Since the last chapter was so short, I made this one longer. Also, it will have more Will considering the last chapter had more Jem. And some of you wanted a jealous Will, so this will have some of that too (Tiny bit), and now I'm giving away the whole chapter so I'll just shut up now and let you read.
We all stood in the entry way, saying our goodbyes. Charlotte and Henry were leaving to go to Idris for a Clave meeting, leaving us alone for a week. At first Charlotte was hesitant, she didn't like the idea of no adult super vision, but Sophie managed to convince her that she'd keep an eye on the Institute.
"We won't be gone long. Any time I can have a portal back here, so remember that." She looked at each and every one of us sternly. I couldn't help but notice how her eyes lingered on Will a little longer than the rest of us.
"We'll be perfect little angels," Will said in an innocent voice. Charlotte narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything.
"Jem, make sure he doesn't get into trouble," Charlotte told Jem.
"I'll try my best," Jem smiled. Charlotte sighed and looked over at Henry. Henry, trying to hang onto all the suitcases, started heading towards the door. Sophie opened the door for him and he disappeared down the walk.
"Behave," Charlotte told us before heading out herself.
"No promises," Will mumbled behind her. Sophie shut the door and walked off into the kitchen. Will had a grin on his face as he spun on his heel and headed off into the opposite direction.
"Now where are you going?" Jem called out to him. Will looked over his shoulder and smirked.
"Don't worry, mother, I won't cause any harm to anybody or anything," Will teased. Jem shook his head, but there was a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
This week could only end in disaster.
Two days went by and Will managed to not burn the Institute down. I was sitting in Jem's room, listening to him play his violin, when there was knock at the door.
"Come in," Jem called, setting the instrument down. Will strolled into the room and plopped down on Jem's bed. He crossed his feet at the ankles and folded his hands behind his head.
"I think we should go out," Will proposed. He looked between Jem and me, waiting for an answer.
"Where would we go? There's nowhere to go," Jem replied. Will sighed and sat up.
"I don't know, anywhere. This place is so dull," Will said. Jem looked at me and raised his eyebrow.
"I don't mind going anywhere," I said. Will jumped up and smiled.
"It's settled then, let's go." He started to head to the door when Jem called out to him.
"We don't even know where we're going." Will stopped and thought for a moment.
"A pub?" he suggested. Jem shook his head.
"We can't bring Tessa to a bar, and besides, I don't want to go to a bar," Jem replied. Will mumbled something about Jem not being any fun and sat down on a chair by Jem's dresser. He laid his head in his hand and sighed.
"How about . . ." Will trailed off, looking at Jem for suggestions.
"How about we just go walking?" Jem adumbrated. Will rolled his eyes but stood up.
"If there's nothing else. Hurry before I change my mind." Jem smiled at me and I stood up from the chair.
All three of us left Jem's room and headed towards the entry way. We came across Sophie scurrying down the hallway. She stopped when she spotted us and narrowed her eyes.
"Where are you going?" she asked us suspiciously.
"Out," Will replied casually. Sophie nodded her head slowly, her eyes still narrowed.
"Don't worry, Sophie. I won't let him get into trouble," Jem reassured her. She looked over at Jem and I couldn't help but notice how her face softened and a slight blush rose on her cheeks.
"Alright then," she mumbled before continuing down the hall, her eyes now cast downwards.
We walked on and Will thrust the doors open. It was a gloomy day out, and there was a lot of fog, but that didn't stop Will from charging out of the Institute and stalking down the steps. I followed after him and Jem took the rear, closing the doors behind him.
We walked along London's streets, gazing at the buildings and landmarks. It really was a beautiful city. The fog cleared after a while, making everything brighter.
Will had his hands in his pockets and Jem was explaining to me what everything was. Every once in a while, Will would look back at the two of us and frown. I wanted to ask him what his problem was, but the truth was, I didn't really care. I was having a good time, and Will wasn't going to spoil that.
We came across a shop and Will dragged us into it. It was a small antique store filled with different things from bowls to furniture. Jem went off to look at an old violin hanging on the wall while Will stumbled off somewhere.
I looked around and noticed a small shelf in the back filled with books. I made my way over there, fascinated by the old collection.
"I knew you'd like this," an all too familiar voice said behind me. I looked over my shoulder, already knowing it was Will who was speaking to me.
"Did you?" We stood there staring at the books for a moment. I reached out and, with my finger, traced the spines of the books, reading the titles. I hadn't heard of many of them. I pulled one out and looked at it. It was red and the spine was torn on the edges. I opened it up and the smells of an old book hit me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sent.
"That's one of my favorites," Will told me, gazing at the book. I closed the cover to look at the title.
"The Hunchback of Notre-Dame?" He nodded and smiled. But it wasn't his usual smirk; it was actually a genuine smile.
"It's set in Paris. Quasimodo, the bell ringer at Notre-Dame, falls in love with this woman and hides her in the tower to protect her," he explained.
"Why does she need protecting?" I asked him, fascinated by the book.
"She's a gypsy who was condemned as a witch by a man who lusts after her." I looked down at the book.
"How does it end?" I questioned curiously.
"Now, I don't want to spoil the ending. No, you'd have to read it if you want to find out," he told me. I sighed and stared down at the book.
"Just tell me this, is it a happy ending?" Will thought for a moment, deciding whether or not to tell me I assumed.
"That would give too much away. You'll have to read it if you want to know," he said. I tucked the book under my arm and looked at the shelf. I peeked at Will to find him staring at me. I quickly adverted my eyes, a light blush rising on my cheeks.
"Here," he said, holding out his hand, "I'll buy it for you." I looked at him and shook my head.
"Oh no, you shouldn't have to," I told him. He sighed and shook his head from side to side.
"I insist, now hand it over." I placed the book in his hand and he held it for a while, staring at the book.
Then he turned and headed to the counter. I looked around the small shop and found Jem still eyeing the violin. I walked over to him and he smiled when he saw me.
"Find anything you like?" he asked me. I nodded and told him of the book. He chuckled and stared at the instrument.
"You know, that's one of Will's favorites," he told me. I nodded and smiled a little.
"So he said." Jem reached out and stroked the wood of the instrument. He had this light in his eyes and a grin on his face.
"Are you going to purchase that?" I asked him. He sighed and shook his head.
"I already have one, it's not needed," he told me. "Besides, one is all I really want."
I nodded in understanding as Will shuffled over to us. He handed me the book and I thanked him.
"Ready to leave?" he asked us. We both nodded, and we all wandered out of the shop.
The air was chilly when we stepped outside. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself.
"Are you cold?" Jem asked me.
"I'll be fine," I assured him. He shook his head and shrugged off his frock coat. He wrapped it around me and I smiled gratefully. Will looked at us and the smile he had in the shop was gone.
"We're going to be late for dinner if you two don't hurry up," he told us. Jem looked at me and rolled his eyes at Will's attitude. I smiled softly and we trailed after Will.
We reached the Institute a few minutes later and strolled through the doors. I removed Jem's coat and handed it back to him.
"Thank you," I told him. He smiled and went to hang it up. Will was already in the dining room, waiting to eat. I was tired so I decided to skip dinner and just head straight to my room. I walked down the hallways until I was standing in front of my door. I pushed it open and shut it quietly behind me. Night was settling in as I walked over to my bed. I laid the book Will bought be on the side tabled and slipped under the covers, not even bothering to remove my dress.
I picked up The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and opened to the first page.
Then I began to read.
I feel like that was much longer, don't you? At least I hope you do. Anyway, give me a shout out, tell me what you thought. Was it bad, good, brilliant, terrible? Do you wish it was longer or that it was better? Review?
