are my favourite flowers and I wanted to share them with you. 

It might sound strange, but lavenders kinda remind me of you.

Willow

"She's amazing," my grin widened as I looked at Marty. "She sounds mature beyond her age."

"I think so too," Marty met my gaze, not looking down. "I don't know what she wrote but, sometimes, I feel like she should be the older one instead, not me."

I giggled, carefully slipping the card back inside. My brows rose in intrigue when Marty pulled out something of his own.

"My turn," he said, raising a small glass vessel containing purple liquid. "This is a strong healing potion. Regardless of how bad your injury is, it'll heal everything. It's really rare and it took some effort to get this tiny one but," he placed it into my palm, "you should have this. I hope you never have to use it but if you do, rest assured you have it."

"Marty, I can't accept this. You should keep it or... keep it for Willow!"

"No," he closed my open palms, his warm hand covered mine. "I'm really grateful for everything you've done." 

He held my hand and my gaze for a second too long and abruptly, he realised, and quickly let go. I broke eye contact and thought nothing of it.

"Are you going to the ball?" I asked. Ever since Kristen told me she was going to ask Marty, I had been waiting for Kristen to tell me her good news, but I never got it.

"Oh, um, I don't think so."

I was surprised but I quickly recovered without Marty sensing anything wrong, "Oh, right, you're probably busy with all your other commitments."