In Saving the Imperfect

23. They lifted up our spirits

By the evening of the same day, the news of Coden Haslett himself joining the village spread. Layne heard people talking, he saw curious eyes of children and adults looking over the poor kid who clearly didn't enjoy the attention. Layne made sure to be there with him, even if he wouldn't say a single encouraging word nor do anything else to help. Coden had to learn how to deal with it by himself.

He didn't do anything when Rose ran at them and caught Coden in a tight hug, neither. Even when the guy looked at him asking for help, he returned a smug smile and turned his head away.

"Mary told me everything," Rose said. "Everyone's so thrilled. We never even imagined we'd get the chance to meet you."

"Ugh, okay, thanks?" Coden stammered, fidgeting his fingers.

"Adan says we're gonna have a small dinner tonight, to celebrate. Only him, you, your friend, Diana and myself."

"Oh, thanks," said Coden.

Your friend, Layne mocked in his head. That's what he became. No longer Layne Marks. Coden Haslett's friend, from then on. Humorous, almost. He used to be Levi's brother before. He did like the news, tho. Since last night, he didn't have a chance to talk to Adan and dinner was a great opportunity.

"We're preparing a campfire at the same place as yesterday. Be there when the sun fully sets."

She hurried along. Coden's breathing was irregular, his face was dabbed with tiny droplets of sweat.

Layne raised an eyebrow. "You're okay?"

"Who the hell is Diana?"

"You probably should have asked Rose, not me," he retorted. "You look like you're about to take a driving exam. Relax. There ain't no cars in the Land."

The comment made Coden laugh, although only for a little. They were standing in the middle of the street and could still feel people's eyes falling on them. Layne could only hope that'd stop once everyone got used to having them around.

"Anyway, do you need to get ready for dinner?" Layne asked.

"In what way?"

"Okay, you're right. Let's go help them."

* * *

Once again, they sat around a campfire in the middle of the street. Everywhere its light didn't meet drowned in complete darkness. Not even the moon nor a single star appeared in the black sky.

Diana, as it turned out, was the sixteen-year-old. If Layne wouldn't have known she was the only person ever to grow up in the Land, he wouldn't have thought she was any different from the teenagers back in Eumain. She kept playing with her long, brown braid of hair and chattering about the little things. In a way, she was refreshing – in another way, she reminded him too much of Malia and the fact that she was still in the village with Victor.

"I should have known." Adan shook his head. "Should have figured it out the moment you told me your name."

"There are plenty of Codens around," Coden disagreed. "It wouldn't have been smart to assume."

"No, not that many."

Layne listened to the conversation without saying a word. Just like everyone else, he roasted bits of meat on a long steel skewer. Adan said it was a boar, hunted down just for that occasion. Layne hasn't eaten a boar, ever – but the interest of tasting something new was overwhelmed by the excitement of eating something filling.

He was yet to ask Adan his question but the time didn't feel right. Everyone was in a good mood. Too good of a mood. The kind that would have made serious affairs sound ridiculous – or maybe even offensive.