Dad plopped down next to me in the grass, not caring that it was wet. “We’ve taken a few walks together. He’s a smart boy. Has an eye for botany.”
It kind of warmed my heart that he’d been spending time with Dad. I pushed aside that nice thought and told myself not to care.
“I think it’s a shame that he sits all alone at meals,” Mom said. “Nobody pays him any mind.”
“Yes, it’s a shame,” Dad agreed. “I think bad habits have formed over the years, and it doesn’t help that McKale’s introverted. Somewhere along the line he closed himself off to relationships with the others, so he’s partially to blame for having no friends.”
“He does have a friend,” Cass said.
“Who? That Clourichaun boy?” Mom asked. “I imagine it’s not the same as having a close friend in his own clan, though. The Clour don’t share the same work ethic as the Chaun.”
“The Clour have responsibilities in their clan,” Cassidy said. “I mean, I assume they do, because otherwise how could they live. You know?”
“Doing the bare minimum to get by is a little different than having a hard-working, productive society,” Dad told her. “It may seem sexist the way the Chaun have rigid responsibilities for the men and women, but each individual’s role is important. Everyone benefits from one another’s hard work.”
Cassidy didn’t contradict or say anything else.
“You know you can talk to us, Robyn.” Mom reached out and took my hand.
“I know,” I told her. “Thank you.”
Inside, I was a bundle of confusion. I wanted them to like McKale and I was afraid if I told them what happened with the FFG, they would get upset all over again. I didn’t want to incite “Protective Dad Mode” and I wasn’t sure how much we needed to worry at this point.
Eventually the sky darkened and the rain started again, so we gathered our things and began walking back to the village. Mom and Dad took the lead, swinging their linked hands back and forth. None of us were bothered by the soft sprinkles. We’d gotten used to being rained on.
“Good job playing hard to get with McKale,” Cassidy whispered as we walked.
“That’s not really what I’m trying to do.”
“Well, it’s working. He just stares when you play soccer and when you dance at the festivals.”
“Maybe he’s staring because he can’t believe he’s betrothed to an Amazon woman.”
“Oh, please.” Cassidy laughed. “If you saw the way he was looking, it’s more like he’s caught between whether or not to punch something or eat you up.”
“Whatever.” I really did not want to get my hopes up.
“It’s not his fault the FFG’s stalking him.”
“I know, but…” But what? “You didn’t see them together.”
“His body has an auto-response to her magic, Robyn. You should be pulling him closer not pushing him away.”
I grunted. The fact of the matter was that the FFG was a problem, and she wasn’t going away. I couldn’t seem to stop my instinct of self-preservation.
“Let’s find the guys and hang out with them tonight!” Cassidy hopped a little as she walked by my side.
“No, Cass. I’m tired and it’s raining. I just want to go to bed.”
She exhaled dramatically and flopped her arms down at her side. “Are you, like, depressed or something?”
I bristled. I didn’t want to be depressed, but maybe I was. And at the moment Cassidy’s pushiness made me feel unreasonably annoyed.
“I’m honestly tired,” I said. “I get up early and work all day, while some people get to sleep in because they stayed out all night playing.”
“Hey, I help out sometimes. And you don’t have to bite my head off, geez. I’m just surprised by how you’re acting. I mean, if you want to give up so easily, that’s your prerogative.”
“I’m not giving up. But I’m also not getting involved in whatever game McKale and the FFG are playing. He hasn’t even tried to talk to me. I don’t expect you to understand. You’re in a pressure-free relationship with a guy who doesn’t have a life-sized murderous Barbie telling him to stay away from you.”
Up ahead, Mom turned to glance at us and we smiled automatically, lowering our voices.
“Well, if it was me, I’d fight for him. That’s all I’m saying.”
“How do you fight a Fae, Cass? You can’t! Even if I somehow make him really want me, I can’t make her stop wanting him!”
“I was only trying to talk, sheesh. Calm down and take a Midol,” she grumbled, quickening her footsteps until she was alongside our parents.