How Green Becomes Wood

She shrugged, "Everyone has their struggles," and then looked up at him, "I'm still planning on quitting gymnastics once Sloan graduates. It's weird enough not being on the same team as her anymore, but once she's not even at the gym it doesn't mean what it used to. All the girls I've been this far with are all moving on. And I like getting to have more time for pottery."
 
"I love the mug you made me. I've been meaning to stop by and try out more pottery," he admitted. "But I am sorry that everyone's been moving on. Are you going to find something different for the active bit? Xander's been talking about leaving Judo for a while now, but he wants to do something active still." He paused. "Not that those two things are exactly related."
 
"Pottery is the best," Claire said, "I think it's so cool how you basically turn mud into stone. And I don't know. I don't know if I really want to try a new sport, I may just sometimes pay the little bit to use the gymnastics gym for an hour or so. Or maybe I'll just take up running, I'm used to running laps anyway." She glanced up at him for a second and, after a bit of visible hesitation, said, "You don't have to keep apologizing. I know you're not saying sorry, or whatever, but... It's okay. You can just say things to me, I don't mind."
 
Alec ducked his head bashfully. "Sorry I say sorry a lot. I guess it would get a little annoying. I just really don't want to say the wrong thing and upset you. Not that I think you're easy to upset, but I am known to have a terrible way with words at times."
 
"I don't think you're annoying!" Claire replied, and then feeling as though she had responded much too quickly, she looked away and twirled her hair around her finger, trying to think of a better, more chill thing to say. Eventually she shrugged her shoulders and said, "I mean, Sloan likes you, and she's normally a pretty good judge of character, so..."
 
"True. Sloan does have great character judgment. I mean, she chose you as one of her best friends," Alec said with a quick smile at her. Then he hefted his book and said, "I should probably get going. Xander is going to be wondering if I've gotten lost again."
 
"You're welcome. I'm happy to, any time!" Alec assured her with a smile. He turned and headed out, but he glanced back once, quickly, just to catch a last glimpse of Claire.

~~~

Sally arrived at the Wahid-Dark household at exactly the time she was supposed to and tapped brightly on the door. She'd brought a large package of macarons to share with the family, as well as a small, baby-appropriate treat for Ivy.
 
When Alec glanced back at her, Claire was still watching him. The second she was caught her eyes widened and she scurried away to check out her book.

~~

Daizi opened the door for her, "Is that you Sally? Please, come in!"
 
Alec flushed bright red at having gotten caught looking and hurried away to rejoin his puzzled brother.

~~

"Hello, Daizi Darling!" Sally greeted her cheerfully. She stepped inside and removed her shoes before touching the salt. Only then did she give Daizi a brief hug. "Thank you so much for inviting me. I needed an excuse to break out of a workaholic spiral."
 
"This is a logical fact I know quite well. I am also a slave to the, 'five more minutes' at work will get me some giant breakthrough," Sally said, rolling her eyes at herself. "Thank you for always welcoming me. Oh! I brought macrons and a treat for Ivy. I remembered you saying she could have these occasionally, so I brought them along as a treat for her. I am sorry, Enkidu, but I did not bring anything for you."
 
"You've broken his heart," Daizi said, "Do you need to set them down so you can take off your shoes? We can just go to the living room, my husband decided to be very, very sweet and put together the tea tray for us."
 
"My shoes are off," Sally assured her. "I wore easy slip-ons for once. I really should do that more often. They are so comfortable! And he put together a tea tray? How lovely!" She padded into the living room, following Daizi's direction.
 
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