Page 48 of The Bleak Beginning

Why does she appear genuinely sad at that?

“You could join me, if you want. I’m usually here on Saturday afternoons.”

The invitation surprises me, but I find myself nodding before I can overthink it. “Yeah, that’d be cool. Thanks.”

Sutton smiles, a genuine one that reaches her eyes. “Great. It’s a plan.”

“It’s kind of like plants, in a way. They have similar patterns.” I say, continuing the conversation not wanting her to revert back to her sad silence. “They have these intricate designs, like fractals, that repeat themselves in smaller and smaller patterns. It’s fascinating when you really look closely.”

Sutton’s eyes widen with interest. “You’re into plants?”

“Botany.” I correct, lifting a shoulder.

“Really?” She leans forward, her eyes sparkling with newfound interest. “That’s so cool. I’ve always been fascinated by nature, but I don’t know much about the science behind it.”

I can’t help but grin at her enthusiasm. “Well, if you’re interested, we can take a nature walk sometime, and you can bring your sketchbook and draw some new finds for me.”

Especially since I no longer have a phone to take photos, and if it’s a rare find it’s not always kosher to remove the species from its environment.

“Maybe we can take one of those Saturday afternoon sessions outside? You know, if the weather allows for it.”

Sutton nods eagerly. “I’d love that. It’s been a while since I’ve learned something just for the sake of learning.”

Her words strike a deeper chord with me than she realized. Before finding my interest in plants and flower species, everything I learned never felt like mine, but instead was simply for the approval of others.

The piano had always been my mother’s love. Botany is the first thing that’s ever really been mine, and mine alone.

“I get it. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to explore new interests.”

“Exactly,” she says. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost touch with that part of myself, you know? The part that used to get excited about learning new things just for the fun of it.”

The longer we speak, the more I notice Sutton’s posture relaxing, her earlier defensiveness completely melting away.

“It’s never too late to rediscover that part of yourself,” I say, my tone understanding.

“You know what? You’re right. Let’s do it. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we’ll have our first botany and sketching session.”

I feel a warmth bloom in my chest, mirroring the enthusiasm in her expression. “Perfect. I know just the spot, too. There’s this little clearing in the woods behind my dormitory. It’s teeming with diverse plant life.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Sutton says, her fingers already twitching, as if longing for a pencil.

Anyway, I was looking for any excuse not to go back to that mildew-scented closet, so spending the day outside tomorrow would be a luxury. It was also the reason I chose to hang out here tonight, where the worst thing I had to worry about was a chef accidentally burning a dish. Not lung poisoning from the inhalation of unsealed chemicals or mold.

Not to mention the rats.

There was also no poop anywhere in sight.Dolores, I miss you.

The doors at the front of the room open, and I immediately recognize the bright red hair as soon as he closes his umbrella and shakes out the extra rain from his clothes. Was he wearing a top hat?

I slink back into my chair.

Don’t look this way. Don’t look this way. Don’t look this way.

But of course he does. Alfie heads in our direction as I try to make myself as small as possible, wishing I could melt into the chair.

Shit.

“What’s wrong with you?” Sutton says, leaning close. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

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