This class is for writers, she said. For people who are willing to set aside their fears and move past distractions.
I love you allI do but if youre going to waste your time, Im not going to waste mine. She stopped at Nicks desk and smiled at him. Okay? she said only to him.
Nick nodded. Cath looked down at her desk.
* * *
She hadnt washed her sheets, but there wasnt any Levi left in them.
Cath pushed her face into her pillow as nonchalantly as she could, even though there was no one else in the room to judge her for it.
Her pillowcase smelled like a dirty pillowcase. And a little bit like Tostitos.
Cath closed her eyes and imagined Levi lying next to her, his legs touching and crossing hers. She remembered the way her throat had rasped that night and the way hed put his arm around her, like he wanted to hold her up, like he wanted to make everything easy for her.
She remembered his flannel shirt. And his needy, pink mouth. And how she hadnt spent nearly enough time with her fingers in the back of his hair.
And then she was crying and her nose was running. She wiped it on her pillow because, at this point, what did it matter?
Simon ran as fast as he could. Faster. Casting spells on his feet and legs, casting spells on the branches and stones in his path.
He could already be too lateat first he thought he was, when he saw Agatha lying in a heap on the forest floor. But it was a trembling heap. Agatha may be frightened, but she was still whole.
Baz was kneeling over her and trembling just as hard. His hair hung forward in a way he normally wouldnt allow, and his pale skin glowed oddly in the moonlight, like the inside of a shell. Simon wondered for a moment why Agatha wasnt trying to escape. She must be dazed, he thought. Vampires could do that, couldnt they?
Go. Away, Baz hissed.
Baz, Simon said, holding his hand out.
Dont look at me.
Simon avoided Bazs eyes, but he didnt look away. Im not afraid of you, Simon said.
You should be. I could kill you both. Her first, then you, before youd even realized I was doing it. Im so fast, Simon. His voice broke on the last two words.
I know.
And so strong
I know.
And so thirsty .
Simons voice was almost a whisper. I know.
Bazs shoulders shook. Agatha started to sit upshe must be recovering. Simon looked at her gravely and shook his head. He took another step toward them. He was close now. In Bazs reach.
Im not afraid of you, Baz.
Why not ? Baz whined. It was an animal whine. Wounded.
Because I know you. And I know you wouldnt hurt me. Simon held out his hand and gently pushed back the errant lock of black hair. Bazs head tilted up with the touch, his fangs popped and gleaming. Youre so strong, Baz.
Baz reached for him then, clutching Simon around the waist and pressing his face into his stomach.
Agatha slid out from between them and ran toward the fortress. Simon held Baz by the back of his neck and curved his body over him. I know, Simon said. I know everything.
from Carry On, Simon, posted February 2011 by FanFixx.net author Magicath
EIGHTEEN
Do you just hang out here now? Nick pushed his library cart to her table.
Just trying to write, Cath said, closing her laptop before he started peeking at her screen.
Working on your final project? He slipped into the chair beside her and tried to open the computer. She laid her arm on top of it. Have you settled on a direction yet? he asked.
Yep, Cath said. Lots of them.
He frowned for a second, then shook his head. Im not worried about you. You can write ten thousand words in your sleep.
She practically could. Shed written ten thousand words of Carry On in one night before. Her wrists had really hurt the next day. What about you? she asked. Done?
Almost. Well I have an idea. He smiled at her. It was one of those smiles that made her think he might be flirting.
Smiling is confusing, she thought. This is why I dont do it.
I think Im going to turn in my anti-love story. He raised his Muppet eyebrows and stretched his top lip across his teeth.
Cath felt her mouth hanging open and closed it. The story? Like the story weve been working on?
Yeah, Nick said excitedly, raising his eyebrows high again. I mean, at first I thought it was too frivolous. A short story is supposed to be about something. But its like you always say, its about two people falling in lovewhat could be bigger than that? And weve workshopped it enough, I think its ready. He pushed his elbow into hers and tapped his front teeth with the tip of his tongue. He was watching her eyes. So what do you think? Its a good idea, right?
Cath snapped her mouth shut again. Its its just that She looked down at the table, where the notebook usually sat. We worked on it together.
Cath, he said. Like he was disappointed in her. What are you trying to say?
Well, youre calling it your story.
You call it that, he said, cutting her off. Youre always saying that you feel more like an editor than a cowriter.
I was teasing you.
Are you teasing me now? I cant tell.