The Boy with the Blind Eyes

TWENTY THREE

Tamsin could only hear the dull thumps of her rapid footsteps hitting the floor as she sprinted through the carpeted penthouse corridor. She skidded to a halt outside the elevator and frantically shoved her finger into the button multiple times until the elevator doors slowly rumbled to life, opening up and waiting expectantly for her to enter. She slammed her fist against the 'G' and tapped her foot impatiently, waiting, while the numbers on the elevator screen flashed by as they passed each floor. When the elevator finally reached the ground floor, she tore through the barely opened doors and crashed into a group of people.

'Ow!' A redhead cried out, falling over and clutching her pale ankle. She looked up into Tamsin's eyes, distraught.

'I'm sorry!' Tamsin cried out, but kept on running while the group of girls shot her dirty looks and tended to their friend. She had just passed Milly's desk and was passing through the foyer area and into the cafeteria when she bumped into the one person she didn't want to see—Eliza.

Eliza's eyes widened when she saw Tamsin, clearly dishevelled and out of breath. She quickly whipped the watch behind her back and out of her sight, plastering a quick smile onto her face. 'Hi, Eliza.'

'Hey. Why are you so...messy?' Eliza asked carefully, picking up a strand of Tamsin's hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail. She let it slide right between her fingers and watched it tumble back down past her rib. Her clear eyes raked over Tamsin, searching for any other sign of unkemptness.

'Uh...' Tamsin was breathing hard and glancing over Eliza's shoulder for any sign of Lina—the one person she was looking for. She had to tell her about what she'd found in room 75, and then they could decide, together, what they would do about it. 'Um— '

'What's behind your back?' Eliza's eyes narrowed suspiciously. She craned her neck around, trying to see. When Tamsin shuffled away from her and attempted to conceal the watch from view, Eliza followed insistently. 'Tamsin? What are you hiding behind your back?' She asked again, this time firmly.

Tamsin kept her back out of view and swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. What was she meant to do now?

'It's...'

What did one say in this kind of situation?

'It's, um...'

Think, Tamsin! She thought. LIE!

'It's a love letter!' She blurted.

Eliza paused and stopped following her. She frowned for a moment, like she wasn't sure she believed it, and then erupted into laughter. She clutched at her abdomen and doubled over, trying to catch her breath. 'You—you— 'She tried to say, but only laughed harder.

Tamsin rolled her eyes. 'It's really not that funny.'

'It really is!' Eliza laughed, wiping under her eyes and pulling herself together. 'Oh, man. You had me a little suspicious there for a sec.' She paused. 'So you write love letters to Brett?'

Tamsin's cheeks reddened. She wanted to take back the lie. Now all she could imagine was Eliza spreading some kind of nasty rumour about her being such a loser and writing love letters to her beau. 'Not exactly...'

'So Brett writes them to you?' Eliza guessed.

Tamsin hesitated before answering, 'Yes. He does. He writes me letters.' Shut up or she'll know you're lying!

Eliza smothered down a grin. 'That's sweet of him, I guess. Not too many guys are that...open about their feelings.'

'No, not many.' She agreed.

'Well, it was good seeing you. Maybe we can reschedule on catching up soon.' She smiled devilishly. 'Maybe go back to our original plan and head to a club?'

'Sounds...fine.'

Eliza flashed her a bright smile, but there was something flat in her eyes. A sort of dullness. Disappointment, maybe? 'Awesome. Well, I'll see you soon.'

Tamsin mumbled a quick goodbye and took off running again. It was only when she finally found Lina sitting in a booth in the cafeteria that she realised Eliza was wearing a coffee-coloured, cashmere sweater.

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