Aria arrived at the creek an hour later than usual, her steps hesitant as she approached. She could see Kaelan and Liora sitting on the turtle rock, talking quietly to each other. When they noticed her, they both straightened up, and something in their expressions made her stomach clench.
She waded into the water slowly, the familiar coolness doing nothing to calm her nerves. When she reached the rock, neither of them said anything right away. They just made room for her between them, and she climbed up carefully, settling into her usual spot.
The silence stretched out, heavy with unspoken words. Aria picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, not sure how to start. Not sure if she even wanted to.
Finally, Liora broke the quiet. "Elara was here earlier."
Aria's head snapped up. "She was?"
Kaelan nodded. "We talked to her. About yesterday."
Aria's heart was beating faster now. "What did she say?"
