Navigating the Messy Middle

She nudged Lyra’s foot.

“So I learned. Want the fairytale? You have to risk the messy middle.”

Lyra swallowed. “It’s scary.”

“Yeah.” Kira nodded. “Because it’s real.”

A comfortable silence settled between them, soft and full of unspoken things.

Kira nudged her playfully.

“Besides, have you seen Kaelen Draven? If you don’t go for him, I might. I mean—strictly for science, of course.”

Lyra groa