The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,86

a gorgeous glowing teal.

"Smooth, huh?" he teased, lifting me higher into the air until I hovered above his outstretched arms. The wind stopped abruptly, and I dropped right into his arms.

"You can't carry me and a bouquet of flowers," I reasoned.

"You underestimate my ability to multitas-GAH!" he began, taking a step forwards but slipping. I snapped my fingers, my wind element surging to life and stopping us from falling onto the ground.

"Yes, I'm too smooth for you." I giggled.

"Show off," he mumbled as I twirled my hand around to strengthen the gust of wind and lift him back up. Once his feet were back on the snowy surface, I snapped my fingers again to cancel it out.

I playfully kicked my feet, enjoying the comfort of still being in his arms.

"Still going to try to multitask?"

"I'll pass," he muttered with the cutest pout on his lips. He lowered me back to the ground just as the florist came out with two bouquets of roses. One was a mix of black and red roses and the other contained pure white ones.

My eyes immediately went to the red and black ones, loving the combination of the two. I was sure the black roses were dyed because it was almost impossible to get them.

"Sorry for the delay. Two bouquets of roses." She offered them to Zackery, who grinned and bowed his head in gratitude.

"Thank you very much!"

She grinned and hurried back inside, only to come out seconds later. She presented a red and black mini teddy bear to me. I blinked and stared at the cute doll, glancing up to see her smile.

"A gift for your patience. It matches your outfit," she complimented.

"Are...you sure? I can pay," I offered.

“Not at all. Think of it as a Christmas gift. You two are a lovely, patient couple," she praised, her words making me blush as I took the teddy bear from her.

"Thank you." I gave her a wide smile.

"Not at all. Get home safely, you two. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" We waved goodbye, waiting for her to retreat indoors and turn the OPEN sign off. I looked to Zackery, who was watching me with a loving expression.

"I'm really glad we got here on time. Thanks, Jade."

"It wasn't a big deal," I admitted. "Traveling with dark magic is tricky but it's faster than being stuck in that traffic disaster."

I looked to the teddy bear and grinned. "Plus! I got a tedd—"

"Mine!"

"Ah!" Zackery and I flinched at Shadow Jade's sudden appearance. She was wearing just pajamas, getting odd expressions from the people across the street.

"Shadow Jade? You really appeared out of nowhere," I pointed out. "Aren't you cold?"

"No. Teddy bear!" She pointed to the bear in my hands.

"You want it for your collection, don't you?"

Her wide grin made me shake my head as I sighed. "I spoil you."

"Please?" she pleaded and blinked her eyes.

"Fine.” I smiled and offered it to her. "Force Zeus to help you organize."

"Okay! Kill! Bye!" She took the bear happily, and with a little wave, she vanished in a poof of fading dark energy.

We had a moment of silence before we exchanged looks. "My teddy was kidnapped."

Zackery chuckled. "You would have given it to her anyway," he pointed out, offering me the bouquet of red and black roses. "That's why I figured you'd want these instead."

"Huh? You...bought these for me?!" I gawked at him while accepting the bouquet.

"Unexpected smooth move, huh?" He gave me a charming wink before offering his arm. I grinned from ear to ear, hooking my arm in his giving him a little squeeze.

"Thank you, Zackery," I said as we began to walk away from the shop.

It was Christmas Eve and Zackery had asked me to go out with him to fetch something before we went over to my place for our little Christmas Eve gathering.

It was the first holiday where I was actually inviting friends over.

Or boyfriends, I should say.

The weeks since the incident in the showers had zoomed by with no other issues.

Whether it was a hallucination or not, Zion had sped up the process of making my meds, and I had now been on them for two months with no side effects. Not only did they prevent hallucinations, but they were also helping me sleep better.

That and the occasional nights spent cuddled in one of the Maxwell brothers’ arms did the trick. There had yet to be any more reports of students showing up dead from self-inflicted injuries, and things seemed to be back to normal at Tracker Hive