Bytown e3c1: Don’t Leave Me

Semi-automated announcement: Bytown episode 3 chapter 1 is live! Here's a preview...

Colleen, carrying Maggie’s suitcase like it weighed nothing at all, didn’t break her stride, didn’t even seem to care. She’d known Maggie less than an hour, but already had the air about her of a life-long friend--and a stubborn one. “If it’s the smell you’re worried about, I promise it gets--”

“No, it’s just that I need to--”

“Oh!” said Colleen, and let go of the suitcase so she could wave with both arms, and flag down the young man heading their way down the path. He was drenched in sweat from working hard in the heat, his hair a mess, and Colleen clearly had a hard time not staring at him.

He saw her waving and moved to intercept, stopping just shy of them with a curious smile on his face. “Colleen?” he asked. “Everything alright?”

“Aye, just fine,” smiled Colleen. “I’d like to introduce you to my new best friend--who is definitely not leaving anytime soon--Maggie. Maggie, this is Liam Kelly.”

Liam turned his attention to Maggie, and his expression changed like he’d had the wind knocked out of him. He blinked as if stuck in a trance, smiling curiously at the sight of Maggie. She felt suddenly seen, and turned her head away, smiling bashfully.

Colleen saw it happen, and her grin got even sharper. “Liam here is the best reason to stay in Bytown forever. Next to the timber slide, of course.”