The Pentrals by Crystal Mack Page B

each other already. We’re all friends here, right?”
    Are we? The only friend I can be sure of right now is the one hovering at my feet. Thomas has been nothing but helpful since I entered this body, but the lack of chemistry in that kiss has me confused. Not that I’ve spent much time watching other couples make out, but I always assumed that the combination of kissers didn’t matter; it was the actual act of kissing that created love. Yet I didn’t feel anything with Thomas. And Ben, I don’t know what to make of him. Still, because I care about Violet’s well-being, I have to do what I can to piece her life back together while I am here. I’m acting on her behalf. Reuniting this group of friends is her best shot against disappearing in a Lifts! -induced haze once things go back to normal. They will be there for her when I go back to being a quiet observer.
    “Right,” I answer. We turn to Ben, waiting for his consent. He sighs.
    “Fine. Just keep your hands off me, alright?” he says with a smirk.
    “I’ll try to restrain myself,” I say.
    “Good! That’s settled then,” Thomas says, relieved.
    Without warning, Ben shouts out in a ridiculous voice, “Alliance powers activate!” He shoots his arm out, hand clenched in a fist with his thumb sticking up. Thomas and I start laughing. When the original foursome came up with their group name as children, they wanted to have some sort of secret handshake. Mostly they would goof around and do silly superhero poses, trying to see who could get the biggest reaction, but eventually they settled on a fist bump with a thumb touch. It was their own little way of keeping things positive and fun.
    His outburst breaks the tension, and Thomas moves forward to complete the handshake with his friend. I hang back and watch until the three of us end up sitting on the shore. Sitting in a line, with Thomas in the middle, we kick off our shoes and let the tide chill our feet. At first I dig my toes into the sand, uncertain of the water, but with every incoming wave, I allow myself to relax and let it wash over me. It is so cold, not like what I imagined. Violet always enjoyed swimming, laughing when the water hit her face. I thought the lake would be warm, inviting, not so frigid. But I’m thankful for the experience regardless.
    If Ben is still feeling any of the frustration he did moments ago, he is certainly masking it well. The boys discuss soccer drills while I do my best to play the part of loving girlfriend. I snuggle into Thomas, resting my head on his strong shoulder. His arm around me, we must look like the picture of young love.
    Only my half of the portrait is all wrong. I want Thomas to be a part of Violet’s life; he is so good to her. But I am not sure if I can do this. It is one thing to go through the motions of love, but eventually he will certainly detect that I am not fanning the flames. I thought love was something that just happened, but it seems like there is a lot of work behind it. I am going to have to try harder.
    “Well, I should probably be walking Violet home,” Thomas eventually announces.
    “Yeah, what happened to your leg?” Ben says, nodding at my bandaged calf.
    “I’m a delicate flower,” I joke.
    “Doubtful,” Ben answers, raising an eyebrow. He places his hand over his heart where I pushed him. “I’ve got the singe marks to prove it.”
    Singe marks. He felt it too.
    “Not to worry, I took care of her,” Thomas says proudly. I smile up at him.
    “As you always do,” Ben retorts, not even trying to hide an eye roll.
    Thomas playfully shoves his friend, and the two wrestle for a short bit. We are all heading away from the shore when Ben invites us to hang at his house sometime later this week. Thomas agrees for us both, and we say goodnight to Ben. His eyes linger on me longer than I would expect before he turns to walk away.
    As Thomas walks me home, through the sparkling streets of Talline, I think about the fingertip