Page 111 of Dark Moon Secrets

“And I thought you were my friends.”

“We’re here in your time of need, so, of course, we’re your friends,” said Caleb, placing his hand on his heart.

“Mind you, the way you’ve been tight-lipped since getting here made me wonder if you’d ditched us.”

“It’s because of this boy,” said Caleb.

“And it’s over between us. Nothing more than a fling… well, a mistake, really.” I had to put up an act. If the other witches were listening, I couldn’t tell the truth. At least not here in this room. With Mia and Caleb staying elsewhere, I wasn’t sure of my chances of getting time to speak with them outside of here.

“I don’t believe it,” said Caleb.

“You just want gossip.”

“I drove for hours, so yeah, I want details, missy,” he said with a wink.

“You know, maybe tomorrow you could help me outside. I think some sunshine would do wonders for me getting better.”

“That is a great idea,” said Mia.

“I know of a cute café a few doors down where we can have coffee, my shout.”

“You’re on,” said Caleb.

Then I could maybe tell them some more details. They were my friends, and I didn’t want to keep my new life completely from them. Otherwise, I might lose them. And I couldn’t let that happen.

“Time’s up, I’m sorry to say,” said Pepper as she stepped toward us, a mug of tea in her hand.

“So soon.” Caleb pouted.

“You can come back once she’s rested. I’ll ring you when she’s awake,” said Pepper.

“Thanks. I want to see them again.”

“Yes you do,” started Mia. “We barely got anything from you.”

Mia got up and came over to me. I froze.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hug you.” She kissed the top of my head.

I giggled at her gesture. “Never thought you’d do something like that.”

“And I never thought you’d nearly kill yourself or whatever you managed to do to yourself when hiking,” said Mia.

Caleb stiffly got up from the bed, trying not to make any sort of movement for me. Then, he also kissed me on the top of my head.

“Details,” he whispered. “Or else.”

I watched them leave. They each waved before disappearing down the staircase. I wished them back, but they didn’t come.

“Here, drink the tea before the pain gets too bad,” said Pepper softly and helped me to drink.

I wasn’t going to argue with that. The pain I woke to during the night was still clear in my mind.

“It’s good to see you happier,” said Pepper as I sipped the tea. “Your friends are helping.”

“It’s good to see them.”

I finished the tea and rested against the pillows, remaining upright in bed.

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