We walked for a while in silence, enjoying the cool evening air. Now that summer was almost over, there weren't as many kids out playing or testing their magic.
"Jewel?"
"Yes, Logan?" We paused in our movement, only a few feet away from a large cherry blossom tree where a few kids were being adventurous and climbing its enormous branches.
"Are you sure you don't want to try magic school? Or even pursue becoming a mage warrior?" Logan questioned.
I bet he didn't like the idea of me wasting my magic, just like Alice and everyone else.
I wanted to avoid the topic, but he turned to face me, his hands resting on my hips.
"I'm serious, Jewel. Do you really want to forgo this chance?"
"I . . . ," I trailed off. Logan lifted his hands to cradle my face, forcing me to look directly into his gold eyes.
"I get that what happened to Gabriel will always be embedded in your mind, Jewel, especially when it comes to using magic. I just want to make sure you don't regret this decision. You were so passionate about being a mage warrior when you were younger. Now, you avoid using magic except occasionally to ensure you don't get rusty,” he commented.
I nibbled on the left side of my lip, not wanting to admit he was right.
"I'll think about it a bit more," I whispered.
He stared at me for another thirty seconds before he took a deep breath and pulled me into a hug.
"Please, Jewel. Just make a decision that will make you happy. I don't want to pressure you. I just want to be sure you don’t have any regrets in the future. Okay?"
"Okay," I replied, returning his hug. "I wish you wouldn't be so far away, though," I whispered.
He tightened his hold on me, and I closed my eyes when his lips pressed gently on the base of my neck. "I know, Jewel. I wish you could come with me. Would have been nice if the school was unisex."
"If you were there, maybe I'd go," I confessed in a hushed tone.
He lifted his head to grin at me; the seductive smirk made me want to kiss those lips of his.
"Would you now? We'd make a good team. I heard the entrance test is partnered up. I'd choose you in a heartbeat.” He winked.
I giggled.
"We'd cause more chaos together than good."
"The duo of mischief. Those were the good old days." Logan laughed.
"Your parents hated when I came over. We'd always end up breaking something," I added with a chuckle.
"I loved every moment of it,” he confessed, pressing his forehead against mine.
"Get down already! You’re gonna hurt yourself!"
We turned our attention to three kids who were crowded around the base of the large tree.
They were all looking up, and we followed their gaze to see two kids at the highest branch.
"I can do it!" The smaller blond-haired kid declared, but his facial expression showed his hesitation.
The older kid next to him with ginger hair rolled his eyes.
"We didn't climb all the way up here for you to wimp out. You said you could cast the spell. Here's your chance to prove it,” he huffed.
"Let's just stop and go home. If he gets hurt, we’re gonna be in big trouble!" the kid on the ground standing in the middle announced.