I Look In People's Windows

Chapter 18

Speak Now

I closed the door to my room, adjusting the collar of my coat before heading down the hallway. I stopped outside Lover’s room. She'd been inside since her argument with Rep during breakfast. She hadn't spoken to any of us since then, opting to be alone. We were worried about her but she wasn't up for talking.

My knuckles rapped lightly on the door as I spoke out. “Lover, are you okay? Can I come in?”

There was no answer.

“Okay, I'm going out. Do you want me to get you anything?”

Still no answer. I sighed before making my way downstairs and going to the kitchen where Debut was on her own. I'd been seeing her by her lonesome much more often these days.

“I'm going out for a while. Tell Red to keep an eye on Lover.” Debut gave a weak nod as I grabbed a small bag from the pantry, stuffing it into my coat.

I left the room and stopped outside the pottery studio, the door to which was slightly ajar. Folklore and 1989 hadn't returned yet and I doubted Red had decided to join Evermore in making something so I pushed the door open and found Karma inside examining the powder filled jars lining the shelves on the far wall.

“Hey.”

She turned around at the sound of my voice, smirk forming on her face. “Oh hi.”

“What are you doing in here?”

“Just taking a look around. It looks much nicer in here during the day. I see why you all picked this room for the pottery studio.” She picked out a teapot amongst the many things Folklore and Evermore had made, turning it over in her hands. “Are you going somewhere?” She gestured to the coat I was wearing.

“Yeah, I was planning on heading to the park.”

“Mind if I join you?” I froze, caught off guard. Never in a million years did I think she'd ask to hang out with me. I must have stood there wonderstruck for a while because when she spoke up again, she seemed doubtful about my answer. “It's fine if you don't want me to.”

“No, no. I mean yes. What am I even saying. I want you to come with me. ”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Let me grab a coat and I'll be right with you.”

I got to the front door and was joined by Karma fairly quickly. Neither of us spoke on the ride there, the only noise in the car coming from the radio. Once there, we got out and trudged over yellowed leaves, chill autumn air blowing around us.

“Do you come here often?”

“I do. Usually with Red.”

“I see.”

We walked along one of the paths until we reached a pond that I always made sure to visit whenever I was here.

“They have ducks.”

“I like to feed them whenever I come here.” I pulled a small bag filled with grains out of my coat pocket, emptying some of the contents into my right hand and throwing it into the water.

“You should try it.”

“Oh I don't know.”

“Don't be silly. Give me your hand.” Karma held her hand out to me and I dropped some of the grains into her hand and watched her throw it into the water. “See, it's fun.”

We watched the ducks for a while before walking around and stopping before a water fountain.

“This place is very nice.”