Strings of Fate

145- Menus and mischief

Harry sends through the address of a bar slash pub type of place and tells me that he will be there at six. I pass the information on to Bellamy and Megan and she contacts Darrien. Megan then insists on dragging me upstairs and picking out something cute to wear to dinner. When I object, she reminds me that it’s not like she’s getting to go out much lately and to let her have this. I give in. I know when to pick my battles and this one isn’t worth the energy. If she wants to pick out my clothes and put my hair in some overly complicated twin braids, then I’m happy enough to go along with her. I have to reluctantl

admit that it is kind. of fun. I do find myself about ready to poke Megan with a stick though when she rejects five outfits for herself in a row.

“Is there a reason that you’re freaking out and have suddenly become completely incapable of picking so much as a pair of pants?” I demand, hands on my hips. We’re literally just going to a pub with friends, I’ve never seen her struggle so much before. Megan groans and collapses

into her bed.

“You’re no help!” She complains.

“I don’t know what you’re looking for! What’s wrong with that green dress?” I answer in

exasperation.

‘Sorry, I just… Darrien is coming… and. Ugh.” She buries her face in a pillow. Darrien? She sees him basically every day. He has probably seen just about every outfit she owns and he’s seen her looking like an absolute mess. Why is she so stressed about it now?

“Why is Darrien a problem?” I ask.

“Because he knows too much.” She answers darkly, sitting up and staring at me.

“How so?” I persist.

“Well… He knows how I dress. So if I dress too nice, he’s going to think it’s for him, but if I

don’t put in any effort, he’s going to think something is wrong or that I’m trying to

discourage him. Ugh, now all my clothes are just wrong!” She explains.

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145- Menus and mischief

“So you’re worried that he’s going to think you’re dressing for him?” I ask.

“Pretty much.” She sighs.

“Aren’t you?”

“Aren’t I what?”

“Dressing for him? I mean, if you weren’t you wouldn’t be thinking about it so much.” I point out. Megan frowns.

“Huh, I guess you’re right. Not that it helps me decide what to wear…” She lays back on the bed again and stares at the ceiling.

“Well, what do you want him to think of you?” I reason. She considers for a minute.

“I want him to think I’m okay. Like, that I’m not all broken and traumatised from Tristain and that I’m capable of pulling myself together and moving on.” She.sums up.

“And is that the truth?” I question.

அ

“Yeah, or at least I WANT it to be the truth. Is that the same thing?” She asks, almost meekly. It’s very different from her usual confident, brash attitude.

“Close enough. In that case, wear your green dress. It makes your gold eyes look stunning and your waist look tiny. I can promise that he cares less about your wearing and more about if you look happy wearing it. Seriously, he’s pretty obsessed with you.” I admit. Megan blushes.

“I- I… okay. If you say so.” She answers shyly before hopping up and pulling on the emerald

green dress. Hey, I think I’m getting better at this girl talk thing?

At six on the dot Bellamy, Darrien, Megan and I walk into a place called ‘Witches Booze‘. It looks like a kind of combination of a bar and pub. Like it mostly seems like a place for drinking, but also food is an option. The music is pretty good and the place is definitely decorated in a very Witchy theme, but somehow it looks quirky and cool rather than cheezy. I

immediately love the place.

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145- Menus and mischief

“You know, I was a little concerned that we were letting Harry pick the place, but this actually looks pretty cool.” Megan comments. Darrien nods his agreement and even Bellamy seems pretty impressed.

“Glad to hear you have so little faith in me.” Harry remarks dryly from behind us. Megan whirls around with a yelp.

“Harry?” She asks awkwardly. Oh yeah, she’s never actually met him in person before. I keep forgetting. It sometimes feels like we’ve all known each other for much longer than we really have.

“The one and only gorgeous. I assume you are the lovely Megan?” He says with a wink and she giggles. Darrien’s expression is stormy and I can’t help but giggle.

“Hey Harry!” I greet him.

from

“Hey Ry!” He imitates my pitch and tone, then immediately drags me out of Bellamy’s arms and into a one armed hug. I laugh and hug him back before stepping away and back to Bellamy’s side. I take his hand and squeeze it to soothe his jealous side and he gives me a half smile. Harry smirks. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He might be interested in someone right now, but he’s still an Incubus and he likes causing trouble. As I step away

Harry I realise something that I had somehow missed before. In all the strings around us, mine to Bellamy and Megan, Megan and Darrien’s and of course all the other ones in the place, I didn’t immediately see the bright red thread streaming straight from Harry’s chest. Okay, I’m always curious about who people are fated to, but I am especially excited to see who the flirtatious, mischievous Incubus is meant for. I follow the string with my eyes, trying

to look around casually. I don’t want it to be super obvious. I don’t usually have to worry about that, but since I’m with a whole group of people who know about my magic and pay a lot of attention to me, I want to be a little more cautious. I can’t see the end of the string, but I’m pretty sure it leads up towards the bar. At least I know it’s someone in the place, otherwise I would have to convince Bellamy to go for a walk with me so we could follow the string. I can see that the string is solid, so whoever it is, Harry

has met them before. I have my suspicions of who it might be and I can’t wait to find out if I’m right. Harry dramatically sweeps out an arm, gesturing for us to follow him. He takes us to a comfortable looking booth. that has enough space for about six people, maybe more if they’re comfortable sitting close to each other. Or if they’re small people I guess. Either way, it’s plenty of space for the five of us to sit comfortably. We settle in with Bellamy and I next to each other up against the wall. Harry is on the side to my right and Megan and Darrien are on Bellamy’s left across from

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145- Menus and mischief

Harry. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Harry grabbed us menus on our way to the seats and he distributes them among us and makes recommendations about the food. He continues as he usually does, flirting and joking with Megan and I while teasing the guys.

“So Megan, you’re still single right? You should come sit next to me.” He says with a wink. Darrien and Bellamy both look murderous. I roll my eyes and slap Harry on the shoulder.

e even eaten yet. The guys will get

“She’s not for you Harry. Don’t cause trouble before we’ve even eaten yet. The

cranky.” I remind him.

“Oh fine, fine. I’ll behave myself. Just for you.” He says with a smirk. I shuffle over in the seat to lean into Bellamy who has his arm back on the seat behind me. Bellamy smirks back as he drops his hand so it brushes my shoulder. Well, at least this is going better than last time. Bellamy and Harry interacted?

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