A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

It's a nice day so I sit outside to eat at one of the little tables. I figure I can people-watch while I eat. Besides, Mara has given me a lot to think about. She thinks Ashton loves me. She only saw us together for a few minutes, and only that one time. But she is completely convinced that he loves me. Up until I found out about the connection between us I was fairly confident that he loved me too. I mean, I didn't know for sure, but I knew he loved me enough to want to be with me. It's just... My confidence in that is completely ruined. For a few days, everything was perfect. I was alive, I was visiting the fae realm and I was with Ashton. Hell, I even got his parents to like me. I'm still wearing the bracelet that his mother gave me. I've worn it every day. For a few days, I really did believe that he loved me. He was acting differently than he did here, although maybe he was just acting more like himself. He was clearly more comfortable back at his home. So if he acted one way here and a different way there, wouldn't it stand to reason that the way he acted back home is the truth? I flinch as something brushes my leg under the table. I look down and see Bast rubbing up against my ankle. "Oh sweetheart. Did you follow me here?" I lean down and stroke his little head. Bast purrs and jumps up onto my lap. I expect people to notice him and stare, but oddly no one seems to. Fae cats are strange creatures, I don't think even the fae particularly understand what they're capable of. It is kind of funny how frightened the fae are of Bast, he's so friendly, to me at least. The only fae who seemed to understand that was Ambrose, Ashton's dad. Probably because he had been spying on me and saw that Bast wasn't dangerous to me. Hmm... That wasn't the only thing he told me though now was it? He also told me that Ashton would screw up, he asked me to try to forgive him when it happened. To stay by his side. Well... I don't really have a choice other than staying by his side at this point, and I've already forgiven him. But why was that what his dad asked? Unless... Well, he did admit to watching Ashton. So he probably knew what happened, probably saw when Ashton found out about it. He could have told me, but he didn't. I'm not surprised, of course he wouldn't want to betray his son's secrets. Particularly when his son didn't intentionally share them. Still, he told me that Ashton would upset me, and I said that it would take a lot for me to stop caring. I haven't stopped caring, I still love him. But I might have been a little unfair. Now that I think about it, Ashton just lost his dad too, and if he loved his dad anywhere near as much as I love mine he probably was making a few questionable and overly emotional decisions. Like trying to hunt down the assassins alone for starters. Or keeping secrets while trying to protect the girl he cares about maybe?

I've been worried that Ashton doesn't care about me as much as I care about him because he hasn't said it, but his actions tell me that he cares, or that he's a very good liar. I don't want to believe that he's a liar. So I'll ask him when I get home. If he loves me, it doesn't solve all our problems though. But maybe... Maybe I would be willing to give a little more, to go live with him even, it's just that my dad didn't approve of that. I know he wasn't even that happy with Ashton and I seeing each other. It feels like it would be almost a betrayal, like I'm disregarding what dad wanted and running off on my own. I need to talk to someone about it. Not Ashton obviously, I already know what he wants me to do. For the same reason I can't talk to Fin, it wouldn't be fair to him. I could talk to Lucy or Marcus, but they would just tell me not to feel bad and that my dad would never be disappointed with me. That's not true. Parents are perfectly capable of being disappointed with their children, but is this something that dad would really be upset about? Shouldn't it be my decision anyway? I need to talk to someone who knew my dad well enough to know what he might be thinking. Someone who can give me some insight into his thoughts. Hmm... And I know just the person.

Ten minutes later, I'm pulling up outside George's house. I don't even know if he's home. I've been here before, a few times. For dinners or to pick up papers and things for my dad as a favour. It's a familiar place and I walk straight up to the door with no hesitation. I'm about to knock when the doubt kicks in. Is he even home? I didn't tell him that I was coming. He told me to call him, not to turn up on his doorstep unannounced. I head back to my car and call him instead. He answers on the very first ring.

"Kat? Honey I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Do you need something? I can come meet up with you if you like?" He offers immediately and I relax. I should have known that George would drop everything to see me, especially today. My dad might not have been very social, but if he had a best friend then it was George. He's basically family. I feel bad, I shouldn't have avoided him, I should have checked on him earlier. He lost dad just like I did. "Actually... I'm parked outside of your house... Are you home?"

George doesn't bother answering me. He hangs up the call immediately and within a minute he's outside and opening my car door for me.

"What are you doing sitting around out here? Come inside!" He insists. I follow him inside and we sit on the couch in his little living room.

"How have you been?" I ask quietly. I need to talk to him, but I don't want to be selfish and just burden him with my problems, not until I know he's okay at the very least. George sighs.novelbin

"It's been hard, you know it's been hard. The station has been in chaos and of course I've been worried about you. How are you doing, really?" He asks, looking me in the eyes. I look away.

"Is everyone at the station okay?" I ask, mostly to procrastinate answering him. George gives me a look that tells me he knows what I'm doing, but he answers anyway.

"They're managing. I'm managing everything. I... I was asked to take over your dad's job." He admits, looking a little embarrassed. I give him a light pat on the arm.

"Of course they asked you, who else would they ask? You're perfect for the job. I'm sure dad would be glad to know you're taking care of things there." I assure him. He sighs, I think he was worried the news would bother me. It doesn't, it actually comforts me a little.

"Now Kat, are you going to tell me why you're here? You're always welcome, but I know you too well to not know that something is on your mind." George says sternly. His tone might be firm, but his expression is one of complete concern. I can't help myself. I burst into tears.