Long Island, NY

@[G] Krystal Jung [ AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA XD YES, EPIC FAILS like my reply XD i dont know what i wrote. wth XD bare with me, dear ; w ; ]

A short"I'll have rocky road." He announced, before standing up to tell the nice cashier lady their orders. "Uhm I'll have one chocolate and one rocky road, please." He muttered before looking back at Krystal to give her a reassuring smile. "That would be $4.50, sir." The cashier answered in a stern stoic tone. He fished out his wallet from his pocket and pulled out the fist thing his hand grabbed. Expecting it to be pennies and cents, Luhan placed the coins on the counter, only to find that it wasn't human money he gave but drachmas. He started mentally slapping himself and looked for some real money, only to find nothing in his wallet. The bubble teas they drank a while ago must have costed way too much. The cashier lady cleared and looked sternly at the boy. As a reply, Luhan gave a goofy smile and ran back to Krystal. "Hey, do you have some... $10 with you right now?" He asked, his voice shaking a bit.

Luhan was thinking only one thing: he doesn't want to get arrested just because he failed to pay two ice creams. How silly could that be? He would be the laughing stock of all demigods. And why is he even thinking about this? That bubble tea drank awhile ago made him - high or something.

@[G] Xi Luhan [ typos are epic sometimes tbh. XD ]

To casually move about the Long Island Sound like they weren’t in any grave danger with each move they make was like sending a flare to the monsters, clearly shouting, Hey! Lunch is here! Come and get us! But given that the older didn’t seem to care a little bit, Krystal chose to shake thought away. Surely, Luhan still knows what he’s doing, eh? Living in a world with such kind of insanity wherein they were a bunch of crazy adults (yes, actually, Krystal considers herself already and adult because she had finally reached the legal age of nineteen), such rebellion against their own safe haven shouldn’t be that bad. If they will be lucky enough, maybe they’d be able to celebrate their next birthday without being demigod meat for monsters.

As Krystal settles on a chair opposite the other, she spares a glance outside the ice cream parlor, just in case there’s anyone weird enough in her own perspective. But so far, no weird men in black. No weird old people with razor sharp teeth. No weird kids with talons. No weird girls with flaming hairs and disgusting legs.

Not bad, she thought, shrugging.

“I’ll have chocolate,” she nods. She would’ve gone for strawberry but—oh, well. It could’ve been cookies ‘n cream, too. But maybe now she should settle for chocolate.

@[G] Krystal Jung [ Graze AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA i didn''t see that XD AHAHAHAHAHHAHA typos e u e ]

Luhan was having fun that both of them are getting to know each other much better. He wanted her to ease up a bit with other people, not just him. He wanted to make other people see her beauty, too.

Trouble is just near. Luhan knew. Krystal knew. They knew. So practically they were just playing a little game of hide and seek or a friendly game of chess. We move, they move. We make a mistake, they attack. It was something like that. But it was exciting in a way. He needed some adventure, a thrill. He doesn't want the mundane and lackluster kind of life he has in the camp. It was just getting too boring. He needed the adventure.

The two entered the ice cream shop. Normal. They sat on a chair near the huge window. Still normal. So far so good, considering that the two of them are children of two great gods or something. "Hey what do you want to have?" Luhan asked the other with a small smile as he leaned back on his chair, his eyes stationary on Krystal.

@[G] Xi Luhan [ lol what even- hazel graZE? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WTF. Hazel Grace** damn this keyboard. XD ]

@[G] Xi Luhan [ huehuehue <3 OMFG YES. THAT QUOTE. AUGUSTUS. HAZEL GRAZE. DAMN IT. and nah its okay. XD ]

Indeed, had Krystal created a thick wall, masking her own emotions and keeping herself beyond the other’s reach, being the reason why she had always been distant. A severe flaw of hers that she had always kept hidden beneath her façade; for one thing, she had always feared attachment. If she had been a mere human being who is not a part of such mythological world, she would have been one of those depressed kids who keeps away from the company of other people, just because she fears the fact that she may be too attached to those she meets. Then again, as time passed, the wall she created eventually started thinning – like it had only been made out of solid that will eventually disintegrate in time.

