I’d been back home six days, and I found myself missing Jastin’s company. I’d resumed my daily routine, but it didn’t make the feelings go away. The ache inside persisted, like a vine whose tendrils had ensnared my heart and wouldn’t stop squeezing.
I nibbled on a piece of jerky, and found myself wishing I was back at Jastin’s table, laughing with him over dried fish and stinky cheese. I pulled out the little misshapen bear he’d carved for me, and rubbed its head. I carried it with me in a pouch everywhere. Whenever I missed Jastin, I’d squeeze the bear, hoping one day my heart would return to normal.
I reminded myself it was better this way, because I couldn’t hurt him from here.
* * *
A week later, I took a walk with Nirrin. She wanted to talk about my adventure—again—but I didn’t mi
