Page 15 of Prickly as a Porcupine

“And if you didn’t laugh about it, you’d cry?”

Ariel nodded solemnly.“Yeah.Or punch someone in the face.”

Now it was Joline’s turn to fall into fits of giggles.“Oh my gosh.I think I’m laughing so hard because I know you’re serious.”

Ariel joined in with the laughter, wiping tears from her eyes.“Good thing I’m in therapy.”She laughed even harder at that.Damn, did it feel good to laugh again.It seemed like she lived a lifetime without it.

Joline leaned her head against Ariel’s shoulder as Ariel put her arm back around her.“While you missed most of the sunset, we can stargaze instead.It’s a clear night.”

“Don’t you have homework or reading?I don’t want you getting behind because of me.”

“Not tonight.I read earlier today and plan on reading a little longer tomorrow night.”Ariel remained unconvinced.She worried that Joline would still get behind.Sometimes things don’t go as planned.Ariel didn’t want Joline’s grades to suffer.As if sensing Ariel’s doubt, Joline added, “Don’t worry.I’m not going to tank my career over a beautiful woman.”

“As long as we’re clear on that,” Ariel said with a smile.She’d never been called beautiful before.“Your career comes first.”A warm feeling spread across Ariel’s chest.It was one she had almost forgotten existed.She had trouble putting a word to it at first.The light feeling had to have been happiness.

8

The next night, Friday, they went into town together, or, to be precise, the next town over, as the “town” right on the outskirts of FUCN’A barely counted as one with its single boutique, a pub, a diner, and a cafe.Joline had worried that Ariel wouldn’t be able to obtain permission to go so far away from WANC, but, to her surprise, both Ariel’s counsellor and her assigned agents gave her permission for the outing—provided her ankle monitor was kept charged, of course.

Joline’s heart fluttered in her chest as she reached for Ariel’s hand.The day had seemed achingly long after stargazing well past midnight together.Joline’s heart went from fluttering to hammering as Ariel accepted her hand and they strolled down the bustling street—as much as a small mountain town could be bustling.Other couples window-shopped and groups of friends meandered about, listening to some of the live musicians who’d set up outside bars.Joline found she recognized most of the people around her.Some she knew stayed at WANC, and others were townies she’d gotten to know from being on campus for almost two years.

The hot evening sun warmed her skin.She’d been spending so much time inside working on her classwork that she’d nearly forgotten how hot the summer was.Ariel’s cheeks were flushed with the heat.Joline wished she would’ve tied her wavy hair back.With the humidity, it was turning into a frizzy mess.Instead, she found herself raking her fingers through it as if that could somehow tame it.

“Ooh,” Ariel cooed as she brushed a bead of sweat from her forehead.“That store looks cute.Do you want to go in there?”

Joline nodded, glad to see Ariel was excited to look through the local stores and boutiques.She’d seen that her fears of this being the most boring idea for an outing were unfounded.Ariel seemed over the moon with every normal thing they did.Knowing what Ariel had been through, Joline was glad that walking down a street holding hands could please Ariel with its simplicity.Or maybe Ariel always enjoyed doing small things.Either way, Joline was delighted.Some of her past romantic partners didn’t enjoy her idea of a fun date, plain activities like antiquing, or just lying outside to watch the clouds.Joline had found herself internalizing that, thinking she was somehow boring and unlovable.Maybe Ariel was right; Jolie wasn’t spending time with the right people.Ariel seemed to enjoy her for just being her.And she didn’t ask for anything different.

Joline watched Ariel’s face light up as they walked into the small shop.Outfits filled racks and shiny jewelry hung from small stands on the tables that filled the cramped space.You’d think it was Christmas morning the way Ariel glanced around.She rubbed her fingers on soft fabrics, smiling at the way it felt under her fingers.“You have to touch this,” she’d say, beaming at Joline.

When the jewelry caught her eye, Ariel seemed fascinated by the shiniest stones.“I forgot how much beauty is in the world,” she mumbled, spinning a small crystal pendant with her hands.She seemed mesmerized, watching the light bounce off the stone

“I can buy it for you, if you’d like,” Joline offered.

Ariel shook her head.“I’m not good with jewelry.I’d either lose it or break it.”She gave a weak grin.“I’d hate to do that to something you’d spent money on.”She set the necklace back on its rack.“I’m just happy to look.”

The next shop they explored was filled with candles.Ariel and Joline took turns sharing scents they enjoyed or hated with each other.They would erupt in a chorus of “mms” if it was an enjoyable smell or a fit of giggles over the faces they made if it was one they didn’t like.They even debated a few they didn’t agree on.Joline would have never thought you could have this much fun while shopping, especially considering they didn’t buy anything.

When they ran out of stores to wander through, they looped back to a diner.Ariel suddenly became quieter.She seemed preoccupied.Her smiles started seeming forced.Joline’s stomach was rumbling by the time they made it to the diner, so she assumed Ariel was just hungry.

They grabbed a booth by the windows to watch the light fade into night.The days were still long but growing shorter as July marched on.It reminded her that summer would soon be over.It left her wondering how long Ariel would be staying at WANC.Would things change between them if Ariel were cleared to leave for good?Would she stay in the area or move on?Joline decided not to let her anxiety ruin the night.

After the waitress handed them their menus, Joline looked up to find Ariel lost in thought, staring out the window.“Are you okay?”she asked, wondering what could have changed the mood.Did she do something wrong?Joline didn’t think so.

“I think we’re being followed, but I’m not sure.Just act normal,” Ariel said as she picked up her menu.

Joline’s stomach buzzed as fear replaced her earlier hunger.A man passed their booth before taking a table in the far corner.She watched him over the top of her menu.“Is it the man in the jeans and black T-shirt?”she asked softly, not wanting to be overheard.

Ariel nodded.“I noticed him a few shops back.Either he also enjoys window shopping everywhere we went, or he’s intentionally following us.”

The sinking feeling in Joline’s stomach got worse.While she had noticed the man, she assumed by chance they were visiting the same places.And a few times, he didn’t follow them into a certain shop, but Joline had found the man looking at his phone while he sat on a nearby bench.It seemed nothing concerning to Joline at the time, but now that Ariel brought it up, perhaps there was more than met the eye.Plus, what were the odds the man would have been following them all day?While it was a small town, it wasn’t that small.Joline kicked herself for not making the connection to the potential danger earlier.Normally she was more perceptive than this.

She thought back to any part of her training as a cadet that could be helpful.“Well, he’d be stupid to try anything while we’re in the diner.I say we eat as normal and work out a plan.I can’t think straight when I’m hungry.”

Ariel nodded.“I get that.”

Joline had a thought but wasn’t sure if she should ask, lest she offend Ariel.She decided, in their current situation, considering the mystery man, it was best addressed: “What if the agents you’re working with put a tail on you?Isn’t this your first time leaving WANC?”

She was pleased to see Ariel wasn’t offended.Ariel seemed to genuinely consider the idea before shaking her head.“I don’t think so.I still have my ankle monitor.Why would they need to tail me?And if they did, I think Agent Stone and Agent Sparks would be the ones watching.And I don’t think they’d hide it, at this point, if they were tailing me.”