Strings of Fate

44- Understanding and unsure

“Great! Well in that case, want to come over for a bit? I thought we could look at some bridesmaid dresses and wedding dresses online and stuff. Search for inspiration.” Her sudden mood swings are giving me whiplash. I’m not awake enough to keep up with them.

“Uh, yeah sure. Okay. I’ll need a bit, I need to wash my hair and stuff before I can come.”

“You only just woke up didn’t you?” She accuses, her tone is amused though.

“I thought you sounded half asleep. It’s already almost midday, time to get up sleeping

beauty.”

“What? That can’t be right? I feel like I haven’t slept at all. Maybe I’m coming down with something.” I slept terribly and I feel super tired even though I slept in late. Maybe I caught at bug. Or all the stress in recent days is finally catching up with me.

“Maybe. If it makes you feel any better, you’re probably less of a mess than my brother is. I found him wandering the house at like five in the morning. I’m pretty sure he didn’t sleep again. He’s back in bed now but I’m not sure he’s actually sleeping, I swear I heard him answering phone calls in there. He seems pretty strung out. Maybe you’re both sick?” she

suggests.

“I hope not. If it’s something contagious I should probably stay away.”

“Nah, if I was going to catch something from you or Bellamy I would have by now, I’m sure it’s fine. Come on over when you’re ready, kay?”

see

I use the corner of my towel and a bit of water to wipe away as much as I can. I don’t have any makeup remover since I don’t tend to wear makeup often enough to need it. Whatever, Megan will have something I can use to get the rest later. Since I feel like crap I decide to stick to comfy track pants and a tank

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44- Understanding and unsure

worry about drying it. I’m just gonna chill with Megan, she won’t be bothered about my hair or clothes. I grab my phone

Aaron shakes his head. Darn it,

stop and get something to eat before heading to meet Megan? Or would you prefer to

you first.” His voice is low and soft. I know I set up the question

look that says ‘of

on his face. I take that to mean he isn’t offended or anything. I probably should have considered that before blurting out random thoughts. But oh well, what’s done is done. I quickly transfer my stuff from my clutch into my normal bag and grab my phone. We head out to Aaron’s car and he gets the door for me. With all these Shifter’s being so helpful all the time I’m going to forget how to operate a door. Or how to catch a bus. Since I figure Aaron is not going to be providing me with any kind of conversation, I pull my phone out to scroll through random internet stuff. Oops, I left it out. last night so it’s already only on twenty percent power. Well, whatever, who is going to call me anyway? Megan and Bellamy are the only ones who ever call, and I’ll be at their house……. oh no. I totally forgot that I might run into Bellamy. I mean it’s obvious, he and Megan live together, they’re siblings. I’m going to his house. But still, I don’t know that I’m ready to face him just yet. Maybe I should call Megan and cancel. I could ask Aaron to just take me back home. No, I’m

Yeah, everything will be totally fine. We pull into the compound and I attempt to calm myself. So I might be freaking out just a little. Okay, deep breaths. Inhale, exhale and repeat. I climb out the car and work to keep myself composed. Still, I’m dragging my feet a little as we head up to the door. I am

I doubt I’ll

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44- Understanding and unsure

make a quick lunch in the kitchen. Chicken sandwiches and apple juice, I didn’t realise I was so hungry but I’m suddenly

too but she pushes me back to my seat by the

Just wait here. I’ll be back in a couple minutes.” She dashes from the room. Just in time for Bellamy to arrive. Darn, she has apparently decided we need to talk things out. Not that she actually knows what’s wrong. It helps a little that Bellamy looks almost as uncomfortable as I do, and twice as tired. He also looks… incredibly depressed. At least he does for the few seconds it takes for him to compose himself. He steps into the kitchen and begins making himself a sandwich with the stuff Megan and I have yet to put away. His expression while he works is… pleasant, and so obviously fake. At least it’s obvious to me. I’ve seen his real smile, and this is not it. Guilt floods me, he isn’t upset because of last night is he? Maybe it’s

he

increases in brightness, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. What does he understand perfectly? I don’t even understand perfectly, so how

that… well it doesn’t matter. Everything will stay the way it was. Alright?” he looks to me for some kind of agreement. So he wants to pretend it didn’t happen? I guess I can work with that. For now at least, until the

should… go.” He turns and walks straight out the kitchen. It takes me moment to realise that he left the sandwich he made behind on the bench. He didn’t eat any of it at all.