“Hey, Ren.” Jenkins nods his head in my direction. His greeting towards me throws me off. Jenkins and I are not friends. He despises me, and the feeling is mutual. His change in attitude has me frozen like a deer caught in headlights. I glance at his bandaged hand and swallow. I’m shocked to see him here at all, let alone speaking to Reed or me, for that matter. I allow myself to feel sympathetic towards him for only a brief moment before I’m reminded of why he earned the injury in the first place.
“Hi,” I grit out, avoiding his gaze. Hoisting myself up on my tiptoes, I press a kiss to Reed’s cheek and let him know I’m heading to my first lecture.
By the time I reach the lecture hall, I’m late and out of breath. My stomach sinks when I walk in and see Mauve, seated and already deep into her studies.Shit.I completely forgot about our coffee date.
She glances up at me, andhurt flashes across her features. I stood her up. She’s upset, and I can’t blame her one bit for feeling the way she does. So much has happened over the span of twenty-four hours. So much so that I can’t even confide in her, bound to the rules of the secret society.
Sauntering over to her table, I stand there, unsure whether or not I should take my usual seat next to her. She looks up at me without saying a word, waiting for whichever excuse will leave my lips.
“I’m so sorry, Mauve, I have no excuse. I’m a terrible friend, and you have every right to be angry.” My apology rolls out rapidly, rambling as if I can’t get the words out fast enough. Shepurses her lips, looking back down at her paper and continues scribbling the notes she had been taking.
“Was it because of him?” is all she asks, and I let loose a breath, knowing that this will not help in her feelings towards him.
“Yes,” is my only reply. I don’t want to lie to her. She deserves more than that. Mauve nods her head but doesn’t look up again, her silence filling the small space between us. I take my seat beside her, and in my peripheral vision, I see her body shift uncomfortably in her seat. Like being next to her is making her uneasy. She’s upset, and her feelings are valid. I should have been there when I said I would be, but acting physically bothered by my presence? It’s a tad over the top.
We don’t speak to each other for the remainder of the lecture. Careful not to bump elbows or look in each other’s direction. It’s an awful feeling when you’re on the outs in your friendship. It’s like there’s a wall built between us, and I have no one to blame but myself. A few times, I try to find the right thing to say, to whisper an apology—a plea for her to stop freezing me out. But it’s no use. The words do not come. Genuine friendships are harder to come by these days, and I might just be throwing away the realest one of all by my selfishness and lies. Sitting quietly, I focus on my studies, hoping that this day will just come to an end already.
MAUVE
The manor looms before me, the large estate drowning me in its shadows. The first time I visited, I saw it for the beautiful structurethat it was. It did not intimidate me or cause goosebumps to rise on my delicate skin. Yet here I stand, an uneasy feeling quelling in the pit of my stomach. I can’t explain it, but it feels as if someone is watching me. A presence hovering the area but unseen to the naked eye. Looking up to the adjacent doors, I steady my breath and muster up the courage to have a conversation with Ren, and hopefully clear the air. Things have been tense between us lately, leaving me feeling anxious every time we part, and I can’t bear it any longer.
Grabbing hold of the polished brass ring on the door, I pull it back and rap down three times. It takes only a moment for one of the doors to swing open, and I’m greeted by a face I’ve come to admire.
“Hey, Mr. Archie, how’s it goin’?” I ask, and I can almost see the lines of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth. I knew he liked me.
“Miss Mauve, what a delightful surprise. I’m afraid Miss Ren is indisposed at the moment. Shall I let her know you’ve come to call on her?”
“No, that’s alright, I’ll just catch her another time.” My face drops, the stress of it all creeping back in again. Archie stares at me a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he’s trying to read my thoughts, trying to figure me out.
“Is everything alright, Miss Mauve? If I may be so bold, you look a little distraught.”
I sigh and let my shoulders drop as tears threaten to escape my eyelids. Meeting his eyes, I shake my head and answer him honestly.
“No, Archie, not really. I’m worried about Ren.” His eyes are sympathetic as he nods his head.
“Would you like to join me for a cup of tea, Miss Mauve?” He stands aside and opens the door wider, inviting me in, and I nod, grateful for this man’s kindness.
Archie places a teacup and saucer in front of me before lifting a steaming teapot. He pours me a cup in silence, then settles in a seat across from me, clasping his hands together, posture as perfect as ever. Taking a sip, I let the steam calm my restless nerves before placing the cup down.
“Ren and I have been going through a bit of a drift in our friendship, it seems. She’s made friends with people who have questionable reputations. I’ve tried to express my concern to her, but it’s like she doesn’t want to hear it. She’s the first friend I’ve had who truly understands me. I miss her dearly, but I feel like this group—person—she spends most of her time with now will force our friendship into extinction. I’m worried for her safety, Archie.” That last confession comes out in a near whisper.
Archie purses his lips. He doesn’t rush to speak or dismiss my feelings, and it’s refreshing to have someone to talk to who just…listens. I pick up my teacup once again, hoping the hot liquid will continue to provide me comfort.
“The wonderful thing about friendships such as yours and Miss Ren’s is they are built to last over thousands of lifetimes. A true connection cannot be severed by anyone or anything in its path. You may have moments of uncertainty, but what belongs will always be in the end.”
Archie pauses for a moment as I let his words sink in.
“Do you think this is just a moment of uncertainty for us?” I ask. Archie nods, a soft smile lighting up his face.
“I do,” he replies. “Miss Ren is a Gravenhurst, after all. She may be stubborn as a mule, but she loves the people in her life fiercely. You are one of those people. She needs to follow herown path, even if it may be misguided. She will come to the right conclusion in the end. I have faith.”
I return his smile, suddenly feeling at ease. It’s just a moment. A moment that will pass, and she will be okay.Wewill be okay.
“Thanks for the talk, Arch. You’re alright, you know that?”
Archie chuckles and waves me off. “Glad to see you’re chipper again, Miss Mauve.”
TWENTY-SIX
