Sonnet
She left with him gladly, happy to be freed from the questions and staring of the other pupils. She was relieved that Iclisa had let them go, but she had a feeling she might have upset her.
They stepped out into the cool night, starting to walk across the velvety grass of the school grounds. Her heart was beating disjointedly and out of rhythm as she tried to think of something to say to him. Again, she was lost for words for the second time this night. It didn't help when he looked up at her with those intense grey eyes of his. She tried to speak but her words tripped over one another until she decided it was best to be quiet for a moment.
She shivered slightly as they ambled across the dark grounds; night had brought a cool breeze with it.
He looked at her and said in a light voice, "You cold? You can have my jacket."
He started shrugging it off, but she stopped him by placing a hand on his arm. "Such a gentleman," she teased, glad that her words seemed to be flowing more smoothly now. "I thought you wanted to run anyway? That would warm me up."
They stopped walking for a moment, as he pretended to yawn.
"I'm too tired..." he stretched out his arms, but stopped half way through and peeked at her with one eye, ruffling his dark hair.
"Race you!" he suddenly blurted out, running so fast it made Sonnet's head spin.
No way am I going to catch up unless I cheat, she thought deviously, laughing out into the dark night as she shifted, catching him easily in her serval form.
"Cheater!" he called back at her laughing, not seeming to tire at all. She stopped and switched forms, nursing a stitch as he skidded to a halt some distance away.
"Getting tired?" he quipped, laughing as her as she regained breath.
"You know I can't run," she whined.
He grinned and folded his arms. "You suggested it."
She laughed as the pain subsided. "You did, back in the hall!"
He joined her again, jogging the distance back to her.
"C'mon, let's keep walking."
"My feet hurt."
He rolled his eyes. "Then I'll carry you. I want to show you something, it's only a little bit away from here."
He started to walk ahead a little bit, and on impulse, she reached for his hand. A little shocked at herself, she reddened slightly but was glad the darkness hid it well.
"Here," he said, when they came to a giant oak in the gardens. She smiled; the gardens of Tarragon were a beautiful place, night or day. The darkness switched all the bright chromatic colours into many hues of blue, but it was just as beautiful. They sat under the boughs of the tree, leaning against the rough bark.
She felt slightly disappointed when his hand slipped away from hers, but the feeling of nervousness was much more overpowering. He kept motioning as if to say something, but his mouth clamped shut again after every try. She took a deep breath.
"Quin?" He looked up at her. "I have a feeling you wanted to talk to me about something." Her stomach flipped suddenly, as she waited for his response.
*Sorry, I wasn't 100% sure what he wanted to say so I'll leave it up to you
