I remembered the fear I had felt yesterday – fear that something was going to happen to her. But it had all been so unnatural. Then there had been the headache and the brief collapse at Alarik’s and finally, the second time at the witches’ room. Something was wrong with me, and it had nothing to do with my control this time.
Two hours ago, I had drunk another portion of burning wolfsbane, because it was not long until the full moon. My body was going crazy. The transformation was threatening to set in, as it always did, and as soon as I looked in the mirror, my eyes lit up, and veins popped out everywhere. The reason why Senseque stayed home these days each month and kept away from humans.
I sucked in a sharp breath and wanted to go downstairs to the kitchen to Dad and Mia, but something unexplainable stopped me.
I turned to the window.
After that move of mine, I couldn’t just leave her sitting there.
An idea came to me, and I went to my desk.
A minute later I was back at the window, paper in my hand.
I waved my other one and Bay immediately looked up, her expression surprised, as if I had snapped her out of her daydreams.
She was wearing a blue hoodie that was a little too big for her, making her look even more crumpled.
I held up the paper I had written Hey on with a black marker, hoping I didn’t completely put my foot in my mouth and embarrass myself.
She looked at me blankly for a while, then looked up at the ceiling, leaning her head against her bookshelf.
Crap. I really wasn’t good at cheering other people up. However, I couldn’t give up now either.
Determined, I pulled out the marker, and drew a smiley face on the back and pressed it to the window.
Bayla looked at me, annoyed, and pulled the curtain closed.
That had really backfired.
I took another sheet and wrote Please respond if you’re not uncool, and held it up to the window. I was sure she could see me.
The curtain didn’t move.
Just as I was about to give up, a note appeared on her window.
I had to stifle a grin as I read Leave me alone, Julian.
That was progress, if only a little.
Her handwriting was even more scrawly than mine, but I could read it.
How are you? I wrote quickly.
I’m not in the mood for small talk. Came the next sign, Bay still not to be seen.
Me neither 😊
She ripped the curtain away and rolled her eyes.
Jackpot.
I couldn’t suppress the grin anymore, but tried to keep it in check, because I didn’t want her to close the curtain again.
She slapped the next note roughly against the window so I could hear it.
Don’t you have any other neighbors to annoy?
The corners of my mouth continued to move upward.
I do, but they’re on vacation 😊
She rolled her eyes, but continued writing.
What do you want?
I hesitated for a moment, then wrote: Find out how you are.
She looked at me unsympathetic and put the notepad down on her legs.
Well, crap. I had to keep writing.
Honestly.
She seemed to think very briefly, then angled her legs again so she could write on the pad.
Shitty.
What else did I expect? Certainly not that she was about to hug a tree out of pure joy.
