The following morning began with a scream.
Not a startled yelp.
Not a shout.
A full-blown, blood-curdling scream that echoed through the boarding house and sent doors flying open all along the corridor.
I dropped the hairbrush I’d been using and rushed into the hallway just as Nelly burst from her room opposite mine.
“What was that?” she asked, eyes wide.
Peter appeared moments later, still pulling a hoodie over his head.
“Either someone’s dying…” he yawned, “…or Tony’s discovered someone ignored one of his rules.
“Another yell echoed through the building.
“It came from Jace’s room!” I said.
The three of us sprinted towards his door.
Without thinking, I grabbed the handle and pushed open the door.
I froze.
Jace Greyson…big bad Mr alpha blood…was standing on top of his bed.
In his boxers.
His back was pressed firmly against the wall, and one hand was pointing towards the floor with genuine terror written across his face.
“Don’t just stand there!” he shouted.
“Get it out!
“Peter blinked.
“What?” “THAT!” Jace pointed frantically towards the wardrobe.
The three of us followed his finger.
A tiny brown spider, no bigger than a thumbnail, was slowly making its way across the floor.
Silence.
Nelly looked at the spider.
Then at Jace.
Then back at the spider.
“…Seriously?” “It moved!” Jace protested.
Peter folded his arms.
“I’d be more worried if it didn’t.” “I’m warning you, Peter.” “About what?” “Get rid of it.” Peter slowly walked over to the spider before crouching down.
The little creature stopped walking.
Peter tilted his head.
“Oh.” Jace swallowed.
“What?” Peter nodded thoughtfully.
“He says he’s just looking for somewhere warm.” “I don’t care what he says.” “He also says your room has excellent décor.” “I SAID I DON’T CARE!” I had turned away completely now, both hands over my mouth as i tried not to laugh.
“You fought three wolves at once last year,” i managed between giggles.
“They only had four legs!” Peter nodded.
“He makes a fair point.” “No, he doesn’t!” “It has eight.” “Exactly!” Peter looked down at the spider again.
“Hmm…”He nodded once.
“Right.” The spider moved slightly.
Peter sighed dramatically.
“I told him.” Jace narrowed his eyes.
“Told him what?” “That you weren’t available.” “…For what?” Peter looked up with a completely straight face.
“He wants to be roommates.” Nelly snorted.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Laughter escaped before I could stop it.
Jace looked utterly betrayed.
“I thought you were my friends.” “We are!” I laughed.
“That’s why this is so funny!” Peter carefully placed a glass over the spider before sliding a piece of card underneath it.
“There.” “The terrifying beast has been captured.” Jace cautiously climbed off the bed.
“Take it outside.” “I was planning to.” “Far outside.” “How far?” “Another county.” Peter smiled.
“I’ll see what he thinks.” He looked down into the glass.
“Fancy a road trip?” The spider crawled up the side.
Peter nodded.
“He says yes.” Jace groaned.
“I regret becoming friends with you.” Peter picked up the glass.
“I’ve got to say…for a future Alpha…you’ve got some interesting fears.
“Jace smirked.” At least I’m not ginger.” Peter stopped walking.
Slowly…Very slowly…He turned around.
“I.” He pointed at himself.
“I Am Not Ginger.” Jace folded his arms.
“Really?” “It’s strawberry blonde.” “That’s just something ginger people say.
“Peter looked towards me.” Lilah You tell him.” I studied Peter’s hair for a moment.
The morning sunlight coming through the window caught it perfectly.
Most of it was a soft dark blonde…but there were definitely warm coppery tones running through it.
I smiled.
“I wouldn’t call it ginger.” Peter grinned triumphantly.
“Thank you.” “I’d call it…”I thought for a second.”…a really lovely rusty colour.” Peter stared at me.
His cheeks slowly turned almost the same shade as his hair.
“You…You like it?” I laughed nervously.
“I mean I think it suits you.” “Oh.” “Thanks.” Neither of us knew what to say after that.
Nelly looked between us with the biggest grin I’d ever seen.
Jace coughed loudly.
“I think Peter’s overheating.” “I’m perfectly fine.” “You’ve gone bright red.” “It’s warm in here and call me ginger again and ill tell all the spiders in the building there is a spider house party happening in here tonight”.
Jace’s eyes widened “You wouldn’t”.
Peter quickly escaped into the corridor carrying the spider.
“I’m releasing my new friend.” Jace called after him.
“Tell him to stay away from my room!” Peter paused.
“I’ll ask.” A few seconds later his voice echoed back down the hallway.
“He says he’ll think about it.” “Peter!” His laughter drifted all the way downstairs.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
For someone who could apparently talk to every animal he met…He really did enjoy winding Jace up.
An hour later the four of us met outside the Compound gates.
Peter was still chuckling to himself.
“I can’t believe you’re scared of spiders.” “I am not scared.” “Oh?” “You screamed.” “I was…”Jace searched desperately for an excuse.”…caught off guard.” Nelly laughed.
“By something smaller than a grape.” “I said we’re never speaking of this again.” Peter looked thoughtful.
“I wonder if Tony’s newsletter has a ‘funny moments’ section.” Jace pointed at him.
“Don’t even think about it.” “I wasn’t.” said peter” I am totally not thinking of making one now.” said peter grinning.
“You are the worst.” Tony appeared carrying a set of keys and looked between the four of us.
“Morning…..Why do you all look guilty?” “Jace is scared of spiders “, Peter burst out pointing at Jace hardly able to contain himself.
Jace gritted his teeth with anger at Peter “Are you serious right now Peter”.
“Oh come on like the whole county didn’t hear you crying about it anyway”, Peter said smirking.
Tony looked at Jace.
“Spider’s heh”.
“What’s That look for”, said Jace “Nothing, nothing lot’s of people don’t like spiders, nothing wrong with it”, tony replied.
He jingled the minibus keys.
“Right then.” “Who’s ready for a trip to the garden centre?” My eyes lit up.
“I am.” Tony smiled.
“I thought you might be.”