"I think we just have to carry on doing what we're doing," she responds. "Spend time hanging out, talk about the boys in our lives that aren't my brother, try and solve mysterious curses...we're all set as far as I'm concerned."
My heart swells even more than it does when I see a cute kitten, or one of said boys in my life does something sweet.
"Even so, I appreciate it," I tell her.
"I know," she whispers.
An odd silence fills the room. I don't want to break the moment, but I also don't know what to say.
A loud ringing sounds through the room, making both of us flinch. It takes me a moment to realise it's my phone, and jump up from the bed, dropping the toy for Rhubarb to carry on playing with so I can grab it.
My eyes widen as I take in Thomas' name on my lock screen.
"Hey?" I say the moment I've hit the green button.
"Hi, Mona. Are you free right now?" he asks.
Daphne nods eagerly from the bed, sliding Felix off her lap and collecting up her stuff. I'm guessing that's another thing that a best friend is for.
"I am, yes."
"Can I come over?"
"Sure?" I think that's okay. I'm not sure if there are any specific rules against teaching assistants spending time in a student's room. Maybe. I should probably check that.
"Alright, I'll be there in ten minutes." He hangs up before I can ask how he knows which flat I'm in. At this point, I'm not even sure it matters.
"Have fun with your teacher," Daphne teases as she opens my door.
"He's not..." The door shuts behind her. "My teacher," I finish lamely. She's not going to believe me if she can't hear me. I hope no one else questions me about it. I'll have a harder time convincing them that there's nothing between Thomas and me.
Mostly because even I think that's a lie.
Chapter Six
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I ask as I set a cup of tea down in front of Thomas.
Escaping the room straight after he arrived on the pretence of making tea isn't exactly the best move from me, but I'm nervous about him being here, and going through a polite British ritual is one of the ways I can make myself feel a little bit better about everything. At least, that's my theory.
I sit down on my bed, cupping my mug between my hands and blowing across the top.
"We're less likely to get caught in your room than in my office," he points out.
"Hmm." I try not to think about the fact he's in my bedroom for the first time. And that the first means I expect it to happen again. But we can't risk getting caught, not when he shares his office with another teaching assistant.
Rhubarb jumps up onto the bed and starts making his way over to the mini table containing Thomas' tea.
"This is nifty," Thomas says, tapping the side of the desk.
"Thanks. I'm terrible at actually using my desk, this is a compromise." I shrug, feeling very self-conscious about the small portable table that can sit over my bed and keep my laptop from overheating. I’m bad at remembering to use the desk that comes with my room.
"It's a good idea." He picks up his tea and takes a sip.
The silence between us verges on uncomfortable and I can't explain why. I know Thomas well enough for it not to be an issue. And yet...
"Why couldn't we meet in the library?" I ask.
"Feathertop has been spending more time there, it's getting dangerous to go." He puts his tea back on the table.