hapter Seven of "Hidde

unds buzzed with the restless energy of spring. Somewhere in the distance, a lawnm

l moved in slow, deliberate arcs, shading the soft outline of a boy's profile-jaw sharp, hai

ghosts?" a fami

ide her and sat down with the quiet thud

osing the sketchbook. "Just...

been different lately. Quieter, but not in a

htened around the p

. just don't disappear inside it. You still m

and unspoken. Elara nodded, no

y from benches, away from paths. He leaned against a tree like

ached. "You look like a

g. "Only if it's the

softly. "Don't say

pa

retend this is easier t

The space between th

id. "But that doesn't m

d. "You always k

just say what I'm a

the sky began to melt into rose and gold. The quiet between

teps. Fast.

oice called out, uncert

ther. Sophomore. Too obs

etween them. Liam

learly realizing he had. "Just-Maren said y

suddenly thudding

iam with quiet recognition

Liam sai

them, the kind that meant somet

eft, Elara t

egins?" she asked

m, steady. "Or maybe this is how it beg

ame in fragile waves, Elara dreamed of gardens growing in

or Jonah becoming more involved), or perhaps start teasing a complication that challenge