Chapter 45: Burrowed emotions

Arin continued to smile as I stared at her, stricken. She'd called me her friend. I was always open to the possibility of a new friend, but this one felt too sudden. We'd barely known each other for two days, and I wondered why she would call me as such.

She noticed me looking, along with the question in my eyes. She took in a breath. "Oh, I'm sorry. That one must have sounded too brash, didn't it?"

I shook my head once. "Not at all. It's just that… I didn't expect it." 

I saw hints of pink bloom in her cheeks, averting her gaze. It was the first that she seemed shy about something, nor did I expect that she could make that kind of reaction. "I don't know, I just blurted it out. Not that it's a lie. It's genuine, from the bottom of my heart. I already really do see you as a friend, I hope you don't mind."

I took her hand in mine. "Of course not, I would love to have a friend like you, Arin."