Maverick ran a hand through his hair. "I should head home. I have things to do." Theo shrugged slightly. "I don't have anywhere else to be." Lilith stretched her arms. "I usually hang out with Sylas anyways."
Fina looked at them each in turn, nodding slightly. "Well, I'm not very fun. I'm sorry. I've just been making notes lately. Speaking of which, have you guys seen my field guide? I don't remember bringing it with me."
"We broke into your house and grabbed it to see if it could help us figure out what happened to you," Cassian told her bluntly. "Maverick or Theresa has it."
She still looked hurt, holding the guide close to her chest. "So, let me get this straight. You all broke into my house, took my field guide and looked through it as a big group?"
Theresa frowned at Fina. "I accept full responsibility for the decision," she said flatly. "We didn't know when or if you were going to wake up. If I had known that you would have returned to consciousness in the next 24 hours, I would have waited, but all we knew was that you were in the hospital." She sighed, running her hand through her hair. "If it's any consolation, Cass was opposed to the idea."
She still seemed disturbed, but shook her head. "It's fine, I suppose. When are you guys going to go check it out?"
"I'm getting discharged in a week," she said, folding the edge of her bedsheets nervously. "If you want to wait until then. Normally, I would say it's important to go sooner rather than later, but I think we should give it time; they'll be expecting us now that I'm awake."
Theresa was working in her garden, wearing a large, floppy sunhat that shielded her eyes as she worked on the lilacs. * * * Fina was still in the hospital, reading her textbook to try to catch up. * * * Monty was lying in bed on top of his covers, looking up at the ceiling fan. * * * Sylas was lying on his back in the field, watching the clouds.
A bluebird landed on a nearby fence, twittering curiously. *** There was a polite knock on her door. *** His phone buzzed with a text. "You awake?" *** Lilith approached, looking over him playfully.
She looked up curiously, squinting through the sunlight before sitting back on her knees. "Hello, there." * * * She looked up, sitting up on her elbows. "Come in." * * * He looked down before replying. "Always. What's up?" * * * Sylas' eyes were closed, his hands curled on his stomach.
It tilted its head at her, chirping. *** Cassian came in, holding his school bag. "I brought you notes." *** "Do you want to hang out?" *** She observed him curiously before lying beside him, doing the same thing.
She laughed slightly, considering it. "I like your feathers," she told it. "They're very vibrant." * * * She brightened, setting down the book. "You did? Thank you." * * * "Always. Where are you?" * * * His eyes fluttered open and he turned to look at her. "What are you doing?"
