Page 22 of Mixing Drinks For Tipsy Weasels

"You can ask one of your own first, if you want."

"Hmmm, the only one I can think of is asking what's on your mind."

"Smooth," I murmur. "Okay, so, where does this leave us now?" I meet his gaze, trying to work out how he feels about me now that the childhood water is under the bridge. At least in theory. I want to leave all of that behind, especially if it means that the two of us can move on, but I don't want to assume anything.

"Where do you want it to leave us?"

"I'm not really sure," I admit. "I guess I'm not as frustrated with you as I used to be."

"Mmm, same. I might even be able to forgive you for the bouncy ball incident."

I snort. "You shoulddefinitelyforgive me for the bouncy ball incident, it was an accident, and a long time ago." A weird churning starts within me as I consider the next words that I want to say. "I've enjoyed being able to spend time with you over the past few weeks."

He meets my gaze, an earnestness there I haven't seen in years. "Same."

"And I don't want to go back to being strangers." The words hang between us, and I feel as if I'm waiting for an answer that will change everything, even if I know that isn't actually accurate. It doesn't matter what he says right now, my word will keep on turning regardless.

"I don't want that either," he says. "It's a shame that all of this happened at the end of the academy year."

"Yeah, didn't you move away?"

"Only to Bradford, it's not that far away," he says. "But we can message?"

"I'd like that." I smile at him and lean back in my seat, satisfied that we've finally managed to turn a corner in our friendship and get it back on track after years of animosity. The sensible part of me says that I should have just been able to move on and forget about him completely, but that doesn't feel right. Rupert was such an important part of my childhood, and it's always felt as if something was missing, and now I know what.

And maybe this way, I'll be able to have my childhood best friend back in my life, which is something I've barely been able to accept that I want, even if the feeling deep within me screams that it's true.

I just have to hope it doesn't end as painfully as the first time the two of us were friends, I don't think I could bear that being the case now that we've gotten to a better place.

Chapter 11

Rupert

I look around the room,hardly believing that we're actually almost done with ball prep. If there's anything I've learned from doing it this year, it's that I definitely want a party planner if I ever have an event like this. I don't think I'd be able to organise it myself, though Robin has done a fantastic job of getting everything ready.

"Wow, it looks amazing," a familiar voice says.

I turn to Erica and smile. "Doesn't it?"

"Hard to believe that we made a lot of that happen."

"Just us and our paws," I say, wiggling my fingers.

She snorts. "I didn't do any actual painting as a weasel. Can you imagine how long that would have taken? And you're bigger than me, it wouldn't have been so bad for you."

"How much time have you spent thinking about painting as a weasel?"

She shrugs. "More than I should. Where are Sami and D? I'd have thought they'd be here to see their handiwork too."

"They're checking out the photo booth," I say. "Which I think means they're trying to make out in there and get the perfect photo before there's a queue in a couple of days."

"I'd almost say that's genius," she responds. "But it's also helpful, I actually wanted to see you."

"Ominous."

"It's nothing bad, I don't think." She digs into her pocket. "I have something for you."

"Right?"

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