Page 53 of Bound By Earth (The Nature Hunters Academy 1)

Ugh. You’re fired. We are no longer BFFF’s. I’ve got a new one. Found her at the intersection of Main and 2nd Street. She doesn’t make fun of the way I talk or say rude, snarky things. So, basically, she suuuuuuuuuucks. Come on, Tara-bear. Don’t leave me to this BFFFhell.

That’s it. You’re dead to me. DEAD. TO.ME.

Tara was laughing so hardthat she had to sit down on her bed. Her stomach ached, and she had tears running down her cheeks. It was a much-needed break from the heaviness that had been dropped on her in the past half hour. A second later, her smile evaporated when a tap on the window caused her to jump up from thebed.

Tara crept over to the window, wondering if she should call out to Carol. She decided against it because if it was a bad person, at least Carol would have a chance to get away. Slowly, she pushed the curtain out of the way and came face to face with… “Oh, okay, not a face,” she muttered.Someone’s chest and stomach were in front of her window. When she looked up, Tara could only see the back of his head because the man was turned around looking behind him. She knew immediately it was Elias. What gave him away? Probably the dark, perfectly messy hair and broad shoulders that tapered into a narrow waist. He turned back around and started to tap again but stopped when he realized she was staring back at him. He motioned for her to open thewindow.

She shook herhead.

Elias mouthed the word “please,” though his eyes weren’t pleading. They werehard.

Tara thought of all the reasons she should not open her window. But as if they had a mind of their own, her hands reached out, unlocked, and then raised the window on their own accord. Stupid, disobedienthands.

Elias pulled the screen out. “All right if I comein?”

“If I sayno?”

“I’ll probably come inanyway.”

She let out a sigh. “Fine. Comein.”

He smirked at her as he stepped through the opening. He had to crouch low to allow his tall frame to squeeze through, yet he still moved with a quick and quiet grace. Tara wondered if he crawled through a lot of windows. He seemed rather good atit.

Once he was in, Elias turned, slid the window shut behind him, then faced her. His eyes drank her in as his jaw muscles clenched tightly. His hands opened and closed into fists as if he was trying to restrain himself, but fromwhat?

“Why are you here?” Tara finally asked. “I have to go eat dinner withCarol.”

“I thought you were on the phone with that boy,” hesaid.

Tara was a little surprised at the anger lacing his voice. “It was a shortcall.”

“Go eat. I’ll wait.” His voice was clipped and deeper thanusual.

“If she finds you in here, she’ll probably hit you with a broom or something,” Tarawarned.

“I’m pretty sure a broom can’t take me out. But she won’t find out I’m here. Go eat, luv. We can talk when you’redone.”

Tara stared at him for several heartbeats. She didn’t want him to leave, but she didn’t want to admit that to him either. Finally, she just shrugged and marched out of the room. Her stomach was tight with anticipation. She was wondering why he’d come, ridiculously happy to see him, angry because he wouldn’t give her straight answers, and some part of her just wanted him to leave her alone so she could move on with her probably-not-going-to-work-out-relationship withTucker.

All of dinner she was distracted. Carol asked questions, and all Tara could do was nod and say, ‘Uh-huh.’ She wasn’t sure if anything she said or did made sense. All Tara could think about was the fact that Elias was in her room right that verysecond.

“That must have been quite a date,” Carol said as they put away the dirty dishes. “You’ve been in adaze.”

“I’m sorry.” Tara sighed as her shoulders drooped. “I don’t mean to be badcompany.”

“It’s fine, Tara. It’s nice to see you smitten with someone.” Carol smiled and patted hershoulder.

She nodded. “Thank you. I’ve got some homework to getdone.”

Carol shooed her away. “Get to it then, missy. I’m working a double tomorrow so I will probably go to bed in just a few minutes. Give me a quick hug since I won’t see you untilSunday.”

Tara obeyed and wrapped her arms around her foster mom. Carol worked too much, but she wouldn’t allow Tara to get a job during the school year. Carol always said she just wanted Tara to focus on studying and beingyoung.

“Sleep tight,” Carol said and then headed for her ownbedroom.

Tara seriously considered just walking out the front door and texting Shelly to come get her. It would be kind of funny—okay, really funny—to leave Elias sitting waiting in her room. But her stupid heart was pitter-pattering because hewasin her room sitting andwaiting.

As she walked back to her room, her phone rang. She answered it without checking the ID because she knew who it wouldbe.

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