To some, Krystal was a fearless daughter of Hades – someone who does not show anything through emotions. But to Krystal, she was just a pretentious half-blood who had always been good at deceiving people as though she had been trained all her life for it – because no one knew she had always kept a fragile Soojung inside her. It had always been better off if people sees her as someone who /should/ be feared: with that no one would know her vulnerability. Well, no one has to know. Early in life you’d realize that if people wants to know more of you, it’s either they want to destroy you or they want to build you. So far, that’s what she had known.

The smirk in Luhan’s chiseled features was not a new image – yet it never failed to surprise her. To see a different kind of mischief from the older felt so strange, it was like he had a whole new different side of him. Not the foolish, childish boy, but a mature yet mischievous man. Bad boys, as the other girls call them.

“Well, then, I’m looking forward to the adventure, cousin,” she raises a brow, walking alongside the boy. Just what kind of adventure would they find themselves into, really?

@[G] Krystal Jung [ SKJDHAKWWDHAWDUA <3 lustal fluff XD AHAHAHA. Okay finally I'm able to reply back XD <3
hehe. "Life isn't a wish-granting factory" that line OHOHO. okay my brain is messed up. ; w ; This is a crappy reply. really so OMG OMG OMG SORRY STELLA <///3 ]

All people have their own pain and struggles. Some people are just better in hiding it. And maybe Krystal was the best in hiding it. Whatever pain she has inside. When Luhan looks at her he sees someone who was breaking inside. Someone who was slowly crumbling inside. But no matter how fragile Luhan thought she was, she would just prove him wrong. Krystal would just act like nothing ever bothered her. Like nothing ever tried to scare her ever in her life. And maybe that's why most of the people veer away from her, because she doesn't show fear and weakness.

Maybe Krystal just built a huge wall between her and the others to hide herself from them.

But why do people build walls in the first place? Is it to shut themselves away from other people? To tell them to go away and leave them or to set some privacy in their lives or maybe to ward off people because they don't trust them? Whatever the reason was, people continue to build walls. And Luhan would somehow want to break Krystal's wall down. Not because he wanted to know her privacy, but because he wanted to know more of her. And finally, to show people that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, because real beauty lies within.

"Fair enough." Luhan replied still with his best smirk on. Take advantage to whatever you have, right? Spending a day in the human world is already an adventure in the raw. Especially for demigods. He started walking down the street, locating the nearest ice cream shop with Krystal on his side.

@[G] Xi Luhan [ DID YOU JUST SAY LUSTAL-- YES SURE. /shot. HAHAHA. XD Sorry for replying late tho. :c ]

There had always been a reason as to why Krystal would always be at ease whenever around the presence of her so-called family in camp, Luhan and Taeyeon—although this, she had not yet gained knowledge of. Anxiety is a factor that strengthens the curse coursing through her system and existence. It’s that one, big factor that makes it a whole lot stronger, and thus making her darker and darker as time passes. As much as she prefers not to show it to anyone, she had always been full of anxiety—a lot of fears in her mind that keeps her from being the opposite of what she currently is.

In the end, what she holds, is her own weakness.

But the fact that Luhan made her feel comfort had eased the anxiety in her, making her aura loosen up a bit. She breathes out a sigh. Sadness and anxiety. She wished she knew those were the reason why her damnation only worsens—but then again, as to quote a famous author of the modern times, life isn’t a wish-granting factory. She can never get what she always wants. Or maybe she can, given that they were living a different life than that of a mere mortal—that, she wouldn’t know. Not until she manages to find out, at least.

Smug, Krystal looked up at the male, the corner of her lips tugging up with the same sly smile he had, her eyes full of dancing mischief as she crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t mind the fun you’re thinking of as long as it keeps you responsible of the odds that may happen,” she smirks. Well at least the fact that she was just about to fall into the dark abyss of depression due to the fact that she couldn’t make things more at ease with Luhan in the human world was gone now. The son of Poseidon always had infinite ideas in his mind, may it be random or not.

@[G] Krystal Jung [ I just replied now ; w ; AHAHAHAHA IKR? <3 want to do LuStal shiz here? *drowned.killed*
UGH. writer's block = =" ]

The aura of death and fear lessened a bit making Luhan sigh with relief. He was somehow glad she was back to the old terrifying Krystal Jung. Sure he didn't like the terrifying Krystal but he hated the sad and terrifying Krystal much more. Everything that's going on his mind doesn't make any sense as of the moment but Luhan was just glad she loosened up a bit. Although he would like it better if she would show a big smile once in a while but that would be asking too much already. She knew Krystal has her reason why she isn't smiling that much. All he could do is be there for her as a friend and as her family.

