Page 104 of The Other Side of Green

My answer flew straight back.

Chasing you.

Remembering what he said about my door, and knowing I had to get ready quickly now he was waiting for me, I dropped my cell and stalked for the door, opening to find what seemed like the whole level sat on the floor outside, stretched out on the carpeted hallway.

“What on earth?” I asked Eva who had her legs halfway up the wall. “What are you doing on the floor? It’s disgusting.”

“We were listening to you.”

My stomach tightened. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb everyone.” I laughed but it rang off key. Loads of strange faces I hadn’t even taken the time to meet properly yet stared back at me.

“Who said you needed a muse?” Eva quirked an eyebrow and I shrugged.

“I guess I don’t.” I gave a half wave to everyone sat in the hallway. “Sorry, again.”

One girl with dark hair and freckles got up and shook out her legs. I had no clue what her name was. I hadn’t really tried this student thing very hard, had I?

“That was some wild shit. What were you playing?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, nothing really.”

“Sure as hell didn’t sound like nothing to me.” She turned back for her end of the corridor. “I’m Hailey. You should come for a drink with us all sometime, stranger.”

Drink…

“Shit, I’ve got to get ready for work.”

“Lyra works in Blue’s Bar in town. We could go there tonight instead of Finnegans?” Eva suggested.

Where the fuck was Finnegans?

“Sounds good,” Hailey answered before shutting the door in her room.

“Eva!” I scowled as we went back into her room. “What are you bringing everyone there for?”

“What’s the matter, Lyra?” She grinned wide. “Got something to hide?”

“Bitch,” I muttered and turned for the bathroom where I had approximately thirty seconds to make myself half decent. Jack was waiting. More than that, I was waiting for Jack. Electricity ran through me, my heart beating quick making me feel off center.

“I did mean what I said though, Lyra. That was amazing. I thought you needed a muse?” She quirked an eyebrow.

“Apparently not.”

I made for the bathroom door.

“Funny, I heard Mr. Cross was back from his personal leave today?”

“Eva,” I warned. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”

“No chance. I’m all for love against the odds. Should maybe tell him not to hide in the trees and stare up at your window though—might be seen as suspicious.”

“You saw him out there?”

She lifted her shoulders. “Sure, that’s how I knew you must be playing—either that or he really is a creepy, old man stalker.”

I snorted a laugh and wiped at my nose. “He isn’t.”

“Just saying, evidence says otherwise.”