Strings of Fate

77- Letters and learning

Now why would he specifically bring that up. Is he implying that he touched my other drawers? I said he could, so why did he bring it up? Curiosity is enough to force me out of bed. I open

nen my Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

y dresser and it takes a minute for my mind to understand. Did Bellamy… re- fold all my clothes? Everything I own is stacked in neatly folded piles. Far tidier than any folding I bother with. I check the next drawer and find the same thing. My top drawer has a pile on the left that clearly belongs to Bellamy. I guess he made space and… re–organised my dresser? Huh, was it really that bad or is he just a little OCD? I open my bottom drawer and as promised, it’s just as messy as ever. Well, at least I know he didn’t go through that one, although I now feel like I need to sort it nicely to make it match the rest. Maybe I’ll do that later. Impulsively, I grab my phone and call Bellamy. He answers quickly.

“Good morning.” I notice his tone is more restrained than normal. I can hear voices in the background.

“Hi, wait, are you in a meeting right now?” I demand.

“Yes.” He answers simply.

“Then why did you answer?!”

“Because you called.” I’m stumped for a second, then I remember that Bellamy is actually.

busy.

“Okay well… this is me checking in, and you are weirdly tidy. Have a nice day.” Before he can respond I end the call. I can’t believe he took my call in the middle of a meeting. I’d understand if I had been

repeatedly calling or if my alarm went off or something, but he had to know I was just waking up. A text message comes through.

Bellamy- Thanks for checking in. And I guess I just wanted to do something nice for you, if that makes me weirdly tidy then so be it.

Ryann- I’m not sure if it’s weird or not. But it is nice. I’m gonna go get ready for work now. Sorry for interrupting your meeting. Also stop texting during meetings, it’s rude.

77- Letters and learning

Bellamy- Never be sorry for calling me.

Bellamy- I can text during meetings if I want. Who is going to stop me?

Ryann- Rolling my eyes at you. I’m going to be busy now. Bye.

I drop my phone so I won’t be tempted to keep distracting Bellamy, I quickly shower and get dressed for the day so that I’ll be ready when Aaron shows up. I head out to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and notice a slip of paper under my front door. Weird. I grab it and unfold it. It’s a typed out letter.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. THIS ISN’T OVER.

What the hell? I run back to my room and grab my phone. My first instinct is to call Bellamy, my finger is hovering over the call button when I hesitate. If I show Bellamy this letter he’s going to go insane. I just know it. He will probably try and drag me to his place and lock me in. I’ll be back to twenty four hour guards and no privacy. I fought so hard for this, I’m not willing to give it up over some stupid note. I open the security app and go back over the camera recordings. I eventually find that someone hand delivered the letter at around five am. I can’t really make out anything about them though. They’re

wearing all black, not particularly tall or short and other than that I can’t see anything. I suspect they might be using an illusion charm or something because even when the camera should clearly show the person’s face I can’t see anything. If that’s the case, even the Shifter’s sensitive noses won’t be of any use in hunting for clues. All they’re going to smell is magic. I really don’t know what to do. I know I SHOULD tell Bellamy, but I really think my current security arrangement. is plenty. It’s not like the unknown person made it into my house. Bellamy was here last. night and they still delivered the letter. As long as it’s just a letter it’s not like it’s any more of a threat than he’s already expecting. What I really want to know is what the sender means by ‘I know what you did.‘ What are they referring to? I’d like to know what exactly I did that inspired them to send me weird warning letters. I can’t think of anything particularly problematic. I mean, as a teenager I made the mistake of telling a few people about their ties. and accidentally broke up a couple. The girl harassed me for the rest of high school, blaming me for the end of her relationship. I did feel really bad about it, but I don’t think it was worth all the trouble she put me through. But surely it can’t be anything like that. The only threads I’ve revealed lately are my own and Megan’s. Sure I broke her and Tristan up, but he’s dead so it’s not likely he’s writing me angry letters. I guess it’s more likely something to do with Bellamy. Maybe they’re implying they know about my relationship with him? If that’s the case, I really don’t want to tell him. He feels guilty enough that I have to deal with all the

77- Letters and learning

extras that come with dating him. He doesn’t need more stress on top of that. Yes, I think it’s for the best that I keep this to myself for now. It’s just a

note. If it becomes a problem or anything else happens then I’ll tell Bellamy I promise myself, ignoring the hint of guilt.

I hide the note in my underwear drawer. Mostly because that’s the one place I’ve already told Bellamy to stay away from so I shouldn’t need to awkwardly keep him away from something. I could destroy the note, but I’m not that dumb. If the problem continues then I’m going to need the note as evidence. But I

don’t think it’s likely. Anyone who sends anonymous notes has to be a coward. I’ll probably never hear from them again. A knock at my door tells me that Aaron has arrived. I didn’t realise it had gotten so late. I literally run to answer the door. I’m a little breathless when I swing it open.

“Morning Aaron!” I greet him cheerfully. He raises an eyebrow at me and I just shrug.

“I didn’t want to keep you waiting. Ready for food? Bellamy and I went to this nice bakery the other day, I was thinking we could stop off there if that’s alright?” I chatter away as I grab my stuff, trying to act normal. Except now that I’m trying to behave like I usually do, I can’t quite remember what that actually is. Hopefully he doesn’t notice how awkward I am. Or just attributes it to something else.

Brunch with Aaron is once again, very quiet. I start asking him yes or no questions so that he will at least nod or shake his head in response. At least that way I feel like it’s a two conversation.

way

“Did you have a nice evening Aaron?” He nods.

“Great, I did too. Bellamy and I made dinner together. Do you cook?” Another nod.

“Oh really? Maybe you can give me some pointers sometime. I think I need more practice. I fell asleep so fast last night. Usually I watch a movie or something. Do you watch TV much?” A small shake of the head.

“No? What do you do for fun? I bet I can guess. Uhhhm. Read?” He shrugs.

“Okay, exercise? Do you run or something?” another shrug. So he probably does but maybe not for fun as much as fitness.

77- Letters and learning

“What about music? I can’t imagine you singing, but do you listen to music?” Another shrug but this one is slower, more like he’s considered it. So music is a maybe. I spend a bit longer

interrogating Aaron between mouthfuls of food and decide that the man is an absolute. workaholic.