CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
The park was full of beautiful flowers and the sun was a big ball of fire in the sky. Ivy and Finn walked side-by-side. Ivy sometimes felt like if she turned around for five seconds, Finn would be gone - he was like a toddler. She made sure that he was close at all times, just in case.
"In a little while, you'll be holding my hand." Finn rolled his eyes when Ivy pulled him away from the edge of the pond.
Ivy shivered. "Ew. No."

"Hey, look, ice cream!" Finn pointed wildly in the direction behind Ivy.
Ivy whirled around and shaded her eyes from the sun. She couldn't see it.
"Finn? I can't see it. Where is-" She turned back around and her friend had disappeared. "What? Finn!"

She kept walking, waving her hands desperately and trying to find him. "FINN! FINN PEVLONE? COME BACK!"
Ivy wandered off the main path and through the grassy bit, thinking that he may have gone to hide behind a tree. Up ahead, she caught sight of someone - obviously male, but she couldn't see his face. Her heart leapt - Finn!
"THERE YOU ARE?!" Ivy screamed. "FINN!"

Someone grabbed her from behind and she let out a scream, jabbing them in the chest with her elbow.
"Hey!" Finn protested. "It's just me!"
Ivy came to a stop and found herself becoming increasingly confused. "But-"
She faced the direction that she had seen the figure.
"Did you-" Ivy faltered. "Did you see that man over there?"

"What man?" Finn narrowed his eyes, looking in the direction she was pointing. "Ivy, there's no one there."
Ivy chewed her lip. "There was someone there."
"Alright, I believe you." He didn't look convinced. "But maybe we should go. You know - creepy dude watching us from behind trees. Might be a bit concerning, don't you think?"
"Yeah." Ivy shrugged. "It probably was just my imagination. Let's go."

The blonde-haired boy waited in the car park and grinned when he saw the familiar face of Cinder approaching. But as she got closer, he remembered the conversation he had had with Heather, and felt his stomach twist uncomfortably. They weren't exactly a couple, were they? And he just wanted to hang out with Cinder for once. It wasn't like he was going to propose to her or anything.
"Hey!" Cinder was smiling too. "How are you?"
Lionel flashed a smile that he hoped was convincing. "I'm fine. You?"
"Pretty good myself..." She pushed hair out of her eyes. "Now let's get some food because I'm starving."

They found a small café and slipped inside, finding a comfortable seat to throw themselves down in. They both ordered coffee and some food, and waited for it to be made, talking about Legacy Day and general school problems (namely, homework). The food arrived and they started eating.
"I wonder who pranked Jace." Cinder thought out loud.
"Yeah..." Lionel's own mind wandered, but for once, he wasn't worrying about Jace.
Cinder put down her fork and stared at him. "All you've said today was 'yeah' and 'no' and 'mmm'. What's up with you?"

Lionel blinked rapidly. "Nothing's wrong with me."
"Well, then why aren't you listening to me?" Cinder asked. "You could at least say something else."
"The weather's nice today." Lionel attempted.
Cinder rolled her eyes and pushed her hair back. "No, just tell me how you're feeling. I want to know that you're alright."
"I'm alright." Lionel grinned.

"No, you're thinking about something else." Cinder narrowed her eyes. "What are you thinking about? Honest."
Lionel felt his cheeks become red and he fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. "It's nothing. Just stuff."
"It's never 'just stuff', Lionel." Cinder persisted. "Come on, tell me."
"Okay, fine. If you really want to know." Lionel breathed in. "I was thinking about Heather."

He waved his hands in the air. "No, no! Not like that."
"Like what then?" Cinder tried to keep her temper in check.
"Like..." Lionel tried to find a way to describe it. "We had a bit of an argument. I said I was hanging out with you and she wanted to hang out and I think she got a bit jealous and... I just don't want to have ruined our friendship."

"Is it just friendship?" Cinder asked quietly.
"What?" Lionel blinked. "As far as I can tell, yeah."
Cinder nodded. "Alright. Well, I'm finished. Do you want me to pay?"
"No, I will." Lionel's eyes sparkled. "My treat."

"Dana!" Ben walked next to the girl as they entered the building. "How has your weekend been so far?"
Dana shrugged. "Alright, I guess."
"Where's my happy Dana?" Ben asked. "Are you okay? You can speak to me, if you want."
"That's sweet." Dana gave a small smile. "Me and Ivy got into an argument."
Ben tilted his head. "Oh. About what?"
"It doesn't matter." Dana flicked a strand of hair. "Let's just have some fun, alright?"

They met Tyler inside and began to play the bowling tournament. Dana was having lots of fun - trying to decide which was her favourite colour and having to rely on the boys to help her lift it - but the boys found that the tournament was a lot more competitive, what with both of them there. When Dana wasn't looking, both would end up with a scowl and would flash each other annoyed glares.
"Out the way." Tyler nudged Ben away from the lane and took up his place.
Ben glowered. "Ass."
"Right back at you." Tyler snapped and took a shot.

By the end of the tournament, they waited excitedly - and nervously - for the results. When they got it, the boys tried to smile but it faltered into confusion and shame for the fact that they were so busy thinking about their own little competition, that they didn't even consider Dana.
It turns out that Dana won.
She shrieked and laughed and hugged both of them.
Both of them.

Hello!
I hope you enjoyed Chapter 26! My Easter break is almost over (still got Monday) but then I'll have to go back to updating maybe every weekend, perhaps once or twice in the weekdays if you are lucky. That's education for ya.
Thanks for all the support, it means a lot!
Guest - I will be adding Halfmoon at some point, yes.

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