A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 71- Before asking for someone's number, make sure you're prepared for the responsibility of responding promptly to their texts and keeping your phone charged.

The grin on Ashton's face should have been a warning. He releases my hand and in a smooth movement he slides an arm behind my back, loops another arm under my legs and picks me up. I squeal and kick my legs in shock. Fin takes a half step back to avoid being hit and I stop struggling not wanting to hurt anyone.

"Ashton! What are you doing?" I hiss at him, glancing over at Fin who is just casually watching and not really reacting at all. Seriously I have got to teach that guy to play poker, he would be raking it in. Ignoring my complaints, Ashton starts making his way down the stairs.

"Ashton!" I poke him in the chest but it makes me feel unsteady so I immediately wrap my arms back around his neck to steady myself.

"I am merely making sure that you do not hurt yourself on the staircase." Ashton answers with a smirk then casually glances at Fin who is following us down the stairs.

"Do you believe that you will need a phone as well or will one be enough for us?" Ashton asks him. Fin contemplates it for a moment.

"I do not know for sure, but I was under the impression that phones can be quite expensive. Kat, would purchasing two phones be a reasonable expense?" He asks, ignoring the embarrassing situation I've found myself in. I struggle to focus, trying to ignore the burning blush on my face.

"Uhm, well it would be expensive, yes. But if we get cheaper phones we should be able to afford it with the last of the money the mayor gave me. We can get more from him if needed but I have enough in my savings that I'd rather just use that and not ask him for anything. Cheaper phones will probably have less stuff for you both to learn to use anyway. And I would say we should just get a prepaid plan for a month or something. There's no point in getting a long term plan for the phones since they won't work when you go back home. Also you would need ID and stuff for anything more than that, and a fake one wouldn't work for that." I'm mostly thinking out loud and partially rambling because I'm feeling awkward. Although I can't say I'm disappointed about not having to go down all the stairs again. We make it to the bottom of the stairs but Ashton makes no movement to put me down. He just waits for Fin to open the door at the bottom of the stairwell and carries me out into the receptionists area. I consider struggling and trying to get down but I'm pretty sure that would only draw more attention to me at this point. I just sigh and resist the urge to hide my face against Ashton's shoulder.

"I'm pretty sure we're off the stairs, what's your excuse for carrying me now?" I ask with a pretend sigh, as if the entire experience is a huge inconvenience for me. It's more embarrassing than anything else.

"I would not want you to fall over here either. Perhaps I should just carry you everywhere from now on." He teases and I scoff and tug at his hair.

"I'm only cooperating because I don't want to cause any more of a scene at dad's work than you already have. If you try to do this on a regular basis I will be forced to find a way to retaliate." I threaten. Ashton laughs but doesn't get a chance to answer because the receptionist rushes out from behind the desk.

"Kat? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is she hurt?" She directs the question first to me, then to Ashton. She keeps going, looking me over and searching for injuries.

"You came out of the stairwell, did you fall? Should I get the first aid kit? Or I could call an ambulance? What do you need?" She says all in one rush.

"I'm fine. Promise. I didn't fall or anything and I'm not injured. Ashton is just... I don't know, he's just being silly and decided to carry me." I say with an embarrassed laugh. Ashton doesn't seem embarrassed in the slightest. He grins unabashedly.

"I picked Kat up as a joke, but I am enjoying the experience so I decided to continue for a while longer." He says as a way of explanation. The receptionist looks on with a sappy smile.

"Oh, that's so sweet. Okay, you guys have a great day." She waves at us. She clearly thinks Ashton is being romantic or something, enjoying holding me close or something equally sappy. I'm pretty sure he's just enjoying my embarrassment and is having fun teasing me. Ashton gives the receptionist a cheeky wink then continues out through the door that Fin is already holding open.

There are people in the car park and they are definitely staring.

"Unless Fin has magically learned to drive and gotten a licence, you're going to have to put me down." I point out as we approach the car. Ashton sighs dramatically.

"Oh very well, if I must." He carefully lowers my legs to the floor and doesn't release his hold of my back until he's sure I'm steady on my feet. When he finally steps back, I immediately retreat by unlocking the car and hopping in the driver's seat where I'm safe from being carried off again. Ashton and Fin get in their usual places with Ashton in the front passenger seat and Fin in the back where he can have a little bit of extra space for his wings. It really doesn't look all that comfortable back there. I bet he would enjoy a motorbike or something though. Sadly I don't know how to ride one so I can't show him that. I load the guys up with snacks from my bag and we head off to buy them phones. I might have to stock up on more snacks too while we're out. When I ordered them the first time I was only stocking up for one fae, not two.

Shopping for phones takes a lot longer than I had expected. Mostly because Fin's newly developed obsession for technology kicks in and he ends up in a very long discussion with a rather confused shop assistant who explains the pros and cons of just about every phone in the store. We end up picking out the cheapest version of a smartphone that they kept in the store. They probably don't need smartphones, but they've been using my phone to learn on so far and I figure it will be easier for them if it's a bit more similar. Also Fin is so excited by the device and the touch screen that I would have gotten him one just for that alone. We go to lunch and I help the guys set up their phones.

"So, they have a bit of power now but when we get home you'll need to plug them in to charge them." I remind them both and point out the little percentage in the corner that shows how much power the devices still have. I think this is the first meal we've had where both guy's attention isn't solely focussed on the food in front of them. In fact it's the longest meal we've had because they're so excited by their phones.

"Kat, how do I call you?" Ashton asks eagerly.

"Well, first you need my phone number." I explain to them how to add the numbers to their phones and walk them through calling my phone. I also save their new numbers to my phone while I'm at it. Ashton gets caught up by the camera next and spends the next few minutes taking several photos of us and everything else in sight. Photos that I do not want to see because I suspect they are blurry because he can barely sit still. Fin is staring at the 'add contact' option but not doing anything. His face is as controlled as usual, but based on his enthusiasm for phones I expected him to be playing with it a lot more.

"Are you alright Fin?" I prompt. He looks up at me, seeming a little perplexed.

"How would I go about contacting someone if I do not yet have their phone number?" I have to repress a grin. I bet I know what this is about.