Brown laughed. "You're so funny. Werewolves aren't ever cold. At least, I didn't think they were."
We both sat up straight at that statement. "You know what she is?"
"Of course." Then she looked alarmed. "Wait, you didn't know? Oh my gosh. I am so sorry." She looked at Pippa and bit her lip. "You aren't going to eat me, are you?"
The wolf's mouth hung open. Not only did Brown know who she was, but she just blabbed it like it was the weather. Then she slammed her with a stereotype right after.
I laughed.
"I can't do this." Pippa gathered up her books and left. Her back and shoulders were rigid at she went to the door.
Brown took her seat. "I did something wrong, didn't I? I have this problem. I speak without thinking sometimes."
"Really?"
She nodded. "I do and sometimes I overstep boundaries that I should know are there. I had no idea you didn't know. I'm sorry to you too. You're handling it really well. Do you know what that means, that she's a werewolf? They exist. Trust me."
"Brown." I leaned across the table. I wanted to make sure she heard me. "You need to stop talking about being a witch, or about werewolves, or about vampires. Ninety percent of the population doesn't believe in that stuff and the ones who do are going to be uncomfortable around you. A lot of people don't know about that world and you're here, just chatting away. You're either going to get a reputation as being crazy and no one will talk to you or someone is going to be hurt you." I leaned back. "So shut up."
Her eyes went wide. "Really? They'd think I was crazy?"
"I'm surprised it already hasn't happened."
"But it's just the truth. I lived in a community where witches and all that stuff were common. Everyone knew about it. People really don't know about it here?"
I shook my head. The girl was going to be an outcast.
"Oh my gosh. I have to tell you this. I haven't seen you since that last time I was at your room and by the way, here's the book I meant to take to you that day. Everything got so chaotic with my powers that day; I was in such a rush that I forgot to leave it for you."
"You brought that book to me?"
Then she produced it from her bag and it fell with a thud on the table. "Here it is! And don't worry. I did a little spell so you can walk through the door. The alarms won't go off. Promise. I've been in and out with this book many times since then." She caressed the tan dusty book in a loving gesture. "It has so many interesting tidbits in here. But you wanted it to learn about wolves, right? Probably because of the one that was just here, right?"
I shifted in my seat. Even I was uncomfortable. "You did a spell, huh?"
"Yeah." She tucked some of her curls behind her ears. "I know it's supposed to stay here, but that clerk really made me mad that day. I decided to take it with me and if he gets in trouble, he deserves it. Plus, I took it to my mom's business and made copies of it. I have three copies, just to be safe." She giggled. I could see she was proud.
"How illegal of you." I grinned and reached for the book. The cover had a velvety feel to it, but she was right."Thank you for the book. I have to head home now, though. Thanks a lot, Brown. Really." As I stood up and grabbed my bag, Brown stood in front of me. She looked uncertain and there was something swimming inside her. I could feel it. It wanted to come out at me, but I didn't know what it was.
Then she folded her hands in front of her. "Do you think you'd like to hang out sometime?" She laughed and her voice hitched higher. "You were right. I don't have any friends. I think it's because of what you said before. I talk too much, about things that I shouldn't. You're the only one who hasn't shunned me."
Oh goodness. She needed a friend.
"I thought, maybe, we could go for ice cream or something? Maybe coffee?" She gave me a tight smile. "I'll pay."
I closed my eyes. I couldn't believe I was going to do this, but there was something about her that I liked, even if she pushed the boundaries. "Okay. Maybe. I don't know. Tomorrow?"
She perked up. "Tomorrow would be great. Awesome! Thanks. I can't wait."
What had I gotten myself into? She flashed a radiant smile and grabbed her bag, which was filled to the brim with books. Then she waved over her shoulder as she ran out of the library. "Thanks, Davy! I'll see you tomorrow." A clerk appeared in front of her, but Brown turned and as she did, her bag bounced on her back and decked the clerk in the face.
She hurried away and he held a hand to his face.
I shook my head and strolled past him with the book in my own bag. No matter what kind of a hyper person she was, Brown was a witch. And she was right. Once that box inside of her that anchored all her magic was unlocked, she'd be a very powerful witch. Until then, I was glad it only let her do a little. She'd be lethal and out of control if it wasn't the case.
As I was walking to my dorm, a sudden wave of urgency washed over me. I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and gasped. I bent over until my head touched the tops of my knees. I gasped again and felt like I was drowning. Wave after wave crashed over me and I heard a small voice in the distance, "Tell him, please. Tell him."
I gasped against the onslaught of waves. "Tell who? Tell him what?"