Page 45 of The Spider Queen
Thane’s question blasted into my mind, causing me to laugh out loud in the middle of a lecture.
Professor Walsh looked at me and frowned. “Do you find the disappearance of our wetlands amusing?”
I hastily shook my head. “Nope. Not funny at all. Save the ducks!”
Professor Walsh shook her head and went back to droning on while I attempted to pay attention. But it was no use because Thane would not be ignored.
Hello? Poppy? This is serious.
So are my grades!
Through the rest of my class, I was distracted and I didn’t bother taking any notes. Thankfully the lecture came to an end, Professor Walsh gave us some assigned reading, and I was running for the exit before I’d even properly packed up my stuff. I carried it all in my arms, looking like a disheveled mess.
My phone vibrated, and I hoped like hell it was Hunter. He hadn’t replied to my morning text, and I grew even more despondent when I saw it wasn’t from him.
It was Anita asking if I was on my way home. I shot out a quickYes.
When I walked into the apartment, Anita was at the kitchen counter making a sandwich. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I’d forgotten to eat all day.
“So, I’m not going to beat around the bush,” Anita began, turning to look at me.
“Okay.”
“I came home from Jonah’s this morning and heard sounds coming from your bedroom.”
“I think I left Netflix on,” I hastened to explain.
She stared at me with worried, brown eyes. “You propped up your creepy spider in front of the screen. Like it was watching TV.”
He,I wanted to say but didn’t. That wouldn’t help the situation at all. I had no answer or lie ready for her, so I remained silent.
“Then I saw your wall. What the fuck, Poppy? This is no longer funny. I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” I said, wishing I’d had made the time to throw paint over the marker drawing. “I’m just feeling really creative and imaginative lately.”
“No, don’t do that. Don’t sweep this under the rug. You’re not acting like yourself. You’re blowing off classes and drawing on the walls. You don’t draw.” She shook her head. “I hear you talking to yourself and I know you’re lying. I just can’t figure out what it’s about. And don’t get me started about that creepy as fuck spider in a cube.”
She continued to stare at me and then growled in frustration. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“What am I supposed to say? It’s not like you’ll believe me if I tell you.”
“Try me.”
“There are some things that are just unexplainable.”
“Do you even hear yourself? You’re a student of science! You’re all about reason and logic. If I were acting the way you’re acting, what would you think was happening?”
“I know,” I said on a sigh.
“Will you go see someone?”
“See someone?”
“A doctor. Maybe to get something to help you sleep.”
“Sure. If it makes you feel better.”
“It would.”
