The Morphling's Gem

Chapter 14

  Brielle dusted off the cover of the hard bound book, and set in on her lap.
This volume could hold the answers to all her questions. She quickly tucked it into her backpack, and zipped it up just as Corin and Harper turned the corner.

Brielle was anxious to peek into the world of her own. She quickly shouldered the backpack and stood up.
Forming a false yawn, she groaned. "I'm super tired..." She told them.

Corin's pale blue eyes flashed with suspicion. "Alright, then." He said, despite any curious feelings he had. "Have a good night."

   Brielle hurried down the hall and into the Lounge, where she quickly scaled up the spiral staircase and shot into her room. She shut the door hard behind her, and threw the book bag on the bed.
Suddenly Jay materialized in front of her. "You almost skewered me with the door."
Brielle leaped back onto her bed, heart beating fast. "Stop scaring me like that!"
He shrugged. "Sorry." He swept a hand through his curly black hair. Brielle observed his angular cheekbones, tan skin, and the way his muscles stood under his skin. She caught herself staring, and mentally slapped herself in the face.
   "You know, I would like to shower now, so it would be great if you could let me have some privacy..." She pushed him along towards the door. He braced his arms in the doorway. "Wait, wait! Brielle, you are hiding something."
   She shook her head. "No I'm not. I would just like to clean myself up and get to bed. It's been a long day, and I've had a lot to process in the past 48 or so hours. So please, let me be."
   He gave her a sideways glance under dark lashes through icy irises, a look that almost made her want to drag him to bed with her. Another mental slap in the face. She almost hated herself for thinking that. Then she slammed the door in his face.