Page 147 of Seeds of Betrayal
The next day,we decide to head to campus together for the first day of classes. It’s the boys’ final year, not that they feel sentimental about it at all. Whereas Alex and I both cried last night at the idea that our boyfriends won’t be at UMS after this year.
“Ready?” Alfie’s hand finds mine as we approach the humanities building.
“For the grand mural reveal?” I squeeze his fingers. “I still can’t believe you wouldn’t let me see the final touches.”
“Some things are worth waiting for, Tink.”
The whole gang’s already there - Alex perched on Freddie’s shoulders taking photos “For the aesthetic!” she insists, while Ethan tries to convince Troy that the original anatomically correct graffiti was “basically art.” And “no better than what you’d see in a modern art museum.”
I round the corner and stop dead. The mural is breathtaking - wildflowers dancing across the wall in shades of pink and purple, and rising from the blooms, butterflies that look ready to take flight.
“You remembered. The butterflies…” I whisper to Alfie.
“Hard to forget anything about you, Tink.”
“Oh god, they’re doing that thing again.” Ethan groans. “The mushy staring.”
“Let them be mushy,” Alex calls down from her Freddie-perch. “It’s cute!”
“It’s weird is what it is,” Troy says, but he’s grinning. “My best friend and my little sister. Still trying to wrap my head around that one.”
“Better than when you caught them making out in the kitchen.” Ethan offers helpfully.
Troy’s face darkens. “We agreed no make out zones in the house except in your own rooms. Which, unfortunately, I can’t police but I would if I could.”
“Speaking of making out,” Alex interrupts, “Freddie,put me down so I can kiss you properly. We have lost time to make up for,”
“I missed you so much.” Freddie reminds her, helping her down with ridiculous gentleness.
“God, I’m surrounded by disgusting couples.” Troy groans. “Even the mural’s romantic. I’ve only got Ethan left for actual fun and he’s basically with Paige now.”
“We are not official yet. And! Excuse you, I am a delight,” Ethan protests. “But yeah bro, you’re next. Mark my words - some girl’s gonna come along and turn you into a poetry-writing sap just like the rest of these losers.”
“Please”—Troy scoffs—“I’m immune.”
“That’s what they all say,” I sing-song. “Remember when Freddie and Alex were just friends?”
“I maintain I was temporarily insane,” Freddie says, pulling Alex closer. “Clearly your fault.”
“Gross.” Troy and Ethan say in unison.
“Just wait. I heard you’re the most eligible bachelor now that Alfie’s taken, Troy...” Alex grins wickedly.
“Excuse you?” Ethan pipes in.
“Nope!” Troy covers his ears. “Not listening. Come on, Ethan. Let’s go to Moe’s later and get fucked up, where people still know how to act normal.”
“First round’s on me,” Ethan announces. “In honor of Troy’s last days of freedom before he inevitably falls in love and becomes unbearable.”
As our friends head off, still debating Troy’s romantic future, I linger with Alfie.
“The butterflies are perfect,” I tell him softly. “Even though you said you couldn’t draw them.”
“Hm, only for you.” He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple.
The sun catches the metallic paint, making the butterflies shimmer. Behind us, I can hear Alex laughing at something Freddie said, Troy protesting Ethan’s dramatic reading of an imaginary love poem he’ll supposedly write someday.
Falling in love isn’t so bad. Even if your brother does make gagging noises every time you kiss his best friend.
