"Behave yourselves," muttered Roald.
Vania gave him her sweetest grin. "Do we look like we're misbehaving?"
"Well, hush. Her shield's about to be presented."
Jasson was watching Kel with her family and friends. "She's popular," he said, surprised. "When she started, Roald said nobody was friends with her."
"You haven't been paying very close attention, then."
"And you have?"
Vania tilted her head to the side as she watched Kel. "She's not conventionally pretty, but…there's something about her that makes her attractive."
Jasson stared at her and then leaned closer. "Do you..you know, like her?"
"Don't sound so disbelieving."
"But you're only fourteen."
Vania stuck her nose up in the air. "I might just have to wait a few years, that's all." She elbowed him. "Now, shut up. Father's glaring at us."