27

~Tove

This is probably a big mistake.

Raising my fist, I knock quickly on the door before I can decide against it. My courage is waning, even if I am excited to see my mate tonight.

He answers after at least a minute, rubbing a hand down his face tiredly until he see’s it’s me standing at his doorway.

"Is everything okay?" He asks, looking over me and past me, as if harm may have suddenly befallen me.

It is the middle of the night. Mary and I go carried away talking, and now, I’m standing at Keo’s door at a time that can hardly be excused as innocent.

"Yes...everything is fine,” I force out uncomfortably. The reality of my decision has settled on my shoulders.

Keo relaxes, leaning against the doorframe.

"Oh. Good."

He looks beyond tired. His dark hair is all mussed, messily draped down over his forehead and ears. His eyes are shadowed by a lack of sleep, and considering all the stress he’s under, I’m not surprised.

"I wanted to talk to you,” I tell him softly, as someone may overhear