Sweet Dandelion

He tosses his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close playfully. “Gotta look out for my girl.”

“By getting me a flower?” I smile up at him.

He shakes his head. “No, by getting you to smile.”

My smile grows and I hug his side. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

We enter the art room, sitting at our usual table. I lay the rose down gently and go to get my current project, a watercolor of the Eiffel Tower, we were each assigned a landmark to do a watercolor of. Ansel is doing Big Ben.

Mrs. Kline barks out instructions for us to get our paints and get to work. The painting is due by the end of the week. I’m actually pleased with how mine is turning out, the blending of the pastel colors and the purposeful random drops.

“Do you have any plans this weekend?” Ansel asks, returning to the table with glasses of water for each of us to dip our brushes in.

“Not that I know of.”

Sage found another job and has only been there the last two weeks. He seems to be enjoying it more than the last, he’s home at a decent time, and he isn’t ending up working at home either. It’s too soon to know for sure, but I think it’s a better fit for him.

“We should go do something.”

“Like what?” Before he can answer, I get up to grab my paints.

When I return he says, “We could head to the slopes for the day. I’ll teach you how to ski. Or snowboard. Whichever you prefer.”

“You realize I hate the cold, right? Playing in snow isn’t my idea of a good time.”

He laughs. “Come on, it’s one of the best parts of living here. It’s an experience.”

I know he has a point. “Fine, let’s do it. But ask Sasha and Seth too.”

“Already have and they’re in.”

It makes me feel a little better to know he didn’t ask me first.

“Okay, let’s do it then.”

I’m probably going to regret this, but I remind myself that even if I make a fool of myself the memories will be worth it.

“How was your lunch?” Lachlan asks when I enter his office.

“Chatty.” Everyone, well all of us except Seth, spend the thirty minutes discussing this weekend and how it’s going to go.

Apparently Ansel has permission to borrow his mom’s SUV so we’ll all meet at his house and go from there. I’m sure Sage won’t mind dropping me off.

Okay, he probably will since Ansel is involved but he’ll be fine when he realizes Sasha and Seth are going too.

“Chatty, huh?”

“Yep,” I reply. “I’m going skiing tomorrow.”

He arches a brow. “That so?”

“Ansel is going to teach me.”

“Nice flower.” He eyes the one in my hand. There’s a funny tone to his voice, irritation maybe, but he clears his throat and I pretend I didn’t notice.

“It’s from Ansel.” He makes a sound. “He said yellow is for friendship.”