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“Hey, still away on your mission? Just wondering how you’re doing.”
I hope I don’t sound like a desperate stalker. But it’s strange to feel so distant from Noah. I’m used to him always being there for me, available to talk to anytime. Now, he’s not only physically distant but emotionally too, somehow. His replies are so short and impersonal. I sigh. Yeah well, what can I expect? He’s away on some mission and probably has more important things to do than write me long messages.
As I put down my phone, a message comes in.
“I’m back in town since yesterday. Mission complete. I just have a couple things to take care of. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”
I frown. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. I decide to ask him directly, hoping he’ll give me a straight answer.
“Noah, what’s up with you? You’ve been so strange lately. Did something happen?”
“All good,” he writes back. “Don’t worry. It’s just that we probably can’t see each other for a while.”
That sets off alarm bells. This is not like him. What’s he keeping from me?
“Since when do you have secrets with me?” I ask.
“Sorry, I can’t do this right now.”
That’s all he says, and then I don’t hear from him anymore. I feel angry and worried. But I know my hands are tied.
I need to calm down so I can figure out what to do next. My thoughts drift to Frida and her secrets. That makes me think of Charles and what Mom said about him. Frida liked Charles. Shewas in love with him.
It’s sad that she could never bring herself to tell him. But maybe that will help me find out more about her.
I go over to the dresser, pull out the bottom drawer, and take out the letters. I’m still hesitant. Is it right to pry into her private life?
But I can’t help feeling she left the letters behind for a reason. So I open one and begin to read.
Charles.
I’m writing this because I can’t bring myself to say the words in person. I waited a long time for you at the pier today. It’s become our place in a way – in my mind, anyway. Every time I’m there, I’m reminded of the happy times we spent together. Talking for hours, laughing, gazing at the sky, and telling each other about what really moves us.
It’s so different when I’m with you. Every time, I’m transported to another world without fighting, without Noctu. A life of freedom and endless opportunities.
I’ve grown so fond of you. You have no idea how much. But I can’t bring myself to tell you the truth. Do I even want to?
What if it changed things between us? I couldn’t bear that. But I have the sense that something between us has already shifted, which I don’t understand.
I really hoped you’d come today. I know you didn’t confirm. But I’ll be honest, I’m disappointed. Every time I heard a noise, I looked up in the hope that you would appear. In vain! Charles, what’s up with you lately?
You keep canceling on me or postponing. I don’t understand. We were so close – where has that gone? But maybe I’m just imagining things. You have a lot on your plate; you’ve told me that. I should just trust you. I’m sure everything will soon go back to the way it was. Even if there can’t be something morebetween us, I don’t want to lose my friend.
I miss you!
Frida
Frida’s words are so full of sorrow. I can feel her disappointment and pain, and I wonder what happened between her and Charles. He mentioned some incident and that they grew apart. I’m about to reach for the next letter when there’s a knock at my door.
“Come in,” I call.
Kate opens the door, and I put the letters aside.
“Hey! Feel like a movie and a snack?” she asks, holding up a bag of chips.
“Definitely,” I reply, putting my homework out of my mind.
Chapter 12
