Page 23 of Starfall

“You didn’t bring her over for anything.”

Gabi glanced at Emery. “She couldn’t go out after school.”

Emery said, “I was in the foster care system. My social life wasn’t under my control.”

Levelle paused. “Oh. I am sorry. No family?”

“None that acknowledged me and definitely none that wanted to have me in their home. My mother passed after she had me, and I was the product of an assault, so her family didn’t want anything to do with me.”

Levelle paused. “You know all that?”

“Sure. It’s in my file, and my mother’s parents told me all about it when they met me in court to stop me from being adopted for the fourth time. I believe I was six by then. I had to look into what their words meant and figure things out later. Boy, was my teacher surprised when I wrote the report on what I researched during my vacation. The other kids all had to go into therapy, and the court system sued my mother’s family for assaulting a child and threatening to kill me. They put that on their social media. They stated that they wanted me dead and knew where I had been placed. It was enough to keep us from communicating and get them a fine.”

Levelle sat back and blinked.

Gabi whispered, “I had no idea.”

“Well, I have never lived with or even really talked to them, so they are just barriers to my happiness.” She shrugged. “Well, not anymore. I have fun luck.”

Gabi sighed. “Well, you are here and generally cheerful. Also, Rowen looks at you like he has just woken up in heaven.”

Levelle brushed blush on her cheeks. “You do seem familiar.”

“Yeah, that’s what he says.”

“You aren’t... oh, wow. He found you.” Levelle stared. “I thought he was nuts.”

“He is a bit. He charges into my diner and yells motivational speeches at his clients as they cheat with cinnamon buns.”

The artist paused. “Wait. That’s your place? He’s mentioned a little crabby owner.”

“That is also me, but I am currently stuck in this shape.” She shrugged. “I don’t have any clothes for this form.”

“Which is your normal form?”

Gabi smiled. “This one is. This is the one she had as a child.”

“What is your other form?”

Emery pulled out her phone and brought up a selfie in a mirror. She had done a fit check, and she showed Levelle.

“Oh. That must have driven him nuts.”

“What? In what way?”

“Oh, he likes curves... a lot.” Levelle smiled. “But he has never been serious about anyone.”

“Ah. Right.” She tried not to think about it.

“How about you? What’s your type?”

Emery blinked. “Oh. Um. Not a clue. Haven’t given it much thought.”

Gabi frowned. “Levelle, don’t talk about that. She and Rowen are adorable together. He’s constantly taking chances to touch and kiss her, and she lets him wrap his arms around her. That’s huge. She hates being touched.”

Emery blinked. She didn’t hate being touched. She just didn’t trust touching.

“So, Emery, how did Rowen find you?”

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