That's his personal wish, though. He wanted Krystal to show her beautiful smile. He wanted to see her to be happy, even if he's not the reason why she would be happy in the first place. Luhan just wished Krystal would grin just like everybody else. He wished that she would know how to feel happy and to feel loved, just like everybody else. That's his small wish. 'Cause he really do care about Soojung. He really does.

Looking at the people that would pass by the two of them, Luhan wanted to be normal like everyone else, yet this is the path that was given to him. And that just proves that life for them isn't really easy.

"Okay this will be my treat again." He mumbled, stressing the word 'again' as he poked her forehead lightly a scowl on his face.

He smirked back and wrapped his arms around her shoulder, "Don't you want a little bit of fun?" he asked mischievously as he started to drag Krystal to the nearest shop. He was just hoping things would be better from this point on. Besides, ice cream could work magic to a sad soul sometimes and monsters was the least of his worry at the moment.

[ seriously... sorry for the late reply and for the ISHTUPIDCRAPPYREPLYWRAPEDWITHSHIZ <//3 ]

@[G] Xi Luhan [ so long, i cant keep up < 3 /slapped. XD ]

As much as Luhan didn’t like the idea of making Krystal feel bad about anything, the female feels likely. She doesn’t like it when things go downcast just because of her gloomy existence. She carries not something she simply inherited—she carries a curse, yes. A curse that was not supposed to exist in her, yet did, and is until now getting stronger and stronger as time pass. Until now she wonders why her life… wasn’t just ended by the gods, knowing how she could be much of a threat to anyone. She doesn’t get why they didn’t decide on taking her life and living a normal life with the other demigods—but maybe because they wanted her to meet people like Luhan. People like Taeyeon. People like them, whom she was meant to call her ‘new’ family.

However, when other kids who knew that demigods only exists in books, here comes the life of hers and Luhan’s, as well as the other campers of Camp Half-Blood. They didn’t just exist in books, because if they do—they wouldn’t be standing in front of a zoo, where kids started entering along with their parents, exited to see all the fun inside with all the other animals. It wasn’t as awesome as stated in books—at least, in Krystal’s perspective, that is. A demigod’s life was never easy. Especially when everywhere you go—even if it’s not the gods themselves—spawns of evil creatures are in constant hunt for delicious demigods. So as awesome as it seems—it’s not.

“Ice cream parlor it is, then,” she tried to sound at least a little bit enthusiastic—but then again, what more can you expect for someone who lived all her life not showing any other emotions than pure stoicism? Or perhaps, she did show other emotions as well, but it was purely once in a blue moon, seriously. “As long as it would be your expenses, then why not,” she even adds, acting as though nothing had disappointed her. She crossed her arms, amused at Luhan.

He would always be a pocketful of sunshine, seriously. No matter the circumstances would be.

“I wouldn’t shout that out loud if I were you. That’s more like an actual signal for monsters to go where we are. You actually had to shout out loud that two demigods are in front of the zoo.” She smirks.

[post deleted by owner]

@[G] Krystal Jung [ It's okay <3 I replied way later ; u ; <3 <3 and my reply is creppeh ; u ; ]

There's nothing more Luhan detested than making Krystal feel sad.

So when he felt her mood plummet down, worry instantly washed over him. It was not her fault that they couldn't go to the zoo. It's not her fault that the aura of death follows her all around. It's not her fault for having this curse. And it's never her fault in having this life. All of this wasn't her choice. It wasn't anybody's choice to be this way. At this point Luhan felt anger rush over him once again, he felt horrible that both of them couldn't be normal people just for once. Sure he would blame the gods for that again... But he was tired of blaming them too; it's just a waste of effort. And he knew all he could do now is accept this life he has.

"Don't worry." Luhan said, giving her head some short light pats. He knew Krystal was already feeling bad and he couldn't afford to make her feel worse than that. That's the only thing he could do for her at this moment.

And he failed even in that.

