Page 74 of Shadows of Nightshade
My hands shook as I grabbed a spare backpack and pulled open the top drawer.
What should I pack? Extra bras were a must. I might not have much to brag about in the chest area, but I certainly couldn’t get away with nothing. Someone would be sure to notice.
Plus, I should probably add an extra sweater, or two.
“Hey.” Jiayi was suddenly beside me, and she touched her perfectly manicured fingers to my wrist. “Is something bothering you? Maybe I can help.”
I stared, her words lingering in my thoughts, before a choking sensation welled in my chest.
This was the most we’d spoken in one single session. She’d always been withdrawn. Did this mean we could maybe be friends?
Then it was even more important that I impress her.
“I…” Damen had mentioned earlier that this was a supernatural school. It made sense, therefore, why Finn had chosen to come here. But I didn’t know the etiquette. Did people talk about this sort of thing? I should have paid more attention. “Are you…”
What if I was wrong? Was it okay to ask people about their abilities?
I had no idea.
“Are you going to eat dinner soon?” I asked instead. God, I was so awkward.
She lifted her hand and my skin grew hot. I had no idea why I chose this topic, I’d panicked!
Why was I always thinking about food?
“I have to study tonight,” she answered in her even way, moving her attention to our kitchenette. “So I was going to make sandwiches and stay in. Why?”
“I was just curious.” I was sweltering in my discomfort. There was no ‘why’! This was the longest a girl my age had spoken to me without running away or issuing threats. And now here we stood, on the cusp of friendship, and I was failing. “The cute lunches that you make look really good.”
“They’re bento boxes,” Jiayi replied, tilting her head. “Do you want one?”
I really did. But I had plans.
“I can’t today.” I clenched my fists to my chest in an attempt to physically contain my rising excitement. She was much nicer than I’d thought. I almost wanted to cancel on the guys. “But maybe another time?”
“Of course,” Jiayi answered.
Now, what should we discuss? One topic had run its course, and there was nothing left to replace it.
I only had so many words!
“Okay!” My voice escaped in a shameless, happy squeak, and I turned from her and began to shove random stuff from my drawers into my backpack. What was this thrilling sensation rushing under my skin? I had to escape before I made a fool of myself.
“Bianca?” Jiayi’s unspoken question hung in the air.
Something was very wrong with me.
“That’s good!” I couldn’t look at her. I swung my too-heavy bag over my shoulder and trudged toward the exit. I’d packed too much, but I couldn’t stop to fix it now. “Thank you!”
My heart pounded as I closed the door behind me, and my pathetic farewell replayed in my head over and over.
Thank you. It wasn’t even a proper ‘Goodbye.’
How embarrassing.
But…
My face was on fire, and I covered my mouth as I leaned against the wall. It was a struggle to distinguish between my shame and excitement. We weren’t even friends yet.
