Strings of Fate

3/3

Strings of Fate

Cam 34- Faking and fretting

Cora and I are just cleaning up for the evening while Harry hovers around to walk me home. He excuses himself to the bathroom and Cora immediately grabs my arm and pulls me aside.

“Did I hear right earlier? Did you finally agree to go out with the Incubus?” She whispers excitedly. I should have known she would ask. She’s probably been waiting all evening to get

me alone.

“I honestly can’t believe it. I thought you would keep him waiting way longer. Like at least another three months. You seemed so determined to reject him. I can’t quite work out when things changed, but you have definitely softened towards him.” She smiles at me conspiratorially.

“I have not!” I automatically argue. Cora raises an eyebrow.

“You used to barely react to him, but now you talk to him and engage with him. He doesn’t say nearly as many outrageous things either. Which confirms another suspicion I had.” She nods, satisfied.

“Huh? What suspicion?” I query.

“Well, I always kind of thought that he liked to say ridiculous things because he wanted your attention. You never reacted to anything he said so he kept escalating. He was never nearly as… vocal… with me. I haven’t noticed him speaking that way to any of the other customers either. He’s actually usually quite polite, particularly for an Incubus. I’ve just noticed that since you’ve started talking to him more he’s been a lot more relaxed. Like he isn’t. desperately trying to get attention and show off.” She explains..

“Oh, I guess maybe that’s true. He doesn’t take being ignored well… does he?” I observe. Coral giggles.

“No he doesn’t.” She agrees.

“But you didn’t answer me. Are you actually dating him?” She pushes on. I shrug.

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Cam 34- Faking and fretting

“Sort of, I guess?” I say noncommittally. She claps delightedly.

I knew you secretly liked him!

practically squeals.

not like that!” I argue. Cora tilts her head.

if you didn’t like him?”

it might get this creep who won’t stop harassing me to back off. My family too, they’re all obsessed with the idea of me marrying this guy and I want absolutely nothing to do with him. I’ve noticed that the only thing that

him then.” She

pretending to be my boyfriend

family are going to know it’s fake. I’m not exactly the

reason, although I know I’m just trying to justify it. Cora

makes sense. It is a shame though, I thought that you guys were a real couple. I suppose Harry is hoping it will turn out to be real. He

it’ll ever really go anywhere.” I point out. A thought

occurs to me.

won’t tell anyone about this will you? If word gets around then it will all be a wasted

harassing me.” I sigh. Cora holds out

secret is safe

but I can’t stop thinking about how weird I made things earlier. I know we both agreed to move on, but I can’t quite forget it. This is

2/4

Faking and

he is being unusually quiet.

tonight?”

was thinking about

quiet. You don’t have

just shut up and stop pressuring him to talk to me, but it feels so unnatural. He usually talks so much that I

somehow I feel relieved. I don’t know how to deal with quiet Harry, except maybe for when he’s sitting in the corner of my work room doing his own work. But even

ven

cared if a question is worth asking? I didn’t realise that you actually THOUGHT

point. In that case…” He holds out a hand to me like I’m a stray cat he’s trying not to frighten away. I have no

is, can I hold your hand?” He asks, enunciating each word

Why?” I question without thinking. Harry raises an eyebrow.

I just want physical contact. With you specifically I mean. Although if you keep turning me down I might have to go visit Ryann and at least get a hug. I don’t even know the last time I got a proper hug.” He frowns as if trying to figure