How to Pronounce Irish Character Names:

Fionn sounds like "Fin".

Siofra sounds like "She-frah".

Ruari sounds like "Roar-ree".

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...SOME YEARS LATER IN HIGH SCHOOL

Caoilainn

I finger the homemade paper in my hand, anxiously waiting by the side of the fire for my turn. It's Friday night and the sun set two hours ago. I can see Tadhg off to the left, laughing with Walker, Cian and Fionn. I think they're talking about one of last year's rugby games. Brody caused a lot of excitement on the field. He was doing really well and I know Tadhg is excited for this year's coming season in a few weeks. Fionn and him laugh about something Cian says and I smile.

I look down at the note I have folded in my hand and thank goodness no one can see what it says.

Since starting high school we've gathered around the Yule log to burn our intentions for the coming year. Some people wish for good health, others money, and I bet, lots for love. I'm no different; I'm wishing for that, too. Not that it's anything new; I wish for the same thing every year; for Tadhg to notice me.

Don't get me wrong, Tadhg's always there for me. He's my best friend in the whole world, but I'm eager for the day when he wipes the dust from his eyes and sees that I want to be more. That I've been waiting for him to be ready.

I've been putting out hints more and more this past year. We're still pretty young, but now that I'm approaching seventeen, I think it's time for me to push the envelope a little bit.

I'm scared, though, what if he doesn't like me the way I like him?

Or what if he does?

What if he does?

Am I ready for that?

I shuffle my feet and look down at my folded note again.

Crap!

What if I make this wish and he-"

"Caoilainn?" he says to me, startling me out of my thoughts. "You okay over here?"

Tadhg looks at me with concern and turns his head to get a better read on me. I quickly duck my chin so he can't see me blushing.

What if he can tell what I was thinking?

I glance up at Tadhg quickly. Then I rush to put my chin back down again before he realizes that I'm staring.

"Caoilainn, what's wrong?" he asks, his concern growing.

"Nothing," I say a little too cheerfully. My teeth are probably glistening from the light of the bonfire as I smile manically. "I'm good. I'm just-"

I cut myself off when I realize Tadhg can see my folded intention bouncing in my hand like a beacon. I quickly tuck the note behind my back and try to hide it before he notices. I roll on the soles of my feet with nervous energy. "I was just thinking, that's all. No big deal."

"You're sure?" Tadhg asks me skeptically. "For a minute, you looked like something was bothering you," he continues.

"Hey, what are you hiding behind your back?" He asks teasingly. When he leans forward to reach for my hand, I yelp.

"No!" I shout. "I mean," I say quieter this time, a quiver of fear threading through my voice. "it's nothing. Just...it's just an intention for the Yule log. No big deal."

"Oh yeah," he says, right before he jumps around me, knocking into me to try to grab for it. "Let me see. What's it say?"

In short time, we're both laughing and giggling around the little green paper, it's pulpy texture sliding back and forth easily between my fingers and his. Before he can yank it out of my hands, though, I stuff it into my mouth without thinking.

Tadhg moves back and looks at me like I've lost my mind. I shake my head and mumble, "Uh-uh. Ew ca't haw it."

"Did you just eat your intention, Caoilainn?" Tadhg laughs at me. "That must be a very secret intention."

I turn my head and put my nose up. No way I'm telling him what this intention says. I'll sit here and chew on my recycled artwork and hand-written letters all night if I have to.

I can be very stubborn when I wanna be.

Problem is, Tadhg can be stubborn, too. Which is why, when he says, "Okay," and starts to walk away towards the guy, I should've known better.

I let my guard down, however, and that's when he pounces, tickling me in a fit of mischievous laughter. "Let me see it, Caoilainn," he demands playfully. And before I know it, and because I can't help myself, I open my mouth in a fit of giggles, almost choking on the folded paper, and spit it out. Tadhg pounces and grabs the note right out of my mouth before I can stop him.

"Ew, Tadhg!" I groan. But now I'm in panic mode, because he's unfolding the note.

I quickly jump at him, trying my best to reach him in time.

I have to stop him!

Tadhg's fast, though. He sees me coming and lifts the note above both of our heads. I'm jumping around him in circles trying to get it back before he can see what's on it.

To my horror, Tadhg gets the note unfolded and begins reading it out loud. Since we're making such a spectacle of ourselves, a small crowd of our friends have migrated towards us. The girls are whispering among themselves and the guys are making immature hooting noises.

My heart trips over itself as I realize that my deepest secret is about to be revealed. Right before he gets to the juicy part, however, Tadhg gets quiet and turns to look at me. There's a look of shock on his face and it makes my insides flutter.

Oh, crap!

Without a word, Tadhg folds the note back up and stands still. He turns to look at me and there's an expression on his face I don't recognize. "Here, Caoilainn," he says, quietly handing back my intention. Then he gives me a brief hug. Before turning to go back with the guys, he leans in and kisses me on the forehead. It's the kiss of a friend, one you have no romantic interest in. In fact, there's absolutely nothing swoon-worthy in the way he's acting.

I'm confused and scared at the same time.

Did I blow it?

Does he hate me now?

Did I ruin our friendship?

Oh, damn! He doesn't like me like that, and I've gone and messed things up. We're gonna be all weird, now.

I try not to let my emotions take over but I feel a lump in my throat all the same. "Um, I have to go to the bathroom," I stutter to no one in particular. I have the letter folded back up now and it's safe, hidden in the depths of my jean jacket pocket. "I'll be right back."

Before I can lose face anymore tonight, I make a bold dash for our school bathroom and run into the nearest stall I can find.

Once there, I sit down on the toilet seat, perching precariously on the edge while fully dressed. I take out the note and carefully unfold it.

Aw, man, it's still wet from my mouth. Uck.

Opening it, I notice that some of the intention's words have been smeared. When I realize what's happened, I let out a sigh of relief. You can't see Tadhg's name at all. It looks like a jumbled mess. There's no way Tadhg will have realized the intention is about him.

I frown, though, because a lot of the rest of it's still discernible. I drop the note in my lap and look up at the ceiling in contemplation. Then I turn my head towards the direction of the bathroom entrance.

Tadhg doesn't know the intention is about him.

Did he guess? Is that why he looked so unhappy?

Or, does he think I'm in love with someone else?

Which one?

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Thank you to @BrittaSwann and @WriterontheIsland for their editing advice on this chapter!

Thank you to majesticawards and hottiesoftie for reviewing the prologues and this chapter!

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