Chapter 9
“Something’s off with you,” accuses Isabel, sitting down at her desk with a grunt. “You’re acting like a schoolgirl.”
“How so?” you counter, scandalized. Isabel giggles.
“Something in your walk, maybe?”
“Isabel, what the hell do you mean?” you ask, rolling your eyes. She’s right of course. It’s like you’ve been floating all morning, a million miles away from the humdrum of day-to-day life. You feel weightless, unmoored, adrift. You like the feeling.
Otto asked to meet you again after last night, and of course, you agreed. The connection you have is undeniable, irresistible. You were so eager to see him again that you asked to see him that very next night, and he obliged with a laugh. You wanted him to stay longer, to kiss you again, but you were too shy to ask. And so off he rode, into the silent night. You meant to ask him so much more, but hell, maybe it’s better he remains a little mysterious. Part of you doesn’t actually want to know what he’s done to deserve his reputation…
“Hello? Y/N?” calls Isabel, waving a hand in front of your face. “What on earth have you gotten yourself into?”
“I just didn’t sleep well last night, ok?” Well, that isn’t entirely a lie. Isabel arches an eyebrow.
“Who is he?”
“Isabel, seriously, there is no he!” you protest.
“Alright then, a she?”
“No she either! Just a me! Ugh, you’re the worst,” you complain, but you can’t entirely hide your grin, nor the blush that tickles your cheeks.
“Y/N! You HAVE to tell me,” whines Isabel, “I tell you everything! And now you finally have something going on and you won’t even-”
“You aren’t going to like him,” you sigh, resigned. You sit down in the front row of desks, letting out a breath.
“Oh my god, Y/N!” shrieks Isabel, leaping to her feet and grabbing your hands. “Finally!” You grin. As annoying as Isabel can be, and as disappointed as you know she will be… It still feels good to finally tell someone about Octavius.
“Ok, ok. So I first saw him at my dad’s bar, a few weeks ago.” Isabel’s eyes go as wide as dinner plates.
“No. Way.” You roll your eyes.
“And I thought he was cute, but you know my dad. So then, one day I went to the sheriff’s to talk to Bill, and there he was. So we talked, and Bill punched him in the face for talking to me.”
“Oh my god, you’re kidding!” laughs Isabel.
“Right? So I gave him my handkerchief, and then later that night I heard a knock on my window. It was him!”
“That’s so romantic,” sighs Isabel.
“He asked if he could see me again, and then last night I met him in the graveyard,” you explain. Isabel gasps.
“No way, that sounds so creepy. He could have easily kidnapped you!” she scolds.
“I know, but there’s just something about him, Isabel. Like, I know my father would literally kill me for talking to him, and I know he’s probably an outlaw, but…”
“....But you want him anyway, and no one else will do,” Isabel finishes the sentence. “Y/N, this is crazy.”
“I thought you’d say that-” you sigh.
“But!” she interrupts, “I think you should do it.”
“You do?” you cry, shocked.
“I do. I mean, that kind of connection… You’ve never felt it with anyone before! Who’s to say he’s not the one? He could be the love of your life, your soulmate! This is your chance to really live!” she urges. You sigh, the exhaustion of your sleepless night hitting you all at once.
“I don’t think it’s that easy,” you sigh, dropping your head down to the desk. “We can’t be together! My father would never allow it.”
“Screw. Your. Dad. Seriously, you have to chase this! It’s like Romeo and Juliet!” You laugh.
“Thanks, Isabel. I thought you’d be mad, but honestly, I feel a lot better having told you.”
“Of course you do!” she laughs. “So, when can I meet him?”