"The flower isn't here, so stop rummaging through my pockets."
Elara caught Ariel's wandering hands and frowned, her tone sharp for once. "And besides—'Angel Wing' isn't ours yet."
Ariel blinked in confusion, her bright blue eyes wide and innocent. "Huh? Not ours? You didn't get it?"
Elara sighed, turning her face away so her expression wouldn't betray her. "No. I didn't. There were… reasons."
Her cheeks grew warm. The memory of that night — and of him — flickered unbidden in her mind.
Ariel plopped down beside her with a teasing grin. "You've changed, Elara. The old you would've just snatched the 'Angel Wing' and been done with it."
"People change when they get tired of the same dull days," Elara murmured, leaning lightly against her friend's shoulder. A small, wistful smile curved her lips. "I just wanted to try something different for once."
Ariel studied her closely, a spark of mischief glinting in her eyes. "Tell me, Elara… did you meet someone you like?"
