21

Alayna

Thursday 8th February, Year 825

The clock read seventeen minutes past two in the morning… I swore it was going backwards. My mind was far too full for sleep.

Parasite.

The word swam around in my head, infecting my thoughts. Marco wasn't exactly wrong. I used him in the hopes I could curry favour at college; I had fooled around with his brother while he was still expecting a second date; not to mention I openly accepted affection and gifts from Tiv; I humiliated Marco in front of a crowd of people; screamed at him on the phone afterwards then, in our latest phone exchange, coldly told him to return the phone to Tiv after his mum had died. I had no doubt caused friction between the two of them. I'd wormed my way into their family and messed everything up. So yeah, maybe Marco wasn't exactly wrong.

The phone buzzed and I fumbled to answer it. Unrecognised number. Thankfully, it was not Marco.

"Hello," I whispered.

"Sorry if I've woken you," Tiv muttered.

"Don't worry I was up. Are you okay? I'm so sorry for ringing before. I never thought about Marco," I rambled.

"Calm down. It's not your job to worry about Marco. He is a despicable excuse for a human being."

Tiv didn't sound right. His speech was slurred. Ah crap.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I've been better I suppose," he chuckled darkly, "Is my Father still there?"

I got the impression he was not up to talking about his mum so I didn't press it.

"Didn't hear him leave but the house is quiet now so he might have done. Or maybe he crashed here. He doesn't strike me as the type to crash on a sofa though. I'll check if you want?" I asked.

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"No, don't concern yourself with it. I was simply curious," he replied stoically. "And don't worry about Marco. He is an arse and for the record, I don't agree with any of the bile he was spewing."

Strange relief flooded through me. I wasn't aware I had been worried about it until he mentioned it.

"What happened after I came off the phone?" I enquired nervously.

"I defended your honour," he laughed sarcastically.

"Tiv! What happened?" My gasp almost came out as a screech.

"Nothing Aly, calm down. We got in a bit of a brawl. He came off worse apparently," he said.

"What the fuck does that mean?" I half shouted.

"Nothing," he muttered shortly then briskly changed the subject, "Listen I need to see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, 'course but… shouldn't you be spending time with your family?" I asked.

"It's part of my Mother's heritage that she is returned to her home town for her burial. This means I'll be going to Lambent for a little while. I'm not sure how long I will be gone," he said flatly. "I want to see you as much as I am able before I leave."

"Okay… I'll meet you in the meadow?" I suggested.

"Yes, is eleven alright?"

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Listen, I'm going to have to go, Marco broke my phone so I am ringing off the manor phone. That's why it took me so long to call; I could not remember where I had written down your number. I just wanted to check if you were alright. Thank you for calling today. It really means a lot."

The fact he wanted to check I was alright on the night his mum had died cemented more than ever that he was just as gorgeous on the inside as he was on the outside. The thought brought a smile to my lips.

"I'd do anything for you. Thanks for the phone."

"I knew you would come around. I'm always right," he chuckled.

"Don't get too cocky!" I couldn't suppress the giggle.

"You're bloody beautiful," he slurred.

"You're bloody drunk," I laughed.

"Stuff can be two things."

Fucking hells, he was out of it.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I promised, not wanting to put the phone down. "Don't forget."

"Not about you. Never about you. Goodnight, darling," he muttered before the line went dead.

Warmth bloomed in my chest, but it couldn't chase away the twisting in my gut. I stared at the dark ceiling, tracing patterns in the shadows. My finger paused mid-air as Marco's accusation echoed in my head, "parasite."

I shook my head. The word felt like a stone in my stomach. I'd taken Tiv's kindness and repaid it with trouble, drawing him into a fight with his own brother. And for what? Because I couldn't keep my temper or my stupid mouth shut? What did that say about me? But Tiv's voice played on repeat in my mind, soothing my self-inflicted wounds. How could someone so golden want anything to do with a scab like me? Maybe he saw past all that—a glimmer of something worthwhile beneath the grime.

With a sigh, I leaned against the cold windowpane. No stars, only grey.

At least Tiv would see the stars in Lambent soon.