As we wait for Brad’s reply, Janie and I stare at my phone on the floor, anticipating the response. The tension builds, and the phone beeps again after a minute, causing us to jolt with excitement. I quickly unlock my phone and open his message., ‘After dreaming of you all night. I had the best sleep,’ I read out to Janie.
We both squeal with excitement.
Janie’s mother knocks on the door and enters with a tray of nibbles.
Janie quickly pulls a medical textbook from behind her, under the bed, places it on top of her spell book, and opens it pretending to read it.
‘Hi, Mrs Twittlebug,’ I wave.
‘Oh, Rose. It’s good to see you. I didn’t hear the doorbell when you arrived,’ she says, puzzled.
Janie and I smile, giving each other a knowing glance, ‘I saw Rose coming over, Mum, when I was drinking my lemon tea on my terrace. I told her to come up,’ Janie says to her.
‘Oh, of course,’ she smiles. ‘Very well then,’ she says, placing the tray beside us.
‘It’s good to see you are studying together,’ Mrs Twittlebug smiles at the textbook.
‘You know me, Mum, always have my nose stuck in a book,’ Janie laughs.
‘Very true,’ her mother replies and pauses. ‘I wanted to talk to you about something that might be a bit sensitive, but I thought you should know,’ she says.
I point at myself, ‘Oh, I can go and come back later if you need privacy, Mrs Twittlebug?’ I say to her.
‘No, that won’t be necessary. Janie would run over to your place and tell you straight after anyway,’ she says.
‘Oh, okay, then,’ I reply.
‘What is it, Mum?’ Janie asks.
‘I received a phone call from Grammy’s lawyer. She left me her house to inherit, as I’m her only child. The problem is, being a widow, I won’t be able to keep up the expense of maintaining that house as well as this one. Unfortunately, my only option is to sell Grammy’s house,’ she sobs.
‘No, we can’t sell Grammy’s house. You grew up there. I have so many memories there. Grammy lived in that house her whole life. Her mother lived there before her. We can’t sell it, Mum,’ Jane says, now sobbing.
‘I’m sorry, Janiebug, but I don’t know any other options we have,’ she says, shaking her head.
We sit in silence for a few moments. The only sounds are the tears splashing to the floor or the odd sniffle.
Janie jolts, ‘Wait! I have an idea, Mum. What if I live there on weekends, and while I’m there, I can sand, varnish and freshen it up slowly over time with fresh paint and fixtures? After all, I’m nineteen years old, and we’ve spoken about me being more independent. I can get a job after I’ve finished lessons at the academy and use that money to buy what I need for Grammy’s house,’ she says in a pleading and hopeful tone.
Mrs Twittlebug nods, ‘That would work, Janiebug, but even though you’re nineteen, it would worry me that you would be living alone in the woods,’ she says.
Janie looks at me, her face lighting up as she grabs my hand, ‘Rose can live with me there on the weekends so that I won’t be alone,’ Janie smiles. ‘Please say yes, Mum?’ Janie pleads.
Mrs Twittlebug turns her attention to me, ‘Would you be willing to live with Janie on the weekends?’ she asks me.
‘Well, realistically, we already live together on weekends with our constant sleepovers at each others houses, so I’m in,’ I beam.
‘Then it’s settled. We are keeping Grammy’s house,’ Mrs Twittlebug smiles.
Janie jumps up and hugs her mother, Mrs Twittlebug embraces Janie, holding her dearly.
‘Right then, I better let the lawyer know we’ll be keeping the house after all,’ she says, leaving the room with a spring in her step.
Janie and I jump around excitedly, but I get a little carried away and accidentally howl with pride for my best friend.
Janie lunges at me, covering my mouth and laughing as we tumble to the floor.
‘Sorry, I couldn’t help it,’ I tell her.
‘I know,’ Janie smiles and sits back on the floor.
We nibble on the treats Mrs Twittlebug brought us. There are mini sandwiches, crackers with cheese, and a plate of cookies.
‘So, you and Xander. What do you think of him?’ I ask Janie as I munch on a cookie.
Janie blushes and can’t make eye contact with me. ‘He’s incredibly sweet, charming, and has a smouldering sexiness about him,’ she giggles. ‘I really like him a lot. He asked me to be his girlfriend after we kissed last night. I told him yes,’ she smiles, finally making eye contact with me
‘Janie, are you sure Xander is right for you?’ I ask, concerned.
Janie frowns, ‘What do you mean?’ she asks.
‘I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about Xander doesn’t seem… natural,’ I tell her.
‘Oh, Rose, I think you’re just being paranoid. I mean, dating is new to both of us, after all. It’s normal for us to be so protective of each other. I won’t lie. You and me now having boyfriends does make me a little nervous, too,’ she says.
‘I just don’t want you to get hurt, Janie,’ I tell her as I take her hand.
‘You don’t have to worry about me, Rose. It’s hard to explain, but I feel a strange connection with Xander. Call it puppy love if you wish, but I feel as though Xander and I are meant to be,’ she confesses.
I stare into Janie’s eyes and see the sparkles dancing in her eyes as she speaks of Xander. All I want is happiness for Janie, and I can see her soul beaming with it.
‘All right, well, I’m really happy for you then, Janie. As long as you're happy, then that’s all that matters to me,’ I tell her tenderly.
‘Oh, Rose. I’m so glad you approve,’ she says, flinging her arms around me.
‘If it helps, I think you and Brad make a stunning couple to look at. You’re one of the most beautiful girls at the academy, and I always overhear all the girls saying Brad is one of the most handsome there,’ she smiles.
‘Thanks, Janie, but technically, Brad and I aren’t officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet,’ I tell her.
‘I bet you will be soon, though,’ she smirks.
‘Maybe, but in the meantime, I have to be careful making out with him so he doesn’t find my ears and tail. I won’t be able to take the next step with him until I’m fully human again,’ I tell Janie.
‘You’re right. You can search the internet for ideas, and I’ll go through my spellbook again. There’s so much in this book that I’ve probably missed it,’ she says.