BEEP BEEP BEEP

Blue sat up, his head full of fog. His blanket was half off the bed and his pillow was rumpled. His thoughts felt thick and slow as he waited for his head to wake up.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

He hit his alarm with more force than necessary, and stood up waiting for balance. The last few nights had been exhausting, and his body hadn't appreciated it.

Someone knocked on his door. Luna poked her blond head into his room. "Welcome back to the land of the living." She grinned. "But seriously, you slept like a log, are you ok?"

"Yeah. Just tired." Blue rubbed his eyes.

"Hmm." Luna eyed her brother. "Well, Swordtail is going to pick us up in about ten minutes. Get ready quickly." She slipped out again, closing the door.

Once Blue was dressed, he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and hair. He didn't recognize the person in the mirror, circles under his eyes, marks on his face where the pillow pressed had against him, ruffled hair.

I've got to stop doing this.

Swordtail arrived when Blue was eating breakfast. Silverspot had kissed Blue and Luna on the cheek before she hurried out the door, and Burnet gave them each a hug. Luna sat shotgun, talking and laughing with Swordtail, while Blue tried to not fall asleep in the back.

Sundew is at Willow's house, probably having a great time. She's going to be at school today as well as Cricket. I'll be able to talk with them just like I do every day. I don't need to worry.

But he couldn't help worrying about all the secrets, and he wished he could dump it all out to Luna or his moms, or even Swordtail. But he'd definitely need to talk to Cricket before doing that.

Blue started thinking about Cricket, and the night he held her hand, and how she said she had liked it. Did she like him the way he liked her? Or was she just being nice? It was way too easy to imagine that she was just being nice and just saw him as a friend. How could he ever know? What if he asked her, and it turned out he was only a friend? Blue didn't think he could bare it if that happened. But what if Cricket liked him back? Then everything would be perfect, and he could live off the pure happiness for the rest of his life.

Blue took a deep breath as the school came into sight. The time would need to be just right. He would need to know what to say and how. And when.

They got out of the car and walked up to the front doors.

There was a school dance coming up in a week, that would be a good time to ask. Yes. I'll wait until next week. That will work. What can go wrong in one week?