So they're not even together yet, but who cares? xD

~~~~~~~~

"Bingo."
I picked up the chair-turned-frog and stuck my wand in my pocket. I tossed the gurgling frog out the Hecate cabin window.

That chair was uncomfortable anyway...

I opened the door, expecting a crowd of my siblings to tackle me because I had tossed out their favorite chair.

Nothing. All was silent.

I breathed deeply and ran silently to the woods.

The woods were my escape. That place I went when life was pressured and people hated me because I was Araxie. Or at least I looked like her.

Because I was her sister... half sister.

About ten minutes into the forest, I saw it. The soft glow that was my secret place. A huge oak tree lit with lanterns. A magic warmth encased the bark, actually softening it like a bed. I could cry there and no one would hear me. I could moan and not disturb anyone. I could scream and no one would come running...

No one knew about it. It was completely intangible and invisible to everyone but me.

Then I peered at one of the upper branches. A figure rested lazily there with a cap over its face.

How...

I climbed up agilely to the particular branch; even with my ability to climb it was difficult.

Then I saw the person's face, and it was all over.

"Andrew?!" I screeched. "What are you doing here?"

He sat up, startled.

"Well?!"

He held up his hands. "Sheesh, I see what they meant by your temper."

"Not the time," I growled. "How. Did. You. Find. This. Tree?"

He frowned in confusion. "I don't know what you mean... it's just a tree, right?"

I sighed and glanced up at the darkening, velvety sky. "It's magic. It's supposed to be invisible and intangible to everyone but me."

"Maybe I have a way to tap into your brain." He wiggled his fingers and eyebrows at me.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed his arm and started pulling him down.

"Wait!" He pointed above my head. "Is that a grasshopper?"

I yelped and almost fell, but he grabbed my arm.

And before I knew what I was doing, he pulled my face close to his.

And then, in a moment of an atom explosion, and the world spinning out of orbit, and an asteroid crashing to the ground...

...we were kissing.

I didn't know if I liked it or not. All I knew was that his lips were incredibly soft, and he smelled like leaves and oranges.

And I knew I wouldn't be the one to break free.