Luhan felt a pang of guilt hit him when he heard Krystal's reply. He just made her feel worse and for that he mentally slapped himself for offering such a stupid thing. He just did the opposite of what he wanted to do. He started to bite his tongue and clutch his hands uncomfortably, ‘How could you be so horrible Luhan’ he thought, scolding himself for his inappropriate behavior as he tried to think of something that could do to cheer Krystal up. Just then he blurted out the best thing that popped in his mind: “We could always go in the ice cream parlor.” He suggested, hoping that would somehow lift her spirits up.

"Boring?" Luhan echoed, grinning like an idiot. "Stal, being here with you is already exciting! I mean come on! Two demigods in the human world? This is more exciting than going to the zoo!" He exclaimed, a little bit too loud that other people heard him and give him shots of weird looks.

@[G] Xi Luhan [ sorry for the later reply ; ~ ; ]

All in honesty, Krystal felt bad. She would wholeheartedly accompany Luhan if only she had not possessed the unlikely presence that tends to make living animals restless, as though they were being threatened to be killed. Krystal radiates an aura which brings discomfort. It was as though she was fear in disguise of a young girl, shapeshifting into anything that appears to be someone's fear.

"Yeah, next time," she muttered under her breath. She knows that next time wouldn't be anytime soon, though. Not when he's with her. For some reasons, knowing how her presence only brings depression, she could not help but feel so insecure of the other demigods. Despite the fact that they were dyslexic and has ADHD, they can pretty much cope well with the human world environment knowing how they do not possess such terror.

Shaking her head, she scoffed slightly. "Cemetery... what's so good with that place." she sighed. Cemetery might seem as though it's her own domain, but no - for some weird reasons she detests going to such a place ever since she started wanting to know more about her obscure past.

"Sorry," she muttered. "It's all my fault today's so boring."

@[G] Krystal Jung [ omg. sorry for the late reply ; u ; ]

Luhan was about to take another step in the perimeter of the zoo when Krystal spoke behind him, her voice alarming him. He instantly stopped at his tracks and shrugged, he felt like he was /normal/ for once that he already forgot he was with the daughter of Hades, and he was the son of Poseidon, and both of them are demigods.

Geez. It really is a burden being a demigod. Sorry to say, but Luhan didn't chose this life. But if he could, he would chose not to be a demigod. Risking your life and the lives of the ones you love just because you have a a blood of a god. It's hectic, being chased around by monsters as if you're a huge chocolate bar walking around... At this thought Luhan furrowed his eyebrows together, trying to keep his cool.

Luhan then released Krystal's hands, noticing his grip was a little bit too hard that his fingers marked around her arm. "Sorry," he muttered looking guilty in an instant, "I think Mr. Panda could wait, maybe next time, we'll be able to go in the zoo." he continued, nudging Krystal on her shoulder.

"So do you want to go to the cemetery then?" He asked, smiling at her as he sipped his bubble tea. Hoping that nobody, or nothing, would follow them. Hoping that at least once... they could be normal, for a change.

@[G] Xi Luhan Krystal shrugged. At least she wouldn't feel bad going back at camp when Luhan wanted to take a stroll a little more. After all, she /did/ want to take this as a bonding with the son of Poseidon. They barely get to go out a lot these days anyway, considering how they always had notorious monsters in their tail. But today... seems unlikely to be an exception.

Like she cares.

She was just about to suggest a place to go to when Luhan already beat her up to it, suggesting how they should go to the zoo. Wait - what?! A zoo? Mouth agape and eyes wide, she stared at the older in disbelief. Of any other places... he chooses the zoo? Where there are animals who definitely does not fancy the presence of the dead emitting from Krystal's life force?

"Y-yah," she stammered. "You know I cant... as much as the animals like you, they don't really like me..." Honestly, Krystal didn't want to disappoint Luhan, but she wouldn't want to cause a ruckus in the zoo by making the animals panic either. Well, it's either they panic or they just simply shoot her those looks full of hatred and fear.

So much for being a daughter of Hades, she thought, sighing.

@[G] Krystal Jung Luhan craned his head over his cousin and lowered his cup up to his chest. Hearing the other's statement, he just gave a scoff and breathed in the New York air. "Fine then, we can stay here for a little while more." He said with his small grin.

Although he knew there would be trouble that will creep up on them in any second right now. And when that time comes, he'll make sure that he'll be there to protect Krystal. Well of course, she's his friend, his cousin, and most of all his family... He couldn't just let something bad happen to her. He couldn't risk that.

