"You really hurt Mavis. She's pretty broken up about it," Calliope said, shooting Uriah a pointed look. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment. She understood Mavis's feelings; the situation between them needed to change. Mavis was her best friend, and Calliope couldn't stand by and watch her continue to suffer. Whatever was—or wasn't—happening between them had gone on long enough.
She liked Uriah. He was a great mentor, almost like a sensei, but less dramatic. However, he never seemed to reciprocate her feelings. Instead, he consistently let Mavis down. Or perhaps, Calliope sometimes wondered, he cared but was too rigid, constantly citing boundaries and the impropriety of a mentor pursuing a trainee—as if it were a grave sin. He wouldn't let himself take that step, and it was hurting everyone.
"I know," Uriah replied, frowning. "I'll talk to her. You don't need to worry. It's between us."
"Honestly, I don't care about your drama. I care about Mavis. She's my best friend, and she deserves to be happy." Calliope met his gaze, her expression cool and steady. "Uriah, I don't know what you feel for Mavis. But if you're not interested, or even if you are but aren't acting on it, you owe her honesty."
She held his gaze, almost expectantly. Uriah narrowed his eyes, suddenly uneasy. "What are you getting at, Calliope? What are you trying to say?" He had a bad feeling; Calliope never minced words, and he doubted he'd like what came next.
"If you don't see a future with her, she needs to stop hoping for one. You need to let her go," Calliope said, her tone level, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets. "She should move on. My brother, Norton, really likes her and wants to ask her out. If you don't mind, he's planning to step up."
"It's only fair I check with you first. First come, first served, and all that," she added.
Uriah froze, her words striking him hard. He stared, stunned, before attempting to maintain a calm façade.
"He can do what he wants. Mavis is my student, not my girlfriend. Why should he ask me?" Uriah said stiffly. "You should ask her." He turned away, affecting casualness.
Calliope observed him. "So, to be clear, you don't have feelings for Mavis, and you don't see a future with her?"
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
"Uriah, if Mavis and Norton end up together, don't take it personally." Calliope spun on her heel and walked away.
Uriah found himself glancing back, his brow furrowed, a tight, uncomfortable ache settling in his chest.
Back inside, Calliope went straight to Mavis. Mavis looked up as she approached, clearly anticipating their conversation. She didn't ask, just waited.
Calliope said, "I told him Norton wants to ask you out. I made it clear that if he didn't object, I'd let Norton pursue it. He didn't try to stop me."
This was their plan—to help Mavis and give Uriah a gentle nudge. If he had feelings for Mavis, this would be his moment to act or react. If not, it wouldn't matter who she ended up with. Either way, they would finally know.