There's an Invisible Man Sleeping in My Bed

Chapter 21

            For the fourth time that day, Thalia felt Colt’s hand close on hers. Rather than ignoring him again, this time she marched forward through the lunch-time student crush, not stopping until she reached the stair alcove farthest from the cafeteria. After checking to make sure no one was around, she turned to look at where she estimated Colt’s head was.

            “You need to stop,” she said.

            “Stop what?”

            “Grabbing on to me. It’s dangerous, especially in crowds, and it’s…odd,” Thalia replied, trying her best to express the complicated feelings she had about his new habit. On the one hand, it was uncomfortable and more than a little embarrassing, even if no one could see what he was doing. On the other…She felt her cheeks warm as she again came to the conclusion that she wasn’t entirely against Colt’s attentions. She supposed that because she was already well aware of his kissing prowess, that that was why she felt a tiny jolt every time he touched her. Her body had clearly become conditioned to equate his touch with feeling good.

            He dropped her hand and was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry. I saw other courting pairs holding each other this way and thought that was how it was done now.”

            Thalia felt her cheeks flare even hotter. “Yes, well, I suppose it’s what some people do. It’s just…I’m not really…This whole situation isn’t exactly normal. And… you just suddenly said yesterday that you were going to ‘court’ me and I’m not really sure what that means exactly and…if I’m ready for something of that nature. I mean, the fact you’re a ghost has been hard enough to accept.”

            “I’m not a ghost,” Colt snapped, then continued in his usual after a moment’s pause. “I spoke of courting you because your words made me realize my behaviour was unacceptable in any other context. I didn’t think it would be a problem.”

            She frowned slightly. “What did you think was going to happen?”

            “I don’t know. I didn’t really think about it. Kissing and courting go hand in hand. So if we’re doing one, we should be doing the other as well, don’t you think?”

            Wondering if she should be offended or not over Colt’s clear lack of consideration, Thalia shook her head. “I’m not sure that this is the best idea.”

            The frown in his voice was audible. “Why?”

            “Our current relationship is still new, and neither one of us has had this kind of dealing with a member of the opposite sex in…well ever for me, and from what you’ve said, several centuries for you.”

            “Then it will be a learning experience for both of us.”

            Thalia opened her mouth to protest, then closed it as she thought better of it. She poked at her idea, looking for any obvious flaws, before nodding. “As an experiment, it’s not one I’m entirely against. I…I want there to be clear limits. Like no more sneaking into my room at night. It makes you feel like a stalker or something.”

            “I can do that.”

            “Good. I think there should also be time where-”

            The rest of what she said was cut off by a voice from behind her asking “Who are you talking to?”

            She whirled around, her heart skidding to a stop before doubling in pace. Thalia felt Colt move quickly behind her, his hand gently brushing her arm to let her know. She didn’t even glance at him, her wide eyes on the boy in front of her as she frantically thought of an explanation. “Will! Sorry, you startled me. I was just…working through some ideas for…an experiment of mine.”

            Her cousin stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes unreadable. Then he smiled. “Only you. Sorry for startling you. I was walking by and heard your voice. I couldn’t figure out what you’d be doing down here during lunch so I came to investigate.”

            Thalia nodded, heart slowing a trifle. “What are you doing here?”

            He shrugged, eyes flicking down for a moment before resting on her shoulder. “Just…clearing my head.”

            She frowned, recognizing the sign. “You’re lying to me. Something bothering you, isn’t it?”

            William froze, gaze slowly rose to meet hers. “It’s nothing concrete.”

            “Tell me.”

            “It’s…It feels like someone’s watching me. Normally I can tell who’s doing it, and it’s generally someone looking for a fight. That’s fine. I’m used to it. But it’s been a couple of days now, and it’s not just at school I feel it. It’s like something invisible’s following me around.” Thalia flinched slightly at the word invisible, but her cousin’s eyes had fallen to his clenched fists so he didn’t notice.  “But I have no proof that it’s really happening, so I’ve been trying to catch whoever’s doing it.”

            Thalia put a hand on William’s shoulder, making him look up at her. “Why don’t I help you? I can look around at the same time you are so we’ll cover more ground.”

            “No!” he said, jerking away from her touch. “Absolutely not! I don’t know what this person wants and I’m not getting you involved in anything dangerous. Last week was bad enough. I’m not letting something like that happen again!”

            “This sounds serious, Will. I want to help.”

            “No. I’ll handle it,” he replied. Seeing her expression, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look, if I can’t find whoever it is soon, I’ll get you and Ruth to help come up with a plan. The two of you together make one unbeatable evil genius. Alright?”

            She sighed as well, nodding. “Alright.”

            William smiled. “Well, since that’s settled, we should go to lunch. I’m sure Ruth is either glaring at everyone or doing something outrageous without you there to keep an eye on her.”

            Thalia shook her head, following him back out into the hall, only glancing back at where she guessed Colt was once. She hoped he would wait until they got home before continuing their conversation.