Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(48)

“Do you feel what is around you?” I nodded, “now, hold the yardstick in your mind focusing that expanse on only the yardstick. Once you’re essentially locked into your target, the command in your mind will have a place to go.” I opened my eyes, my mind still focused on the long piece of wood, fold. The yardstick began to bend in the middle, well not really bend, more like it bowed a bit and then straightened back out.

“I lost that connection,” I ground out, frustration creeping through my body as I glared at the inanimate object as if it was the cause of all my problems.

“I have an idea,” he walked out of the room. Returning a minute later with a baseball, he held it out for me to take. “I think having physical contact with an object will help. Once we master smaller objects, we’ll move to larger ones, and then continue on to non-contact.” I nodded my head as I held the baseball out in front of me. “What I want you to do with the baseball is to flatten it.” I closed my eyes, that mental connection to the ball was much stronger than it had been with the yardstick, the physical connection elevating my focus.

Opening my eyes, the ball flattened as soon as the command formed in my mind. My jaw dropped as I stared at it. Alex’s eyes lit up in approval as he grabbed the yardstick and swapped it out for now flat baseball.

“See if you can make this form a circle.” Closing my eyes once more, I felt for that connection. I struggled slightly trying to make it into a perfect circle, the end result looking more like an oval shape. However, after two more attempts, I was successful. The next couple of hours were spent working through different sized objects. By the time we were finished, I could feel a headache forming at the base of my skull.

“You did very well today, Lucie. Next week, we will be focusing more on mental defense, but I also want to attempt reality warping without the physical connection as well. Go get some rest, you are off from the library this week, correct?” I nodded, following him out of the practice room and down the hallway back into his office. With a wave, I grabbed my bag and tossed it over my shoulder. That headache was spreading, my only goal at that moment was to get back to my dorm to take a nap.

September 15th

Saturday Midday

Lucienne





Pushing open the front door to Coffeeology, the smell of coffee and baked goods warmed me from the inside out. I had planned on studying for the day but decided to grab some liquid motivation and read a bit before heading to the library. Smiling in anticipation, I dropped my bag at one of the small tables and got in line. Even though it was lunchtime, the shop was relatively empty. It had a vacant feel to it that I wasn’t very fond of this morning. Not wanting to be lonely, I shot a text to Sadie. She had been extremely busy preparing a set of oil paintings for a showcase her parents were setting up over Mabon weekend. We hadn’t gotten much time to hang out, and I was struck by how much I missed her.

Lucie: “hey! coffee and baked yummies for lunch at coffeeology?”

Sadie: “YES I AM IN NEED OF ALL THE PASTRIES!” Her text was followed up with a string of dessert emojis.

Lucie: “I’ll order for you just tell me what you want.”





Once Sadie sent her order, I tucked my phone back in my pocket. She said she’d be about 10 minutes to get here, so I laid out our orders on the table and pulled out my textbook. I barely had the book open before someone dropped into the chair to my left. Looking up, I saw Dante’s tanned face, his grassy green eyes shining brilliantly as he smiled at me.

“Hey, firecracker, how’s it going? Haven’t gotten to see you much lately with the extra Kohl practices this week,” his melodic voice mixed with his musky cologne resonated deep in my body, making me clench my thighs. No, he’s off limits! Closing my book, I pushed it to the side. Doubting I would get any studying in at this point.

“Hey, Dante, it’s been good, making lots of progress so far on my practicals. How’s Kohl been going?” I tried to keep my voice friendly. No flirting.

“It’s been pretty good, I definitely think we’re ready for the game this Friday. You’re still coming right?” I nodded my head and took a long drink out of my coffee, searching the shop for a familiar blue-haired pixie. “Good, because I wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else,” his tone was heated, startling me out of my perusal of the other patrons.

Looking over at him, I almost brushed his nose with my own. Somehow, one of his arms had made its way to the back of my chair, him leaning into me. The permanent wash of stubble on his strong jaw gave him a rugged look, and his eyes were hooded as he gazed down at me. Even sitting, I had to crane my neck to make eye contact. Crossing my legs, I clenched them tighter, hoping he didn't realize the effect he so clearly had on me.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” The husky quality of my voice frustrated me. It seems I was unable to keep from flirting when it comes to this deliciously handsome man with his broad shoulders and gorgeous smile. Back up, he has a girlfriend! My internal screaming did nothing, Dante demanded my attention with his arresting green eyes.

“I’ll play better knowing that beautiful face is watching me,” he had leaned in further, whispering into my left ear. With my hair up in a bun, it gave him access to the curve of my neck, his breath teasing me mercilessly. An involuntary shiver ran through me at the sound of his voice. Alright enough. This isn't a friend thing, and you are not that girl. Determination seared through me and I sat up, putting some distance between us just as Sadie’s voice rang out in the quiet of the shop, Thank fuck.