Page 23 of Monster's Mistake

“Yes. About Betelgeuse,” he says.

“Which one is that?”

“It’s a red star that makes up part of Orion,” he responds.

“I thought you didn’t know anything about the stars?” I tease.

“I don’t know any more than that,” he admits. “And it’s not very interesting. It’s just a legend that when Betelgeuse is shining brightly, it means that the ghoul hunger is stronger.”

“Is it true?”

“Not that I’ve noticed,” Meic responds. “But it’s something I’ve gotten used to, it’s always there. It’s not something I can ever forget about.”

“Like my snakes,” I respond.

“Yes. I mean, I imagine so.”

I sigh and look out of the window. “This is a really nice date,” I say.

“I’m glad you think so.” He smiles at me and reaches out, pausing when he remembers the line.

Feeling bold, I take his hand in mine, liking the way it feels even if it’s foreign to me. I could get used to this, and I’m going to have to if I want to be able to act on some of the thoughts I’ve been having about Meic, because I’m definitely not going to be able to experience any of that if I don’t want him to touch me.

But we’re just going to have to build to that. And it’ll be worth it in the end.

CHAPTER 9

Meic

TheDivinationclassroomis already full by the time I arrive, though thankfully, I’m not late. Which is a good thing, because I don’t think Professor Bishop will be happy if I’m late again, and I don’t want him to take anything off my grade.

Nati looks up and waves to me from the spot we’ve been sitting for the past couple of lessons and my heart constricts in response. The light glints off of the snakes on her head, and they move around lazily. I don’t know enough about them to be able to tell if that’s normal behaviour, or if they’re restless, and I don’t want to ask her. Not yet, anyway. She wasn’t so keen on talking about the gorgon stuff on our date, which is fair. It’s not like I’ve told her the ins and outs of being a ghoul.

I make my way over to her and dump my bag on the table. “Hey.”

“Hi.” A hiss sounds and she lifts a hand to bat away one of the snakes. “Shh, Frank, not now.”

“Ah, he still doesn’t like me,” I say, trying not to let the thought hurt too much. I want every part of her to like me, including the snakes on her head.

“He’ll get there,” she responds. “He doesn’t really like anyone.”

“So I shouldn’t try to take it too personally?”

“Pretty much.” She flashes me a shy smile. “So, I had a good time on our date.”

“Me too.”

“Even though all we did was hold hands?”

“We did so much more than that,” I counter. “I’m not all about sex.”

“Should I say that I’m disappointed?”

Something that’s definitely not my heart tightens at her words. “Nati...”

“Yes, Meic?”

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

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