29- Don't touch things that aren't yours , even if they're shiny . the hole . I still can't A humming sound ? No , that isn't right . A rumbling ? No , that isn't quite right either . It's more of a ... Purring . Is the creature purring ? Cautiously , I peer into see anything , but nothing comes out to grab me either . " Are ... Are you hungry ? " I ask nervously . The purring sound gets louder . " Oh ... Well ... I don't have anything else for you right now . But if you like I can probably give more empty bottles tomorrow , leftovers too if we have them . " I offer before I can even think about it . What am I doing ? Promising to feed the thing ? I haven't finished mentally yelling at myself when there's movement from the hole in the ground . A shadowy limb emerges . There's a light clinking sound and the shadow retreats again leaving behind something shiny . " Is ... Is that for me ? " I ask warily . The purring starts up again . " Oh .. Okay . Thanks . " I scramble forward and grab the shiny thing . It's a coin . But not a normal coin . I can only describe it as a pirate coin . Like the exact kind of coin you would expect to see pirates killing each other for in a movie . It's gold and very shiny with some kind of symbol engraved on it . I can't really tell what . I don't have a pocket , so I slip the coin into my bra . " Right ... Well I want to finish mopping the floor . Is it alright if I close the trap door now ? I don't want to slip and fall down into ... Your room . Hey if you live here , I guess that makes us housemates , yeah ? " I randomly add . Okay , I think I'm rambling . I hold my breath waiting for the creature to respond . It continues to purr loudly , then in a slow movement , it reaches out , grabs the trap door and pulls it closed over itself . The room falls silent again . " Well ... Alright then . " I mutter to myself , then I pull myself to my feet and finish mopping , because what else am I going to do ? 11-1 ww Once the place is cleaned to perfection , I carefully return the non - slip mats back to their places and head back to my room . I change into comfortable pyjamas and spend a few minutes staring at the shiny coin . I should put it away , but something about it makes me want to keep it close . Eventually I get tired and want to go to sleep . So I shrug , place the coin under my pillow , close my eyes and pass out . 29 OD ل [ I ] Г 1/3 11:21 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 29 - Don't touch things that aren't yours , even if they're shiny . This time , I wake up to a loud knock on my door . Torin usually knocks firmly , but not quite so aggressively . I hop out of bed and see who it is . Kyle , I should have known . He thrusts a plate of pancakes covered in syrup into my arms . " Here . You need breakfast food occasionally too . " He grumbles . The pancakes look and smell amazing . I beam a smile at him . " Thanks Kyle , you're a sweetheart . " I tell him enthusiastically . His response is an expression of disgust . But underneath it I can see that his cheeks are blushing just slightly pink . Ooh , he's embarrassed . I can't resist the desire to tease him . " I mean it . Not just a sweetheart , you're a total catch . One hundred percent husband material . You should totally get married , you would be great at it . I can picture it now , you and your lovely wife , you bringing her breakfast in bed . It would be adorable . Oh , but first you need a wedding . I'll be your best man obviously , I could be the maid of honour too and just take on both roles , unless Torin wants to get involved ? Wait , I bet he could be the officiant . That would be hilarious . Now you just need a bride . We should see if Laura wants to volunteer . " I smirk at him as Kyle turns increasingly red in the face . He looks completely flustered and his mouth is hanging open like he wants to say something but can't find the words . " We should see if Laura wants to volunteer for what ? " Laura's cheerful voice rings down the hallway . I peer out the doorway to see her coming in through the back door . For half a second I'm horrified that I've messed up and completely humiliated Kyle , but her curiosity seems genuine . She must have only caught my last few words . " We should see if you want to volunteer to keep me company at some point . We have to have a night off eventually , right ? We could have a girls night . We could get drunk and then watch a movie or something . I mean , I sleep right next to an actual bar , we wouldn't even have to stumble home drunk , it's perfect . " I tell her with an excess of enthusiasm . At first I was just making a random suggestion to distract from my near screw up with Kyle , but now I'm actually keen on the idea . Laura absolutely lights up as she rushes down the hallway . She practically elbows Kyle out of the way . " Really ? You would want to do that ? I'd love to ! I was hoping we could be friends , but I wasn't sure if you wanted that after I cast that spell to trap you here and everything . Some people tell me that I can be a little much , I've been trying to give you a bit of space . " She says all in one breath . I smile at her . 29 ل 2/3 O < 11:21 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 29 - Don't touch things that aren't yours , even if they're shiny . " I think I'd like to be friends with you . Plus I could definitely use a little girl talk . " I add . Okay , actually the girl talk is for her . I need to work out if she's aware of Kyle's interest in her . And maybe a little bit for me . I haven't really done the whole girl's night thing before . I've always had my brother around , and then when I moved out on my own I was so focussed on earning enough to make ends meet that I didn't even think about making friends and socialising . It might be nice to have a friend who understands what it's like to have satan start redecorating inside your uterus every few weeks . While I talk to Laura about potential girl's night activities , Kyle subtly sneaks away , but he only makes it a few steps before Laura stops him . " Oh wait , Kyle . If we have a girl's night , would you make us a snack ? Something with chocolate ? You don't have to , we could buy something . But it wouldn't be as good . Pretty please ? " Laura bats her eyelashes at him and I can practically see his soul leave his body . Kyle grunts out a sound that Laura seems to take as some kind of agreement because she squeals excitedly and claps her hands happily as Kyle retreats to his safe haven , the kitchen . Laura takes a seat on the recliner in my room while I sit on the bed and happily eat my pancakes , nodding along as she continues talking about this girl's night that I came up with on a whim . She's already planning to figure out the schedule . Apparently every night usually Laura or I will be working , but Catcher , who I have yet to meet , is a part time worker here who can cover for a night . I get the impression that Laura is a bit of a workaholic . I'm fairly sure that she's here every day . I mean , so am I. But that's different . I have no intention of working every night . That's for sure . I think I'm meant to have tomorrow night off actually based on the discussion Torin and I had when I gave him my bank details . I don't know what I'll actually DO all night . Hang out in the bar I guess ? More online shopping ? Damn , I'm becoming a shut in . At least I can talk to people at the bar , right ? Chapter Comments