Page 34 of Stoney Gazes for Helpful Gorgons

"Thanks, Rhea. I really didn't want to cancel on you today."

"You didn't cancel, something happened and we had to change plans. I'm not more important than your family."

A strange expression comes over his face. "Then why do I feel like this?"

I want to tell him it's nothing, but I don't think I can. "Maybe it's just what Bobbi was saying about us making a strong bond over our grieving processes." I don't know how true that is, or if it'll help anything, but it sounds like a plausible explanation.

"Maybe." He takes a deep breath. "If you can get tickets for tomorrow, I'd really appreciate it."

"I'll see what I can do," I promise.

"And if you're free and want to come with us, I know I'd like that."

"Are you sure? I don't want to get in the way of your time with Eddy."

"I'm sure," he responds. "Eddy's probably going to be on his phone the whole time. I don't even know who he's talking to on that thing."

I snort. "You sound way older than nineteen right now."

He chuckles, seeming a bit more like his normal self in the process. "I did sound old, didn't I?"

"A little bit. But it's kind of cute."

"Only you would think that," he responds. He sighs and rubs his free hand over his face, not doing anything to take his other one out of mine. "I should get back to Eddy. But thank you, Rhea, for everything."

"What are friends for?" I ask, realising as I say it that I'm not fully satisfied by that. This feels more intense than any friendship I've experienced before, and I want to do whatever I can in order to keep it. Even if that means babysitting a thirteen-year-old at the museum tomorrow.

Chapter 15

RHEA

I wait outside, looking through the tourists to try and spot Jack and his brother. I should have met them outside the academy dorms rather than saying I'd meet them here, but I didn't expect it to be so busy. Especially at this time of year, it's not even the school holidays yet.

Eventually, I spot them, and wave them over to me, relieved that I don't have to stand in one spot for any longer.

Jack's face lights up as he sees me, while Eddy just looks a bit bored. Maybe the museum isn't his first choice of entertainment for a Saturday. More likely, he's just a grieving thirteen-year-old who doesn't fully understand what's happening. Losing someone is a lot to get a handle on at my age, I can't imagine how complicated it would have been a few years ago, or to have lost my primary carer. My heart aches for him in a new way.

"Hey," Jack says as they reach me.

"Hi. Sera's meeting us inside to let us into the museum. I'm not precisely sure what she's told them, but she promises me it's fine and the tickets are all ours." I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.

"I'm sorry to drag you out of bed on a Saturday."

"You're fine, I like the museum," I assure him, not mentioning that I also want to support him and this is the best way I know how. "And I didn't actually have any plans today anyway." I'd probably have just ended up staying in bed and doing nothing all day.

"Still, I appreciate it."

"Jack said your friend works here," Eddy says, looking up from his phone and staring at my hair as if he's expecting one of my snakes to make an appearance. Neither of them oblige.

"She does. She's the one who got us free tickets." I stand there a bit awkwardly, not really knowing the best way to talk to him. Maybe I shouldn't have come today after all. I clear my throat. "Shall we?" I gesture to the grand building behind me.

Eddy hangs close to Jack's side, his little shadow. It's sweet to see how much he seems to care that Jack's here for him, but makes it difficult for me to have a conversation about anything.

I push the thought aside. Today isn't about me and I need to remember that.

Sera spots us and heads straight over. "Welcome," she says brightly. "You must be Jack and Eddy," she says to the two gargoyles, making me realise she's never actually met Jack even if they were both at my birthday party.

"Pleased to meet you," Jack says.