"Of course. I'll save this number."
"A-alright. Uh... Have a good day, then."
"You too. Stay out of trouble."
Ugh, I can't guarantee anything about that.
We hang up, and I let out a long sigh. Although this conversation was a bit strange, I somehow feel a lot lighter. I feel like we've cleared some air between us. I think... I think I'm starting to understand Amy a bit better. She doesn't have bad intentions, she's just trying to do her best with the little bit of knowledge she had about what a real family is supposed to be like. If Clarissa grew up alone and depressed, maybe Amy became cold and detached as her own result... and is fighting through it with the only real bond she has.
Spark suddenly jumps on the kitchen counter next to me, staring at me with his big golden eyes shining in the dark. I pet him, a bit unsure of what to do next. I don't really feel like going back to bed now… although I should probably try to get some more sleep. The twins are still chatting on the balcony. I rinse my cup and turn around to grab my cat and my phone, but just then, it vibrates. I frown. Did Amy text me?
I open it, but to my surprise, it's from another number.
"I miss you. And I'm sorry. Can we talk tomorrow?"
I hesitate a bit. Liam? My heart skips a beat in my chest. Damn it, I really hope that's him and not one of his other secret girlfriends... I think about what to answer, not to sound too cheesy or too nice. I'm still a bit mad at his reaction earlier...
"Are you learning to use phones now?"
"I had to. My girlfriend isn't a werewolf."
I bite my thumb. So he still considers me his girlfriend... Hmm. Does that mean he got his family's approval? Or he doesn't care? I haven't found anything about the other Mara yet. What does he want to talk about? I'm a bit nervous now. I try to think of an answer while I glance at the clock again. My conversation with Amy comes back to mind for some reason. What would she think of me going out with a werewolf? After a while I sigh and type an answer.
"I miss you too. Can you come get me after my classes tomorrow?"
I take a deep breath, and walk back to the balcony where the twins are silent. They both turn their heads toward me as they hear me arrive.
"Ben, do you think you can take me to the university tomorrow?"
He opens his eyes wide and he exchanges a look with his sister, both baffled.
"Sure, but... why are you going there? You have a new lead? What about the cemetery?"
"I'll go to the cemetery... after my classes end. And Kelsi's too."
"You're going to your classes? Seriously?"
I sigh, a bit embarrassed.
"I talked to my sister, and I figured... although I don't have all the answers yet, I'll have them someday. And then, I'll have to get back to... a normal life as much as possible. So, I want to go to the university, find something I might want to do. It doesn't have to be anything too meaningful. I just want some... normalcy in my life."
"Normalcy. Got it. Yeah, sure."
"Thanks..."
A bit awkward, I walk back to my room with Spark on my heels, and look through the stuff on my desk to find an agenda or something. Damn, I have no idea what my schedule is like... I guess I'll just have to accompany Kelsi to hers tomorrow and ask the secretary.
Chapter 23
"...You want me to help you put on makeup?"
"Hush! Kelsi!" I protest in a whisper.
I am already dead embarrassed, but her over-excited expression and the glares we are getting from all the nearby students is not helping.
She is smiling from ear to ear and barely glances at the professor behind her laptop. This class is dead boring anyway, I don't even know why I wanted to accompany her... I found out my classes ended an hour earlier than what I had told Liam at the last minute. This is what I get for not checking my schedule properly, I guess. Anyway, I didn't want to look too impatient, so I joined Kelsi for her class, but now, I am regretting this a little...
"So you really have a date with Liam Black after?" she asks.
