Page 57 of In Between Darkness

“Now, I just come here when I need time to think,” he says with a small smile. “You know… to get away from all the madness out there.” He lets out a dry laugh and points toward Sun Sovereign.

I understand what he means. This place… in here… It’s like a whole other world.

“I get it. Who needs therapy when you have this?” I say, not entirely joking.

I take my cream cardigan off and wrap it around my waist, exposing my white vest top. It sure is hot here.

“Exactly… It gets better.”

He smiles, his dimples appearing, and takes my hand, leading me over to the left side of the dome. We turn a corner, and I see a blanket lying across a grassy bed. The waterfall is crashing down behind it and into a glistening pool, which thins and feeds into streams around the dome. He ushers me to sit down on the blanket next to him and pulls out a straw basket from a bush beside it.

I sit down with my legs off to the side, resting my weight onto my right arm.

I watch as River pulls out two wrapped sandwiches from the basket and hands one to me.

“A BLT without the T, just how you like it.” He smiles at my shocked reaction.

“Okay,nowI’m surprised.” He definitely did his homework.

“See, I pay attention.” He winks at me and dives deeper into the basket. “And I also have these.” He shows me a pot of bright red strawberries, which I am assuming we will share, and a vanilla cupcake with a buttercream swirl. A single candle stands tall, cradled by its frosting. “Couldn’t have your birthday without a cake.”

“Thank you… This is perfect.”

The light radiates off his blonde hair, making him look angelic.

“But you know we don’t really celebrate birthdays here.”

“Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.” He smirks and places the items down on the blanket in front of us. “One last thing,” he says, his voice trailing off as he places his hand back in the basket.

“Seriously…there’s more?” I cut him off, astounded at the number of surprises he has already made for me.

“This one’s more of a joke item.” He chuckles and I am lost for a moment, until he pulls out a clear glass flask with a cork in the top, filled with an orange liquid. “I promise it is just regular liquor this time.”

He laughs again and pops the cork, taking a swig before gesturing it towards me. I take the flask and swig it quickly. The orange liquid runs down my throat; it is sweet and less harsh than last time, but the kick is still present. I clear my throat.

“Now I regret not taking potion class,” I say, which makes River smile.

“Just make friends that take it; that’s what I do.” Of course, he would say that. He has lots of friends. I don’t think I’ve met one person who doesn’t love him. Apart from Ryder.

“Easier said than done,” I say sarcastically, taking another swig of the orange liquor.

“Oh yeah. I forgot I was talking to the troublemaker,” he jokes, which makes me laugh. I playfully hit him on the arm.

“Hey, I don’t make the trouble. It just seems to follow me.”

I wasn’t lying. It’s true. Ever since I was little, trouble followed me around.

My thoughts then digress to this newfound power that runs through my veins. Of course it happened to me. Over two thousand people at this school, and I’m one of the Starkind.

“I know I’m only playing.” He picks up a strawberry and plucks the stem off. “They’re just jealous of you, you know.” He pops the whole thing into his mouth.

“I don’t think they’re jealous of me.” I force a small smile and pick up my sandwich, unwrapping the film around it.

“You’re right. Maybe they’ve seen Alex in the healing quarters way too many times and are just scared to death.” He chuckles, and I nudge him amusingly. “I’m kidding. How could they not be jealous? You’re smart and extremely beautiful.”

My cheeks turn crimson, and he leans in closer to me, smirking. “Plus, you’re dangerous with a knife.”

I take a bite of my sandwich and rest my head on his shoulder, watching nature thrive in front of us. I look up at him, and our eyes connect briefly in the silence between us before I look away.