Do you like me?

*POV* Cassy Iris Aleera

Aira calling my name made me pull away from Clay's warmth. She stepped into the kitchen. "Your mother said she wants to talk to you."

She gave us a long glance before smiling, I gave her a nod and Clay a pat on his arm before I straightened my back and headed into the living room.

I entered my parents room, to see my mother stuffing clothes into three bags. "We don't have to go tell in the morning." I reminded her.

She sighs plopping onto the bed. "I know, but if I don't keep my hands busy I will end up walking down to beat up Mr. Caven."

I understood her frustration. "Where did Father go to anyways?" She fiddled with something and didn't look at me. "He went to see if maybe we could get help from his brother."

I eyed her. "My uncle Rease? Doesn't he hate us." My mother sighed again. "Yeah he does, but with what is happening we were hoping he would take us in."

Uncle Rease lived 4 hours walk away from the village in an even smaller village. "What if he doesn't take us?" She threw up her hands.

"Can we just hope? Please?" She stood. "Now I got to go explain to grandma that we have to leave. Where is Vivian?"

I had almost forgot about Vivian in the commotion. "Not sure." I say as I follow her from the room. "We should get our guests something to eat."

She took me as we entered the living room. She headed for the door, I looked around to see Mink and Aria taking about wind magic while the cookie thief fiddled with my mothers rock figures that resembled our family.

"Aria." I called and Aira apologized to Mink and moved to my side. "What is it?" I pulled on her arm and dragged her into my room.

"You seem more excited than usual, aren't you sad we are leaving?" She shrugged. "Why should I be. I am going to come too." I gave her a look.

And she grinned. "You didn't really think I wouldn't take this chance?" I sighed. "Would you be willing to make some dinner for our guests, I am going out."

Aria stared at me suspiciously. But I ignored her and left the room. I left through the kitchen door noticing I hadn't seen Clay in the living room.

Aria shouted something as I left but I didn't catch it and walked past piercing eyes that judged my every move.

I knocked on Fred's front door with a pounding fist. It swung open a second later. "What?" He huffed out in annoyance.

"Oh it's you." He said before his face got dark. "Is Aira with you? She never came home." I shook my head. "I came to talk to you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why.?" I stepped forward and he stepped back.

"I came to talk to you about how you treat her." He stared at me. "And why is that any of your business.?"

"Because she is my friend, you know she doesn't feel safe around you. Right?! I told him. "And you wonder why she never comes home."

His eyes looked over my shoulder and he took another step back before grabbing me by the arm and pulling me into the house. "Listen." He said holding tightly to my arm.

"I love Aria, and if she doesn't feel safe, why doesn't she tell me that herself." I glared at him. "If you love her then show it, because the way I see it you act like a douche."

He let go of me and I turned for the door. "She wants to leave with me and my family and I am not sure she planned to tell you that." His eyes widened but I quickly left the house only to bump into Mr. Caven.

"Sorry." I muttered. He reached for my arm. "What did I tell you about talking in my head!" He screeched at me. I yanked my arm away from him. "What does it matter?"

With that I turned and ran towards my house.

I spotted Clay even before I reached the house he was walking towards me down the path. "Oh hey." He said. "I have been looking for you. I was wondering if we could talk." I nodded. "Follow me."

We entered the tree line, and I turned to him. "What is it?" He took a breath. "I wanted to talk about that hug." He voiced.

I stopped. "What about the hug?" I eyed him, trying my best to hold back my blush. "You didn't feel it?" My head buzzed with questions.

"Feel what?" His eyes wided. "What do you mean, 'feel what.' You didn't feel anything, I was hoping you lik-."

He stopped, his face turning red and his eyes drifting to the tree behind me. "What hug are you talking about?" I asked, watching him.

"The accidental one, or the one in the kitchen.." my voice trailed off and my cheeks burned as I remembered his warmth.

His eyes met mine again. "So did you feel it?" He asked again. "Yeah…" I breathed. He stepped forward and I had to look up to meet his eyes.

My heart raced faster. "So…" I looked into his steel blue eyes. "So?" "Can we hug again?" He asked and I gave a slight nod. His arms wrapped around him and his warmth once again engulfed me. "What is this tension I am feeling?" Monique's voice entered my head.

I shut her out and wrapped my arms around him in return. "I like you Cassy." Clay whispered beside my ear. I couldn't help but pull back a little and give him a smile.

He returned it. His face slowly began to close the distance when Monique's voice once again entered my head.

"Cassy do you hear that!?" My ears focused and to my dismay I heard screaming coming from the village.