Luhan then took a sip from his bubble tea and kept his head straight. After a few moments of silence between the two of them, Luhan grabbed Krystal's hand and started to drag her across the street and buildings passing them with a zoom "Let's go to the zoo!!" He exclaimed excitedly.

"I want to see a panda!!!"

[ thank you for understanding XD ]

@[G] Xi Luhan Krystal sensed the guilt in Luhan's tone and looked at him, cocking an eyebrow. She took the drink from the older and started sipping on her own bubble tea. Not bad, really, she thought. "Already?" she asked, looking at the older. Going home already? Just when she thought of ignoring all the consequences? After all, Krystal had been used to breaking rules.

The children of Hades' existence were never to follow any rule. At least, that's what she thinks in her own point of view.

"We're already here," she snorted. "At least we should enjoy the freedom. I'm sure you wouldn't mind getting haunted by a few monsters once in a while..." she muttered, smirking.

[ it's okay ; u ; ]

@[G] Krystal Jung Trouble? Actually, that's what Luhan is. But truthfully, he doesn't care one bit about the BIG punishment he'll be receiving when they get back. He was just worried that he dragged Krystal along with him. He casted a look at Krystal and sighed. "You should've stayed back at the camp, Stal." Luhan muttered, feeling guilty for dragging his cousin with him.

After a few moments the vendor tapped Luhan's shoulder and handed the their orders. "Thank you for buying our bubble tea." He muttered, as Luhan took the bubble tea from his hands. And with a hint of hesitation, he said "Please come again." with an awkward smile.

Luhan nodded and handed Krystal her drink. "Let's go home, before anything goes wrong." He said, with a smile.

[ OMG SORRY FOR THIS. THIS. THIS..... THIS STUPID REPLY ; - ; ]

@[G] Xi Luhan Sneaking out together, Krystal was sure they were in deep trouble once they get back. Well, as for her, she could just simply shadow-travel her way back there, and pretend she didn’t leave at all. But what about Luhan? Ah, if he suffers, shouldn’t she do so as well? After all, they snuck out together. Better be punished together than abandon the other.

But right now, punishment from Dionysus didn’t sound like something she should be worried about.

Krystal watched Luhan. How can someone be so carefree? Somehow, she remembered a saying—“the sea doesn’t like to be restricted”. Maybe that’s how Luhan is. He resembles the sea so much, you can easily figure how he’s a son of Poseidon. She looked around, a little anxious. A child of Poseidon and Hades, the two gods of the big three, in the human world… how much of a trouble will they get themselves into? Ah, so many trouble. Demigods are troublemakers, yes.

@[G] Krystal Jung Luhan gave a chuckle and nudged the other's shoulder as he fished out his wallet from his pocket. Luhan then cringed his nose in thought as he viewed the different flavor, his head going from the left to the right. "Ahhhh... Taro. Well I'll have that too!" he exclaimed before putting a full bag of coins in front of the counter that clattered as he did so. "That will be two Taro please. One large, one small." He said, almost shouting as if the vendor was two blocks away from him.

Luhan then turned to Soojung and flashed a smile. "This is nice." He whispered, breathing the New York air through his nose, and expelling it from his mouth. And with that he ignored the vendor's weird look cast upon him.

@[G] Xi Luhan Hearing the other gasp, Krystal could only stick her tongue out at the other. Hah, so much for dragging her all the way to the human world. All in honesty, she could even care less. Besides, she’s constantly everywhere when she’s got nothing to do at camp, anyway. Constantly travelling all around the world… danger got pretty much a usual thing for Jung Soojung.

“As long as you treat me for dragging me here,” she smirked before peering over the flavors available. What should she pick? Hmm…

“Taro.” She then nodded. “I’d have that.”

[ omfdg idk what i'm writing o A o ]

@[G] Krystal Jung Still, the people come and go, not minding whoever or whatever they're doing. Some of them were bumping on Luhan and Krystal and they won't even stop to say 'sorry' or even bother to say 'excuse me'. But despite all these, Luhan kept grinning as if his smile was glued there and it would never come off. Ever.

"And since you're older, you should treat me."

