"Yeah, yeah. But I have to wonder one thing?"
"Hmm?" I pull a textbook from my bag and dump it on the desk. I have homework to do before tomorrow regardless of whether or not my room is occupied by my best friend. Or covered in feathers.
"Where does this leave your crush on Ryan?"
My blood runs cold. How does she know about that? I've never mentioned it to her. Or to him. Or, well, anyone.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Please, you're about as obvious as a stripper at a hen party." Amusement shines through every word, but I don't know where that leaves me. Do I deny I have feelings for her twin brother? Maybe it's time to come clean about that one. Not that I think she'll do anything about it.
"There's nothing between us." I sit on my desk chair, swivelling back and forth. I don't know why they put these things next to desks, they only make me procrastinate and not actually do any work.
"You don't know that."
I laugh bitterly. "If there was something between me and Ryan, one of us would have acted on it by now."
"Hmm."
"Are you saying he likes me?" My heart beats against my chest, anticipation and confusion both warring within me.
"From the way he acts, I'd say yes."
"Oh, so he hasn't actually told you." I try not to let my disappointment show.
"Of course he hasn't. For one thing, he's my brother. And for a second, we're not in primary school anymore, we don't do the so-and-so said they like so-and-so thing."
I cross my arms, more annoyed that she's right than anything else. "You say that like Cade didn't tell you he liked you," I point out. Even if her brother's best friend isn't the guy she wants to give her attention, it's still flattering for him to have told her. At least, that's what I'm choosing to believe.
"Not the point."
I sigh. "Ryan and me is a bad idea. Our friendship is too important for a start. I don't want to mess that up because of a silly crush on your brother."
"And here was me thinking the two of you could fall madly in love with one another and I'd get to keep you as my sister-in-law for the rest of my life." She genuinely seems to like the idea, which is odd. Maybe I should have spoken up earlier.
"I plan on being in your life forever anyway," I counter.
"That's not a no on Ryan..."
I sigh. "I don't think it's a good idea to go down that path. It'll only end in heartbreak."
"Hmm." She doesn't seem convinced, but also doesn't contradict me. That says it all. Ryan and me isn't something that's going to happen. Now, or in the future.
I let my gaze stray back to the kitten playing in the feathers. I can see Rhubarb in my life for a long time to come. We'll be a dream team. The witch and the cutest familiar ever.
Eventually, she says goodnight and heads to her own room, no doubt to do the homework she's been set. The course load is definitely bigger than I expected when I first came here, but I appreciate the distraction from my magicless situation.
I set about working on my essay, ignoring Rhubarb as best I can. He seems happy to keep playing on the ground, so it seems okay to just leave him there. At least he's happy. That's a good start.
My phone vibrates, the sound of it rattling against the table making me jump. Sometimes, I swear it's louder than if I actually had a ringtone.
A smile spreads over my face as I think about Thomas. I didn't think he would text so soon. I grab it from the desk and check my messages, only to find Caspian's name flashing on the screen. Huh. My smile doesn't fade though, and I reply instantly. Maybe that makes me look too keen, but I don't care. It's fun to think the popular guy is even remotely interested in me and I'm going to make the most of it before he figures out how much of a loser I really am.
Chapter Six
My knife slips through ginger root, slicing it to the perfect thickness for the potion we're making. My Grandma taught me how to brew potions, and thankfully, this skill hasn't abandoned me with the rest. As far as I know, I'm the top of this class.
The cauldron fizzes as I drop it in, emitting the most delicious smell imaginable. I know that's the point of what we're brewing, but it still takes me a moment to get used to it.