Let Me In The Walls || Etta + Thomas
Thomas was reading quietly in a big squishy armchair in the library. Not something for school, he had yet to take the plunge back into the classroom yet, just a book to keep his mind off his tumultuous week from hell and…other problems. The chair he occupied was in a perfect spot, near one of the big windows that let in the sunshine outside, yet partially hidden from the rest of the library—it was really only visible from the stairs that led to the second floor. There were other chairs in the alcove, but despite how crowded the rest of the place was, they remained empty. For once, he was thankful for his current status as a social pariah, the solitude did wonders for his temper.
He flipped another page, his speed reading abilities helping him breeze through Laurence Sterne’s A Sentimental Journey while still allowing him to enjoy it.
In my return back through the passage, I heard the same words repeated twice over; and, looking up, I saw it was a starling hung in a little cage. - “I can’t get out, - I can’t get out,” said the starling. I stood looking at the bird: and to every person who came through the passage it ran fluttering to the side towards which they approach’d it, with the same lamentation of its captivity. “I can’t get out,” said the starling. - God help thee! said I, but I’ll let thee out, cost what it will; so I turned about the cage to get to the door: it was twisted and double twisted so fast with wire, there was no getting it open without pulling the cage to pieces. - I took both hands to it. The bird flew to the place where I was attempting his deliverance, and thrusting his head through the trellis pressed his breast against it as if impatient. - I fear, poor creature! said I, I cannot set thee at liberty. - “No,” said the starling, - “I can’t get out - I can’t get out,” said the starling. I vow I never had my affections more tenderly awakened; nor do I remember an incident in my life-…
A flash of blonde in his peripheral vision caused him to look up from the starling’s plight, and he saw Etta making her way up the stairs to the second floor, a book clutched in her hand. He sighed quietly, just when he’d finally been able to get her out of his mind for a few minutes, there she was. Closing his book, he stood up smoothly, not quite sure what he was doing, but not willing to stop either. He walked as nonchalantly as he could across the floor of the library, to the stairs and jogged up them. Thomas had acted so quickly at seeing her, that she wasn’t very far in front of him. Feeling only slightly guilty about following her again, he walked slowly until she turned the corner and then jogged to follow. He peered around the stacks and saw her go towards a fireplace tucked near the back of the library and then, very impressively, open a secret door with a gentle touch to the mantle.
Thomas raised an eyebrow, but stayed hidden behind the stack until she had entered the room. The door remained open, perhaps because it was difficult to open from the inside, or perhaps just to keep the air fresh, but he saw it as an opportunity. He walked slowly to the fireplace, still not sure what he was doing, and peeked around the open door. The room was cozily lit by a few candles and Etta was already curled up on the couch reading.
Thomas smiled crookedly at her and leaned against the hidden door frame, “Well don’t you look cozy.”
Etta had barely gotten past the second page when a familiar voice startled her. Blue eyes shot toward the doorway. Leaning against the frame stood Thomas, accompanied by his signature lopsided grin. She wanted to kick herself. She often left the door partially open to keep the air from getting too stifling. It was rare that anyone ventured toward the seating area outside the room. It was a dark area and could get rather cold in the winter. Most preferred the sitting areas near windows where the sun could shine in. Leaving the door open had never been a problem for her. Until now that is.
Curiosity swept through her as she peered up at him. She hadn't seen him when she glanced around to make sure the coast was clear. Had she just missed him or did he come up after she'd entered the room? She wondered if he'd known she was in there when he entered the secret doorway. Regardless, she was curious as to why he'd decided to engage her directly. After their last two encounters, she was sure he'd be avoiding her just as much as Tessa seemed to be. And if she was honest, she was avoiding the twins herself, though both for different reasons. After seemingly long period of silent staring, Etta finally seemed to snap out of her thoughts and speak up. "What are you doing here?" There was a slight edge to her tone, but it was a bit forced and fell a bit flat.
