Chapter 7: Promises, Goodbyes, and the Scent of Home

Sam coughed lightly, snapping me back. I said, "Big Brother Sterling, there’s no need for such formality."

I smiled. "I’ve learned something about local customs."

Big Brother Sterling was stern. "A small punishment as a warning. There’s unrest in the south. Dad plans to send my younger brother to gain experience."

Lucas looked at me pitifully. I smiled. "All right, Lucas, Sam and I will give you some advice today."

Big Brother Sterling left first. Lucas immediately dropped the thorny branches. "Ow—"

I signaled my aide to bring medicine and personally applied it for Lucas.

"For this assignment, I have another instruction for you."

My fingers brushed the skin of his back, and he arched like a startled fish.

"What’s wrong? Does it hurt?"

Lucas blushed and shook his head. I finished applying medicine and personally wrapped his chest in cloth.

"Be careful when you’re out," I reminded him.

We’re all good kids; we can’t make mistakes. How can we let others see our chests so easily?

We must bind tightly, lest we be accused of trying to seduce someone.

Luckily, only Sam and I saw it today.

Lucas looked at me, silent. I stooped to tie his belt for him.

He mumbled, "Jamie, I—I have a request."

"Shoot."

Lucas looked embarrassed, hesitating for a long time before saying, "Jamie, could you give me something personal to remember you by?"

Sam’s eyes widened, nearly blurting out ‘inappropriate!’

Lucas hurriedly added, "I—I’m used to seeing you every day. Now I’m heading south, and I don’t know when I’ll be back—"

I smiled, took a lucky charm from my belt, and tossed it to him.

He caught it clumsily and tucked it carefully into his shirt. "The scent in your house is different from anywhere else. It’s especially nice."

I thought his nose must be off; I never used air freshener in my room.

For this southern assignment, besides giving him authority to make decisions, I had another plan in mind.

I waited for him to do his job; now, if he said the moon was square, I’d let him.

Lucas left, looking back at every step. Sam still stood motionless.

"Jamie, that’s favoritism."

I was curious. "You see me every day at home. You know the scent here best. I’m just fooling that Sterling kid."

He lowered his head and smiled faintly. "So you like to tease people."

Sam had grown quickly—now a head taller than me.

His face already had a mature look, and when turned sideways, the sunlight outlined elegant lines.

I smiled. "Just teasing others, not you. Come look at this memo."

Sam pursed his lips and smiled, seeming in a much better mood.

I realized then, watching the dust dance in the late afternoon sun through my window, that these boys—my rivals, my friends—were slowly becoming my lifeline in this strange tightrope act.