Page 25 of Supernova

Billie’s hands worked my long dark hair while I fiddled with my fingers in my lap. “And none of you guys ever hooked up?” The thought did plague me. Not that me and Griffin were ever going to happen. But we obviously flirted—a lot. I did maybe have a teeny weeny crush on the guy but I’d never want to stomp on my girls’ perfectly manicured toes if I ever went there. If any of them did have a thing for him, I’d cut the flirting asap—no matter how good it felt.

“Ew please! He’s like a brother to us!” Kit’s voice was a high pitched exclamation as she paused her painting, giving me her full attention.

“Totally a brother to us … but you did kiss him once though, Kit.” Billie reminded her friend.

Kit didn’t hesitate to shoot it down. “Yes, when I was like twelve and it was way too weird. We both ran away, didn’t talk to each other for like a week and then when Billie finally parent-trapped us, we promised we would never do it again” She paused. “Carter on the other hand … well … can’t say the same.”

My head snapped so quickly to her that I gave myself whiplash. “Oh my god, KIT!” She blushed but shrugged it off as if she didn’t just drop a major bomb on me.

“What? I like my men naughty … and British.” She said with no shame.

Billie laughed, “They’ve been at it for years. Carter came along when we were like fourteen and Kit’s rebellious nature couldn’t resist. Neither could his.”

I was so shocked at this new revelation, and so glad I didn’t leave with him that first night. “So are you guys a thing then? I had no idea!”

“Nope.” Kit’s reply was so casual it stunned me even more. “Totally not a thing. I’m not into settling. We just have our fun when we feel like it. We’re like … I don’t know … fuck buddies?”

“Fair enough.” I responded with both amusement and confusion, trying to wrap my head around it all. It suddenly clicked to me that she had suggested that Griffin wasn’t naughty enough for her. That made my head spin all over again. “So, you’re telling me Griff isn’t a bad boy then?”

Billie was the one to reply now. “Griff is just … different. He definitely beats to his own drum. He does what he likes but he also mostly follows the rules. Although, if you told him that he’d deny it—the following rules part. He gets away with a lot but doesn't push things too far—usually. He’s surprisingly quite dutiful and a great warrior, even though he doesn’t put too much effort in. But that's mostly because he’s just so good that he doesn’t need to. Which leads to his annoying confidence and can make him come across as arrogant or egotistical but knowing him, I think it’s mostly just a persona he puts on—a way to have some fun. He’s more bored than anything else which causes him to act up on occasion. That’s probably what also leads to his ‘extracurricular’ activities. Carter on the other hand likes to stir shit up and cause trouble. So when the two of them are together, they can be quite a handful for the officials.”

“He’s definitely cocky. But Carter is more the troublemaker,” Kit added.

Billie finished up the braid and leaned towards me. “He’s all yours if that’s what you’re wondering.” I turned so I was facing her and she smiled warmly at me.

“I’m honestly not ready for anything right now.” I’d filled them in about everything with River during my first couple of days. Safe to say they were never going to be team River—not that I’d even want them to be anymore—but I could tell they were definitely team Griff and would probably love to see me with one of their closest friends.

“I’m sure Griff would always be down for some rebound sex,” Kitana winked.

I blushed. “I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet either.”

Billie chuckled. “He definitely would be into that,” she agreed. Then she touched my shoulder and her expression turned serious. “I think it’s good that you’re taking time to heal. But just so you know, we’ve never seen Griff give someone so much attention.”

Kit nodded in agreement. “He can be a massive flirt and I’m sure he gets around. But I’ve never seen him have so much interest in one person. He’s usually so blasé.”

This conversation had been so full of surprises. I couldn’t fathom that he wasn’t like this with everyone, yet I also couldn’t stop the slow smile from forming on my lips. It felt good to know I was special. Especially after I had been played like a fiddle by River.

“Thanks girls. For everything.” I pulled them in for a hug. “I feel very … informed. But you’re all I need for now.” They squeezed me back.

It felt amazing to be surrounded by people who lifted me up and had my back. This place was already starting to feel like home.

CHAPTER 18

That night, when I couldn’t sleep, I creeped out of bed and snuck out of the Bunker. Mindlessly walking, I found myself heading towards the fire escape to get some fresh air and see if I could catch a glimpse of the stars. It was something I missed deeply about Saint Claire; the clear skies and endlessly bright twinkle of the galaxy. My bed here wasn’t exactly located in a prime stargazing position given that the only windows were on the opposite side, so I didn’t get my daily fix like I would back there. I was conscious of not calling Saint Claire home anymore—at least not right now while it was all so fresh. I couldn’t see it the same now that my rose-coloured glasses were shattered into a thousand pieces. But it was still ‘home’ enough for me to want to eventually go back and save it from the wolves that were terrorising it.

With my thoughts elsewhere, I pulled myself up the ladder and onto the small platform. I sucked in a deep breath before I looked out the large window. I let that breath out when I found a dark silhouette leaning against the fire escape. I was hoping that I’d stumble upon that view. Hoping that I might have company tonight.

I wasn’t sure if it was Carter or Griffin, but either way, I wouldn’t be mad at who I’d encounter—either would be a much-needed distraction. Although, a part of me secretly hoped I might run into one of them slightly more than the other.

It may have been the reason I came out here.

With a soft tug, I lifted up the window enough to squeeze through and then proceeded to take a seat on the ledge. The hooded male turned towards me, revealing the angelic features of Griffin, the sharp planes of his face highlighted by the soft glow of the moon. He gave me a cheeky smile, as if he too had been hoping someone would join him. Or maybe that was just what I wanted him to be thinking.

“You found me.” His piercing gaze didn’t stray as he gave me his signature smirk. So maybe he was indeed thinking the same thing. Just like the first time I laid eyes on him, his dark, silky locks peaked out under his faded black hoodie. Our positions were reversed from the last time we were out here together. As he leaned his long body casually against the ladder of the fire escape his hands fiddled with a small dagger, twisting it in between his fingers. It was one of those little black ninja ones which I happened to learn was called a kunai. I’d picked up quite a lot of knowledge about weapons in my first week, eager to catch up on all the time I’d lost playing fairytale.

Dressed in my own hoodie—his one that I had now fully claimed—I pulled the material over my head to shield myself from the chilly breeze before I replied. “I wasn’t looking.” Lie.

He repositioned the kunai so his pointer finger was looped through the hole at the top, spinning it around thoughtlessly. The sexy ninja vibe he had going on was kind of a turn on. A week, Venus. It’s been a week. Stop it.

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