The Summer of Broken Rules

by K.L. Walther

“You’re just jealous,” Luli said to her brother. “Since you’re following in Prince William’s footsteps.”

if you looked past the dark bruise, they were straight out of one of the fantasy novels that Claire and I loved so much. The eye color of an alluring stranger you weren’t sure you should trust but soon had to share a bed with for whatever reason on the quest you were on, then eventually fell so irrevocably in love with that you would die for each other. Basically, an eye color that wasn’t supposed to exist in real life: deep turquoise with gold rings around them.

*cough* kai azer Its basically wut happens in the powerless series (almost)

I smirked. “I know what it’s for, baby.” Wit blushed through his bruise. Good, I thought. Payback.

“Oranges,” I murmured. “My shampoo,” Wit murmured back. “I love oranges.” “So you love me.”

Uhm....yall jus freaking met a few hrs ago.

“You’re very affectionate,” he said, gaze catching mine. “You know that?”

and when Wit looked at me, I smiled. “Just an observation.”

My heart hammered. “Okay?” “Okay.” He nodded and held out his pinkie. “I swear.”

Wit smirked. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.” I blushed. His smirk spread into a crooked grin. I kissed it.

But now I made sure to speak loud and clear. “For the record, Shithead,” I said, “I wouldn’t have been on your arm.” I swallowed and gripped my phone as tightly as possible. “You would’ve been on mine.” Then I hung up and blocked his number. It felt like a chain had been unlocked from around my heart.

Wit grunted something. “What was that?” I asked. “I said, hard no on cutie,” he mumbled. “I’m not Ethan’s age.”

“Dammit, Wit!” Michael’s best man shouted. “It’s not even seven!” Pause. “But, like, good for you, man.”

“What?” I asked. He smiled. “Nothing.” I laughed. “I love climbing trees.” “Yes,” he said, the corners of his mouth curling. “Just like you love climbing me.”

Oh!! Lets not go there wit..

#HitchMeToWitry.

“I know,” Wit said. “But I’m a Witry, not a Dupré.” He nudged me. “And we’re partners in crime.”

“Sarah talked about her for months before her visit,” Wit said quietly. He chuckled. “It was like Taylor Swift was coming to town.” I half smiled. Sarah was the most devoted of Swifties.

“Our thing,” I said, gesturing between us. “What we’ve been doing for the past few days, acting like…” #HitchMeToWitry, I thought. Acting like #HitchMeToWitry.

Of course, Sarah’s was not complete without quoting Taylor Swift, a line from the classic “Lover.”

“Hurray,” I whispered, feeling Claire at my side. “She’s a Dupré.”

“Enough with this pretending nonsense. If you want him, go get him. Don’t miss your shot.”

“And I do know how much you adore me,” he whispered. “I just wish it was as much as I adore you.”

“Hey, Stephen!” I called, and two seconds later, I was right next to him. I grinned, took his hand, and said, “Tell me more about New Zealand.”