Strings of Fate

56- Courage and courting

He heads into my room and I take a minute to think. I’m proud of myself, sure I wanted to avoid that conversation, but I survived it, I didn’t run away. I follow Bellamy into my room. where he is tucking his phone and his tie into his pocket.

“What time is it anyway?” I ask, I’m so out of it. I feel like I slept a long time, but there was daylight coming through the windows, which means either we slept for only a couple hours. OR we slept through the night and it’s daytime again.

“It’s about one, we slept almost 24 hours. I’m not surprised I slept that much, you’re like a knock out drug to me, but you must have been really tired to have slept so long.” He looks at me contemplating something. I just shrug.

“I did say I haven’t been sleeping well.” I sort through my drawers looking for something comfortable to wear. I haven’t really been doing much laundry lately either. I really need to catch up on my housework. Eventually I settle on a pair of leggings that I’m pretty sure are clean and a random light grey t–shirt with blue butterflies printed on it. I throw a bra and pair of underwear onto my pile of clothes and at the sight of Bellamy lounging on my bed, scamper into my bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me. I can hear him laughing softly through the door. I get dressed and pull a brush through my hair, then step out the bathroom to find socks and shoes. Pretty sure that this is as good as it’s going to get, I tell Bellamy I’m ready to go get food.

We head out together and take a short drive to a nearby bakery. Surprisingly I’ve never been here but Bellamy has and insists that the food is great. We take our place in the short line. I notice Bellamy is shuffling around awkwardly and shooting sideways glances at me. I make eye contact and tilt my head sideways in question. He gives a smile, looking a little embarrassed to be caught watching me. Then he asks;

“I… are you going to be mad at me if I try to pay for your food?” He speaks cautiously, like he’s worried I will react badly.

“You really want to, don’t you?” I confirm. We only just made up, I don’t want to fight him again, and not over something so small as paying for my lunch. Bellamy nods his head eagerly.

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56- Courage and courting

“Yes, I do,” he confirms.

“Then no, I won’t get mad at you.” Bellamy beams at me. I don’t really understand why he is

the one benefiting from it. We order some pastries and Bellamy pays for the food, glancing sideways at me as he does so and still smiling brightly. Then we find a place to sit in the back corner of the bakery at a little table with a vase of dusty, plastic flowers decorating

something I should probably admit.” he looks a little guilty, I am instantly on guard, but trying really hard not to panic. I don’t want to fight with him again. That might be my new mantra. Learning to slow down, listen and compromise is hard, but I’m determined to do it if that’s what it takes

how worried I am because he reaches across the

thing you probably don’t know about. The reason why it makes me happy to pay

but I’m almost positive Bellamy can

courting ritual for Shifters.” He pauses and waits for me to say something but I don’t really know what to

Shifters will use at the beginning of a relationship to show interest, it’s basically a bit like flirting. Other gifts of things like clothes are also considered a sign of interest. Really, any gift that shows that you can provide for your potential mate, ist considered to

the reason you insist on paying is that it’s your way of… flirting?” I ask

“Yep.” He answers shortly.

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56- Courage and courting

dress you

he nods and gives me an awkward grin. I’m baffled, does this mean he

the start? But he was so rude to

then?” I’m not even sure I

me anyway.

was done freaking out and being worried about my sister. Basically a little while after you kicked me out of your home and I had a minute to think about things and realise I was being ridiculous.” He looks a little ashamed of himself and I can’t help but crack a smile. Of all the things to happen, I never expected my

time we’ve known each other. I’ve probably been accidentally slash sort of intentionally rejecting him all this time. That can’t be good for his self–esteem. He should know better than to flirt in a way I don’t understand. Then again, I ran away when he flirted in a way I did understand. Oh for goodness

gone very quiet, it’s a little alarming.” Bellamy prompts me. I shake myself

Shifter… courting… flirting… stuff. How… I mean… what… what kind of response are you hoping for exactly?” I stumble through my question not exactly sure how

hoping that his potential mate will accept the food and in doing so accept that the male is courting her. Although it doesn’t count

you were hoping for.” I finish awkwardly. Bellamy gives a half