Like Trinity had predicted, Mama had declined her offer to go to Southern Bridge.

  Sighing, Trinity walked to the village square as the noon bell rang, a paper lunch bag in hand. She sat on a bench near the fountain and looked around to see if the strange dog boy was among the villagers. Instead, she saw the dark brown hand of her best friend, Philly Mitchells, waving at her. Trotting behind was the fashionable tailor’s daughter, Dior Jonerfume. The pair sat on both sides of Trinity and took out their lunches. “Hi, Trinity,” Philly said before frowning. “Rough day?”

  “I’m becoming an adventurer’s apprentice when I’m sixteen,” she muttered.

  “…You know you need your parents’ permission to do that, right?” Trinity crossed her arms and pouted. “And being part of the Adventurer’s Guild probably won’t be like the Protector legend.”

  “But it would be going on an adventure and saving people.” Trinity’s pout grew. “But my mother would never let me leave the village. She barely lets me leave the house unless she can watch me every minute.”

  “That shows how much she loves you.” In response, Trinity pointed towards her home, Mama clearly watching her through the bakery window. “Also, you would have to move to the capital to be part of the guild. We wouldn’t get to eat together anymore.” Philly had a point as always. Trinity couldn’t imagine not getting to eat or hang out with her friends every day.

  But at the same time, she would be an adventurer.

  “I suppose,” Trinity mumbled. She took out her pork sandwich and began to eat when she noticed Dior staring at her. “What do you think, Dior?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “I think we should go shopping,” Dior said, closing her eyes.

  When they opened, they were glowing pink.

  Trinity nearly dropped her sandwich, and Dior blinked, her eyes going back to normal green. “There’s a new clothing shop that sells cute hats,” she said with a smile. “Let’s go there later.”

  Trinity shook her head, blaming the strange eyes on her barely eating, before giving her a strained smile. “That sounds…fun, but—”

  “Philly is coming.”

  “I am?” Philly said with a frown.

  “Right?” Dior’s smile twitched. “You’re. Coming.”

  Shuddering, Philly’s shoulders drooped. “I’m coming.”

  “Great! That means you have to come, too, Trinity.”

  Said girl shivered. The last time the friends had gone clothes shopping, Dior had kept them out past moonrise before only buying a ribbon. Mama scolded Trinity till dawn and would have banned her from visiting the tailor shop had Papa not intervened.

  Nervously chuckling, Trinity took another bite of her lunch. “Well—”

  “Trinity,” Philly whispered, leaning towards her, “do not leave me alone here.”

  “But—”

  “It’s near the bakery, so your mother should be fine with it.”

  “But—!”

  “We can go to Pens and Nobility first. I’ll buy you any book you want.”

  “Really?”

  “I’ll even pay for food at Chuckie’s.”

  “Sold!” Trinity said, throwing her hands up with glee. “You’re the best friend ever…my lunch!” Spinning around, Trinity reached out her arm and froze. What was left of her pork sandwich had landed on the head of The Council of Leaders’ bookkeeper’s nephew. The one person Trinity knew all too well and yet didn’t know at all.

  Phoenix Bryre.

  He spun around, his warm amber-brown eyes glaring at the girls as he said, “Who just—?”

  “It’s mine!” Trinity said, standing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to toss it.”

  Phoenix’s glare softened. In Trinity’s eyes, it was like he was looking through her. “Phoenix?” the bookkeeper said while walking over. “We need to get back.”

  Taking a deep breath, Phoenix picked the sandwich out of his dark blond hair. He handed it to Philly before walking back to The Council building with his uncle. “Um, thank you?” Philly said, looking at Trinity nervously. “That went well.” Sitting down, Trinity took a sip of her water with a frown.

  She had been ignored again.