Page 25 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
After a moment, I release it, the metal clattering onto my plate. “I’m leaving,” I say, standing. “If you want to follow me around again, now is your chance.”
I’m an idiot. Why am I encouraging a murderous vampire to follow me around? It’s what he wants. This is exactly how he lured Poppy—and the others. His footsteps follow, and I pat my pocket, making sure my pencil is still there.
Plenty of students see us leave together. It’s a small comfort.
“This is usually the part where we exchange numbers,” he says as we stroll to class.
I’m confident I know the way now, and the map is in my bag for safekeeping. He seems confident as well, walking in long strides.
“It would be…” I hesitate. I’ve already given him way too much, and I shouldn’t encourage whatever he thinks is happening with us. “But I don’t think you’ve earned it yet.”
He looks at me with lifted brows. It takes several seconds of silence for me to realize thewords are encouraging in their own way. He’s going to take it as a challenge and?—
God… I’m actually bantering with him.
“What do I have to do to earn it?” he asks, with a smile in his voice.
“If I have to tell you, that’s not you earning it.”
He huffs, holding the door open. Unlike last time, he follows me inside.
“How’s this?” he asks.
“How iswhat?”I’m dangerously close to laughing, more from confusion than amusement.
“I’m walking you to class,” he says. “Properly this time. Is this how I earn your number?”
He seems genuinely perplexed, and I bite at the inside of my cheek, finding it harder than ever to avoid laughter.
Caldwell may be useless, but he’s fun to laugh at.
“That is… the bare minimum.” I stop in front of the lecture hall. “You’ll have to do better next time.”
Now, when he smiles, it becomes more obvious. His lips lift into a half smile, head tilting to the side.
“Then therewillbe a next time?” he asks.
I roll my eyes, my hand resting on the door handle. “Goodbye, Caldwell.”
I make sure I have the last word, quickly ducking into the hall.
There’s a quiet hush in the hall. The small group of students is already settled in, and Professor Cruz stands near the front. Like the first day, I find my seat with Amelia.
She offers a bright smile, leaning in closer. “I was hoping you would sit with me,” she whispers.
“Then it’s your lucky day,” I say, returning her smile.
Amelia may come on strong, but she’s kind, and shecould prove herself useful in my investigations. I’ll stay on her good side.
The class is an ordinary one. It’s exactly the break I need between sleuthing.
During my classes, I’m like any other student—well, mostly. My dreams aren’t dashed to pieces, my life isn’t a lost cause, and my best friend is alive. Or, at least, I’m not thinking about her death.
Of course, as the class comes to an end, something has to change it. The other students file out, but when I go to join them, an intrusion gives me pause. A serious-looking man enters the room, wearing a grave expression.
“Tobey Underwood?” he calls, looking at Professor Cruz for help.
I freeze, my eyes wide as I lift a shaking hand. “That’s… um, that’s me?”
