Call it quits… Sure.

Despite their lesson being over, Shilo was still thinking about the mishap. It wasn’t uncommon for their lessons to end in disaster, so she should be used to the failures by now. She wasn’t. Every time the day ended, she just walked defeated back to her house with Caleb by her side as he explained what she might have done wrong and what they could do to improve on their next lesson. And today was no different.

“Maybe we should consider tying the broom on a long rope or something.” Caleb opened the back door to Shilo’s house, letting her in first. She shrugged at the suggestion, obviously not thrilled with the idea.

“That’s gonna look dumb,” she said with a frown. “No rope.”

“Who cares what it looks like? It’s just to help you stay stable and, oh, I dunno, safe.”

“I don’t think any witch learned how to fly while tethered to a rope…”

The disappointment in her voice was hard to miss, making Caleb just drop the subject for now. Caleb kept quiet as they walked through the hall and into the kitchen. Shilo walked over to the island in the middle of the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools with a sigh.

“Uh oh. The famous Shi Sigh.” Her father was crouched down, searching in the cabinet for something when he spoke. “What happened?”

“What always happens,” Shilo said simply, her chin resting on her hand. Caleb leaned against the counter, watching her dad rummage through the cabinet.

“You’ll figure it out eventually. It’s not easy flying. At least y- Ah here it is!” He apparently found what he was looking for, standing up straight and placing a large round pot on the hook over the fire pit. It was old and dented, clearly worn from constant use. He turned and faced his daughter, a warm smile on his face.

“Anyway, at least you’re not hurt. Right?”

“I’m fine.” Shilo looked at her father, a tall, confident man. His long black hair was tied back with a deep blue ribbon, though not at all neat. He wasn’t exactly the most tidy of fathers, which was evident by the state of their kitchen most days. Even today it was packed with unfinished potions and herbs ready for drying. It was, in short, a mess.

“Good. So before your lesson, were you by chance in town today?” Shilo sat up slowly, realizing where this conversation was going.

“Uh… Why?”

“I was passing by the shop to pick up some supplies when I noticed a bit of commotion with the vendors.” He looked at her with an arched brow, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a small glass marble.

“I.. Was just… Well…”

“Busted.” Caleb whispered to her with a slight smirk. Her father sighed and placed the bead on the counter, prompting Shilo to pick it up and roll it around in the palm of her hand.

“Yeah,” she said lightly, looking down at the bead. “Busted.”