ME:Great
HARPY:You’ve said that about every suggestion
ME:Because they’re all great
HARPY:Sending you my mood board - need final answer by midnight.
“Friday the thirteenth,” I mutter to the shadows.
Fuck.
My.
Life.
29
We’re meeting in the tunnels at lunchtime, but I’m heading down there early.
My need for some more Ludo one-on-one time isintense.
Even though I’m sure Lu doesn’t care a jot what I wear, I take a moment to pick out something special.
Hmm, yes. A mint-green tank, electric blue tights, then a pair of jean-shorts over the top. It’s stupidly cold outside, so I add a huge hot-pink fleece that Willow had been sent by an Aunt.
Wills is not a hot-pink kind of girl. I definitely am.
Spinning around in front of the mirror, I think it looks good, but not sexy enough. Swapping out the blue tights for some red fishnets does the trick.
I don’t wear heels, mainly because a) the only ones I own are part of my uniform b) they’re stupid.
Instead I pull on the new Uggs Dono bought me. He was worried my battered chucks weren’t keeping my toes warm enough.
After some eyeliner, and a tiny hint of sparkle on my cheeks, I head out.
My feet slow as I pass the sick bay.
The sparkle boost I’d got from Maximus has faded, but I’m still in there every day, trying to reach Wes.
I should be spending everysecondin there.
The thought is heavy.
I close my eyes for a second, feeling the chains of Lumina that bond me to Ludo and Donovan, to Alexis, to Max.
There’s even a very tiny, fragile thread that leads to Cosmo.
But not to Wes.
I love Wes, that hasn't changed, but currently he’s a ghost and I need something…vital.
Alive.
That’s why I’m pulled towards the basement. My love for Ludo restarts my footsteps.
I can’t save Wes if I’m a hollowed-out shell of guilt. I need the warmth of connection.
—I’ll be back later, Wes. Love you—
