A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 79- When you’re unwell the only decision you should make is to choose between types of soup.

My heart is racing, I'm not totally sure that I can breathe and almost against my will, my hands are clutching the front of Ashton's shirt. After a long moment he pulls away. Ashton has an incredibly smug smile on his face and he reaches out with the hand that was on my shoulder to caress my cheek gently.

"I am satisfied with that answer." He says softly and he pulls me close again into a hug. I remember how awkward he was the first time we hugged and compare it to how comfortable he seems now. What the hell happened there? Now that I can't see his face, my brain starts working again. That kiss was... Wow. Definitely something that I would want to repeat. But if i'm being smart then I definitely shouldn't. I've gone over the reasons why it's a bad idea to fall for Ashton dozens of times now, I just can't seem to listen to my own advice. He's going to leave and this is going to end. I need to get that through my head. I take a deep breath, unclench my fingers from Ashton's shirt and push away from him. He watches me curiously as I disentangle myself from him and get to my feet.

"I..." I pause, not sure what I want to say. I end up shaking my head and just settle on a very awkward half smile that probably looks slightly pained.

"I need to think." I stammer out. Then I turn on the spot and dash down the hallway to my bedroom where I close the door behind me and collapse face down into my freshly made bed (thanks Lucy.)

It takes a few minutes for my heart to slow enough that I start to feel anything even remotely close to calm. Okay, let's process this. Ashton kissed me, and not like, an impulsive, heat of the moment kiss that he didn't intend to happen. This was thought out and planned. So... I can conclude that he likes me, right? That's a reasonable conclusion. That's... Great, kind of. I mean I obviously like him, but wouldn't a relationship with him be doomed from the start? I can't go to the fae realm, and as much as he says it isn't important for him to go home, I don't really believe that. Sure, it's nice having him here, but I can't see Ashton living here long term, even if his family and friends did approve. He wouldn't know what to do with himself. I mean, what are we going to do? Get married and live in separate realms? I'll sit around all day waiting for him to visit me? Yeah... no. I don't think I could bear that. It sounds lonely and miserable. If that's the future he has in mind for us I would rather he just breaks my heart now so that I can move on. Uhg, what am I even thinking? Marriage? It was ONE kiss. Ashton hasn't asked for anything more than that, he was probably just trying to confirm that he isn't imagining whatever this is between us. To be fair, I sort of ran away before he could say anything else, but he didn't seem like he had a lot more that he wanted to say anyway. He also didn't seem like he was in any kind of hurry to let me go. How am I feeling so conflicted? This is going to give me a headache. Actually... I think I just have a headache. I crawl forward to lie in my bed properly, being careful not to lie on my left arm which is still a bit sore, although the claw marks do seem to be healing fairly well. I shouldn't try to figure this out when I'm feeling so crappy. Maybe I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes and I can figure it all out when I wake up.

I wake up to the movement of Lucy sitting on the bed beside me.

"Wow, you are really out of it." She comments. I yawn and rub my eyes. My headache has faded mostly, now it's just a dull ache behind my eyes that is easily ignored. I probably just need to down a couple glasses of water, maybe a painkiller for good measure.

"Mmh... sorry. I had a headache." I answer. I COULD mention the kiss, but since I haven't quite worked out how I'm going to react to it yet, I don't want to mention it to Lucy. She has ZERO chill and would definitely act weird around Ashton. Lucy looks at me with an assessing gaze before nodding.

"You DO look a little pale, but it's been a stressful couple of days. Maybe you need a break from it all. I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind. I could drive them around if needed." She offers. My automatic reaction is to yell 'NO' and to glare at her for trying to steal my job, slash my excuse for spending time with Ashton. That backstabbing fake! I shake the insane thoughts from my mind. From the concern on her face it's clear that she's not intending it that way, I doubt she has thought the offer through that far at all. She was just worried about me, saw a problem and offered a solution.

"No thanks." I answer carefully, hiding my weird inner rage. I'm probably just jealous... and maybe a bit emotional after the last few days. It's not a problem as long as I can hold it together.

"I think I would be even more stressed sitting at home waiting for everyone." I give as way of explanation. Lucy nods agreeably and strokes a hand through my hair.

"You do look tired though. I'll grab you a painkiller." She suggests, jumping to her feet and running to the door before I can answer. Whatever. Hopefully it'll help. I hear her talking to someone in the hallway, one of the guys I guess, then heading to the kitchen. There's a knock on my door and Ashton calls out through it.

"Katerina, are you okay? Lucy says that you are unwell." He doesn't sound angry or annoyed at me running off. Just worried. I answer quietly, knowing that he will hear it.

"I'm fine. I just have a bit of a headache. Nothing some painkillers and water won't fix. Promise." I assure him. It takes a moment before Ashton's footsteps walk away. I can imagine him standing there, trying to decide if he should come in or not. How badly have I screwed things up between us now?

Lucy returns with a large glass of water and some painkillers which I take immediately. She is hovering over me like a mother hen, so I change the topic.

"Did you have a nice time out with Fin?" I ask.

"Yeah it was fun. It's just..." She trails off and stares at the door. She must have caught on to how good their hearing is. I hold up my phone and she nods and texts me instead.

Lucy- It was fun and all. He was a total gentleman. But I'm starting to wonder if he actually likes me or not after all.

Kat- Why? I thought you were getting along really well. Did something happen?

Lucy- No, not really. But that's the point. He's wonderful, friendly and polite. To literally everyone. I can't imagine him acting any other way. How am I meant to know if he actually likes ME?

Kat- I mean I'm pretty sure he does. He's polite to me, but I doubt he would accept a hug from me as a greeting. The fae have a lot of social rules that are different to ours. If you want to know, you probably need to just talk to him about it. Lucy- You're right. And I will. But... Maybe not yet? I'll wait until it's almost time for him to leave and discuss what he wants going forward. I just don't want to make things weird. Besides, there's no rush and I think I need the extra time to build up my confidence.

I sigh internally as I read back over our messages. It's so much easier to give good advice than it is to actually take it. I SHOULD talk to Ashton and figure things out. But quite frankly the idea is terrifying. I'm sure he LIKES me, but I doubt that's enough. Plus there's a difference between having a slight crush on the first human girl he's ever met and actually seeing me as someone he could be with long term. Still, I can't hide in my room forever. I've had painkillers, water and a nap. This is as good as it's going to get so I guess it's time to go and face the music.