By that statement Luhan gave a gasp as he narrowed his eyes at his cousin. He looked at her and shrugged. "Fine, but you only get the little little tiny one." He said, taking out his wallet. Besides, it was fair that he should at least do something for Krystal, it's the least he could do for accompanying him in the human world, where danger can pounce at you in any moment. "What flavor do you want, Stal?" He asked, his back still turned away from the other.

[ sorry for the late and the akjdhcrappy reply XD ]

@[G] Xi Luhan It was only Luhan who understands me best, after all, she thought, softening. How silly this older cousin of hers could be, to always be so cheerful, as it not a thing bothers him? She envied him in some ways, truth be told. She wished she could just be as carefree.

"Dont tell me, we came all the way here to the city just to buy bubble tea?" Removing her hand from her face, she scoffed, then crossing her arms. This guy, really, she thought in much amusement.

"But since we're here..." she smirked. "And since you're older, you should treat me."

@[G] Krystal Jung With Krystal's reaction, Luhan just smiled. It was nice knowing her more and more. And Luhan was thankful that he's with Krystal right now, away from the stress and everything.

Seeing her small smile, Luhan just shook his head. His wish was that Krystal will remain happy and have that smile of hers, even if he'll be no longer beside her.

At her statement Luhan's pout grew deeper. "Of course bubble tea!" He said, poking her forehead. "Now let's buy some~" He said cheerfully, facing the vendor.

@[G] Xi Luhan It wasnt as if Krystal dislike Luhan's company, either - as a matter of fact, it was only Luhan's company she enjoyed the most. Because with him, she actually forget she's someone who's always so scary at camp. And seriously, it's only Luhan that manages to enlighten her up because of her dorky and cheerful personality.

Krystal peeked at Luhan through her fingers, covering the smile of disbelief that crept into her lips.

"Seriously, Xiao Lu... bubble tea, really?" She says through muffled voice.

@[G] Krystal Jung Luhan wanted to relax, to unwind and to simply have fun. Back to the days where everything was just laughs. Finally, they were out of the camp and Luhan felt free as the waves of the sea.

But he can't stop the feeling that something might happen now that they're here in the human world. He just shrugged it off by his smiles and hysterical laughter, as he tugged Krystal along.

Upon seeing Krystal do a face palm, Luhan gave a pout. "Yah~ It's not everyday you see /this/." He said, pointing at the stand. The vendor just sat on his stool and didn't mind the noise in front of him, as he kept on flipping the pages of the daily newspaper.

@[G] Xi Luhan All in honesty, Krystal wasn't supposed to just agree on Luhan's offer of going out into the human world - but the idea of actually having to see something else than the camp itself lured her into the idea, and eventually she ended up tagging along.

After all, how long has it been since she had last hung out with her cousin, this one big dork, Xiao Lu? She could barely even remember. Their days at camp had grown rather hectic these days, having so many camp activities in order to keep the camp alive.

"Stal! Stal! LOOK AT THAT!"

Immediately, she snapped her head towards where Luhan was pointing at. Though at the realization dawning upon her that he was pointing to a bubble tea stand...

"Oh gods, Xiao Lu, you're so hopeless." She palmed her face.

@[G] Krystal Jung Luhan was glad that he was finally out of that prison. He wanted to breathe a different air, is that bad?

No it wasn't. Besides, nothing will go wrong, he has Krystal with him. Yes, Krystal. The evil munchkin, it was not really expected for her to agree on something, but who could resist Luhan's charm?

"Stal! Stal! LOOK AT THAT!" Luhan bellowed, dragging the other towards a stand full of bubble tea. "DCHAEGDAYDGAWDGADGADGADYGAW!" He started to say, pointing at the different arrays of flavors laid in front of them. He turned to look at his cousin and smiled. "Can we try some?" He asked, looking at her with those glistening sea-green eyes of his.

@[G] Xi Luhan Okay, so here was Krystal, outside of camp, and into the human world wherein it is /too/ dangerous for them demigods.

But even so, she chose to go out. Just why...? Ah, because of none other than her cousin, Xi Luhan, who kept bugging her to go out with him, even using the reason how it is too unhealthy for her to stay inside her cabin all day long.

She shook her head in disbelief as she walked alongside the other demigod, who seemed pretty much delighted at every single thing he sees; which, often makes her wonder if she really was the one younger - that he was just joking about his age being twenty-three.

"Goodness," she muttered under her breath.