Page 22 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

“It’s me,” Priya called through.

Trying not to sigh, I slumped back in my chair—which took up most of the narrow space in what used to be a storage cupboard. The tiny plants Priya had optimistically placed on my desk looked as droopy as I felt. I kept forgetting to water them. “Come in.”

Although I was tired, I could manage Priya. She was my second favourite unexpected visitor, right after Flynn.

“What’s up?” I asked warily—I didn’t really want to turn my computers back on. “I was just heading out…”

The worry must have shown on my face because she held up both hands in a calming gesture.

“It’ll only take a second. Do you remember last Christmas Eve, when we had that party?”

I blinked at her. Of all the things I’d expected her to say, that wasn’t one of them. “Um… sure?”

“Of course you do, you were the only well-behaved one in front of Emma.”

“Thanks.”

“Anyway, when you came into work after Christmas, was there something on your desk?”

I stared at her. Was this some elaborate prank? Had Rory put her up to this?

“A gift? Wrapped up?”

The memory clicked into place like a puzzle piece sliding home.

“Oh! Yes!” Realisation slowly dawned on me. “Oh, crap. Was that from you? The blue light glasses? I’m so sorry I didn’t say thank you. I thought it was from Seb! Like, he’d got everyone a Christmas bonus gift or something.”

“It wasn’t from Seb.”

How was I supposed to know that?! “Right. Sorry… again. That was really nice of you. I just didn’t know we were doing presents. I’ll be prepared this year.”

“Why haven’t you worn them?”

I cringed, already knowing how this would sound. “So… I still have them in a drawer, but if you look it up, you’ll see that research shows that blue light glasses are just a gimmick and do nothing at all to help… and my eyes are actually pretty good despite my staring at screens all day…”

Priya stepped forward and grabbed my arm. Her fingers held firm. Insistent. “Felix, I’m sorry to tell you this, but you really need to wear those glasses.”

I tried not to yank my arm away. I wasn’t the biggest fan of physical contact, even from people I liked. Priya knew that. She must have been seriously concerned about me. “What? Why?”

“I’ve seen it. In the tea leaves. That it’s super important you wear those glasses.”

“Oh. What will happen if I don’t?”

Her grip tightened. “Bad things, Felix. Seriously bad things.”

The certainty in her voice sent ice down my spine. Priya never joked about her tea leaves. Never.

“Okay!” I said, desperate for her to release my arm. “I’ll wear them from tomorrow. If I remember.”

“You must remember. But tomorrow is great.”

“Okay! Can I go now? I have to go home for dinner this evening!”

Priya’s grip loosened, and her familiar grin spread across her face. “Sure! See you tomorrow!”

Before I could reply, she was gone, leaving me alone in my cupboard.

Strange.