Page 15 of A Thousand Broken Pieces

“Okay, then let’s keep going,” Leo said.

Cael released my ankle, and I felt a cold breeze wrap around me at his absence. He stood again then, rocking on his feet, like he was debating something in his head. Then he offered me his arm. “Do … do you need help the rest of the way up?”

I didn’t answer with words. They escaped me at that moment. Instead, I carefully threaded my arm through his and let him walk beside me as we caught up to the others, who were waiting for us at the top. I tried to ignore the light fluttering of wings in my chest that his offer brought.

Dylan flanked my other side. When I felt his stare burning into me, I turned, only for him to subtly nudge his head in Cael’s direction and gave me a bewildered expression. I knew Dylan only liked me as a friend; he’d given me zero romantic vibes. And he clearly found Cael helping me as surprising as I did.

I hadn’t had many friends in my life. My sisters were always my everything. But I had felt an instant connection with Dylan. He was sweet. And funny. And I was pretty sure he was a complete lost soul, just like me. Only his bubbly personality awarded him a better facade, and his suffering was successfully disguised.

Cael’s arm was strong under mine. He didn’t say anything as we climbed.But our shared silence didn’t feel strained. It was …nice. Peaceful. I’d always been quieter in nature. I didn’t need noise to fill any kind of void.

But this, to be serenely silent with another person, was a blessing I wasn’t expecting on this trip. People always wanted to talk. It seemed Cael shared my preference for silence.

When we reached the top step, any cold I had been feeling from the harsh wind and low temperatures had vanished, and a sheen of sweat covered my forehead.

I fought to cool down, to catch my breath, my thighs screaming in exertion.

“Are you okay?” Lili asked me. Jade and Mia listened in too.

“Yeah, I promise. I just slipped.”

My head was lowered in embarrassment. But then I felt Cael’s arm tense underneath mine, a sharp breath escaping his lips. I looked up. I exhaled a quick breath too at the sight before me—the view that had captured Cael’s attention. A green patchwork quilt of English countryside stretched before us. Trees of all shades of green and browns, stone walls, and snow-covered bare branches made an oil painting from the view. A mist roiled over the ground, like the sky had lowered to join with the earth for a few sacred hours.

It was utterly beautiful.

“Everyone grab a drink of water, and let’s keep going,” Gordon said, breaking through my admiration. As I went to take off my backpack, I realized my arm was still threaded through Cael’s, holding on like he was my lifeline.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, flustered, as I quickly withdrew my arm. I busied myself with my water. When I glanced up, I caught Cael’s intense gaze locked onto me, but I quickly ducked my head. My cheeks felt set ablaze. My first thought was that Ida would be screaming in excitement right now, making suggestive comments and egging me on.

She had texted me last night, and Cael had ended up being the subject.

IDA:

How’s England?

ME:

---