One More Time

"Is your voice breaking?"

In the mirror, Cordelia stared at Gavin, her lips pressed together as though she was trying hard not to laugh.

Gavin cleared his throat awkwardly.

He had only said, "The potatoes are planted," but his voice had suddenly cracked on the last word, turning into a full-blown rasp.

The seaside cave added a natural echo, making it even more pronounced than it had been in front of Rookwood.

"Probably." Gavin paused. "I'm not used to it yet."

"It's kind of cute."

Gavin was surprised. "What's cute about it?"

Cordelia finally lost the battle, and the corners of her mouth lifted.

"You sound even more like a seagull."

"..."

Outside the cave, waves crashed against the rocks.

Gavin held the mirror without speaking for a full five seconds.

This was quite possibly the first time Cordelia had insulted him since becoming his girlfriend.

Then something struck Gavin as odd. "How do you know it's my voice breaking?"

"I've heard it before."

Cordelia answered quickly.

Gavin narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so familiar with boys' puberty? Have you seen it happen to another boy?"

"..."

Cordelia's face flushed at once, whether from anger or from his choice of words, he couldn't tell.

"He was my cousin!" Cordelia sat bolt upright. "He went through the same thing when he was thirteen! And why shouldn't I know about it? You're actually suspicious of your own girlfriend?"

Gavin turned his head awkwardly. "I was just checking where the sample came from."

"Then go date your sample!"

The mirror flipped over, and its silver light went out.

On the other end, Cordelia set the Two-Way Mirror facedown on the table, and her vision suddenly darkened.

The flush drained from her face. She braced herself against the edge of the table and