Chris was lost in thought: he was, without a doubt, ecstatic about seeing Winter again, even if it meant having to endure Ian’s company just as well, though Winter's presence of course raised the question of how in the deserts was he going to get through the actual battle against Her Majesty. Chris did have some basic dueling knowledge and Winter had asked Ian to help him train as well, but this wasn’t just some random little school tournament here; he would have to face none other than the Queen herself.

And too much was on the line for a loss to even be considered.

On the other hand, he thought, if he won, maybe Winter would praise him.

His heart fluttered.

“Hey, Chris!”

Daniel had the sort of irritating smile that Chris had learned to read all too well: his friend could practically read his thoughts.

“What?”

“You were beaming just now. What’s up?”

“This and that.”

“Uh-huh. Anything to do with the fact that the love of your life is here again?”

“Well…” Chris pulled up his shoulders, considering Daniel’s mocking smile. He then looked back up, “Yeah, actually.”

His friend snickered. “Didn’t even deny it, huh. Must be the real deal. Whatever am I to do now, having been so cruelly rejected, and I haven’t even confessed yet!”

“Daniel! Be serious!”

“Man, are you for real? Wasn't it just, like, I'm-used-to-crushing-on-her-so-I-can't-quit sort of thing?”

Chris looked at the table, frowning. “No.”

“How do you know?”

“Uh…well… I can’t sleep sometimes, I mean… when I start thinking about—anyway, I just… I can’t…” his mind felt heavy. “Whatever, it makes sense, okay?”

It wasn’t like he didn’t know. The only person that he had ever had eyes for, the only person he cared to have eyes for... and it wasn't like it wasn't obvious.

But saying it was different. Especially to Daniel. Chris knew his friend well, and for someone who had a way with words and a leaning towards poetry as Daniel had, he was strangely rational when it came to feelings in real life.

Chris had a suspicion that Julia had never been made aware of this.

“I'm really in love with her.”

After a pause, Daniel whispered with an increasingly dramatic voice, “Oh, Unfrozen dear, what a shock! Alert the papers! Call the TV-stations! We must get this on the eleven o’clock news!”

Chris rolled up his eyes.

“Daniel, I’m not kidding! I know, okay?”

“Let me see if I get this right… you’ve had a crush on this girl since the seventh grade and now you’re telling me it’s possible that you’ve suddenly fallen for her even more? I thought you were over it by now.”

“Why would I be?” Chris asked him, offended. “Doesn’t it make more sense now?”

“Chris, this is not an epic poem,” sighed his friend, closing his eyes for a moment. “I mean, you don’t even know that much about her.”

“You’re forgetting I spent a lot of time in with her before,” replied Chris indignantly. “I got to know her a little better, yeah?”

“How much can you get to know a person like her? I mean, no offense, but it’s not like she does much else besides boss people around.”

Chris decided to keep to himself the thought that he’d probably seen more expressions on Winter’s face than their entire school put together, and that he was highly against the notion that she was some sort of walking talking icicle. Instead, Chris decided to poke at a nerve.

“I’m surprised…you didn’t know Julia much either until you started going out, and now you’re on the I love you’s all the time, I figured you’d get where I’m coming from.”

Daniel shook his head. “It's not the same. And that’s just something you say when you've been with someone for five months. It doesn’t mean we’re in love. I care about her and all, but… come on, let’s face it, no high school relationship lasts much. They’re just flings.” After a short pause, he added “I give it a maximum of two more months for us.”

Daniel’s voice was quite bitter at this point.

“Does she know that?” Chris asked, trying not to give way to sarcasm.

Daniel answered, “I don’t mean that so literally. It isn’t like in two months I’ll stand up and say ‘well, babe, time’s up.’ It’s just a guess based on the fights we’ve been having lately…the sun is slowly setting on our days. Or something. Also she knew that all of that was just... me trying. Look, the situation for you is completely different. I’m just not sure you can really trust Winter.”

Chris tensed up. “You’ve never said that before.”

“We’ve never been dragged out to Northland before.”

“But since you are here…”

“I trust you, man, not Winter or that… Christian guy.”

Chris grit his teeth. “Well, I do.”

It was the same story everywhere he went; people would tell him that, sure, Winter seemed reliable and, sure, she was a good leader and of course she was the strongest person they’d ever met, but still, keep your guard up, you never know with her… what she might really be thinking...

Daniel gave him a short unreadable look. “Right, well. I’m just telling you not to give in to your feelings too quickly right now. Maybe it’s temporary.” Daniel stood up. “I’ll be heading up.”

“Good night.” Chris moved his gaze towards the table again. He didn’t quite feel like moving yet.

“And, Chris, don’t get me wrong. I wish you the best of luck, I hope… whatever it is, works out. And if you do decide to go for it and need any advice, I’m here for you.” He yawned. “Just not this evening, man, I’m beat.”

Chris forced a smile. “Thanks.”

“And at least think about what I said, yeah?”

“Sure.”

He felt Daniel pat his shoulder as he passed by him.