ent, it felt like gravity pulling them together - their faces so

ply against his pocket, jol

one, his eyes flashing with something

tened, crossing her arms across her chest, masking the st

ng in his hand, before finally answeri

, I'll be there in a bit," h

ssed her fingers lightly to the spot on her waist where his hand ha

nst her ribs, even though she fo

nd sighed. "I'll have to

gesture that said no

second, the weight of what earlier h

Merlina asked, he

is eyes. "Yeah. Just... my girlfriend." He said it casually, b

han it should have. "But really,"

vulnerable - not now, not in front of him. She drew a deep bre

a faint smile. "I think I

rd si

ipping into something alm

smile she didn't feel. "I'm good, tha

wasn't quite ready to wa

r of them spoke. The space between them was

" he said finally, v

," she answered,

te directions. The city lights blurred at the edges

ully, the memory of him cling

ting silver shapes on the walls. Merlina lay on her bed, ph

her mind whis

the memories poured in anyway - the brush of Craig's fingers, the way he had looked at her like she w

ed into the darkness. "Just

lay shirtless on his bed. Adriana was curled a

than affection. Craig stared blankly at his phone in his

't help. In the darkness, he only saw Merlina - the way her eyes h

t had fel

ep and snuggled closer. Craig hugged her back absently, then c

n. Mind

rooms. Sam

m could shake. One tryin

r not re

door burst open and Phoebe tumbled i

inning like a kid at Christmas. "Morni

rouse her. Megan groaned under her blanket, her voice m

-eyed, smirked. "What

d it in. "You won't believe it! I h

er around her. "Later, Phoebe," she mumbled, h

sted, practically bouncing. "K

gan blurted at the same

! He asked me out last night

refully, frowning. Phoebe just shrug

al brow. "Tell me you

tic. "It wasn't planned. But trust me, it

s time in exasperation.

a added gently. "But mayb

iend material 101." They all laughed - a little uneasy but relieved t

ased, "how'd things e

ond, but forced a casual shrug.

hear more, but in

th Keith this morning," Phoebe said

lipping back - to Craig, to the way his eyes had softened

ed herself firmly. She pushed the m

or who died here at Belview?" she asked, st

ly sobered, all la