Page 15 of Monster's Mistake

“They say it’s going to rain for the next week.” Which means that’s out.

Cethin closes his book and looks at me. “You should go on the kind of date you think you’ll both enjoy.”

“Yes, but whatisthat?”

“How should I know? I’ve been with Anja for a few months, it’s not like I’m some kind of master of dating,” he points out.

I sigh. “You’re supposed to know.”

“I know nothing more than you do. And I only know what Anja likes.”

“But she must have said something about what Nati enjoys doing?” This date is hopefully going to be the start of the most important relationship of my life, I don’t want to mess it up and make Nati want to reject me. At least, not any more than I’ve already been messing things up and making Nati want to reject me with my stupid approach to talking to her.

“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to find out?”

“Eurgh, you’re as impossible as Afan.” I turn around and head out of the door, not really sure where I intend to go. I need to get out of my room, especially if neither of my friends is going to be any real help. And I’d even go as far as saying that Afan is currently theanti-help.

And none of that gets me closer to working out where to take Nati on our date. Cethin’s picnic idea isn’t terrible, but with theweather, I’ll need to find somewhere inside to hold it, which also poses the problem of where we can possibly do that without being interrupted.

Or need to end things when curfew happens.

I turn a corner, only to stop in my tracks when I come face to face with the person I’m thinking about. “Nati,” I murmur.

To my surprise, she smiles at me. “Evening, Meic.”

My heart constricts at the way she says my name, without the same level of annoyance she’s had before.

“Isn’t it a little close to curfew for a stroll?” she asks.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

She laughs. “That’s fair. But I like the view of the stars better from here.” She gestures to the window and steps closer to it.

“I didn’t realise that was something you were interested in.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she points out. “That’s kind of the point of us going on a date.”

“So you haven’t changed your mind?”

She flashes me a surprisingly shy smile. “Even your terrible pick-up lines won’t scare me away.”

I chuckle, summoning one of the snakes from her hair. He doesn’t seem to have changed his opinion of me, as he takes the opportunity to hiss loudly.

“Oh, shh. I don’t need your permission to date someone,” Nati says to the snake.

“Can he understand you?”

She shrugs. “I’ve no reason to think he doesn’t.”

“What’s it like?”

“Having snakes for hair?” she checks.

I nod.

She sighs. “I don’t have anything to compare it to.” She undoes the catch on the window and pushes it open, letting in a slightly chilling breeze.

I lean against the windowsill and look out. “It took me years to come to terms with the fact I’m a ghoul.”

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