Chapter 28

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

The soundof rain tapping against the window pulls me from sleep, a steady, rhythmic sound that"s oddly soothing, yet jarring all at once. For a moment, I"m disoriented, the remnants of a dream clinging to the edges of my consciousness. Then, reality sets in—the rain, the gray light filtering through the curtains, the soft hum of the storm outside. It means no flying lesson today.

A twinge of disappointment tugs at my heart, a feeling so unexpected and out of place it takes me a moment to understand it. Why would I be disappointed? Just days ago, the thought of soaring through the air would have sent me into a panic. Yet here I am, lying in bed, feeling let down by the weather, of all things.

But as I lie there, listening to the thunder, I realize it"s not the flying I"m missing—it"s Morgan. The thought sends a warm flush through me, a mix of excitement and something else, something deeper. I can"t help but smile, even as I berate myself for being so foolish.

Rolling over, I reach for my phone, half-hoping, half-dreading to see a message from him. Instead, my screen lights up with a text from Tomas. "Great minds think alike ??," it reads. My heart sinks, irritation flaring up like a sudden flame. He"s such an ass. The smirking emoji only adds to the annoyance pricking at my skin.

As I toss the phone aside, a thought strikes me—how long will Tomas linger in Mystic Hollow after the competition? The sooner he leaves, the better. I want him out of here, out of this place that"s started to feel like home. The realization halts me. Mystic Hollow isn"t my home; I"m just passing through, a temporary visitor. Yet, in the short time I"ve been here, it"s woven itself into my heart in a way I can"t quite explain.

Shaking off the thoughts, I push myself out of bed. The storm might blow over, and there"s still a chance for that lesson. The idea brings a flicker of hope, a gentle tug at the corner of my lips. I get ready for the day, dressing in the quiet of my room, the storm a steady companion.

As I put on my shoes, I can"t help but wonder about Morgan. Will he be as disappointed as I am? The thought of him waiting, hopeful for a break in the weather, warms me from the inside out. With one last glance at my phone, still silent save for Tomas"s unwelcome message, I head out, ready to face the day, rain or shine. Mystic Hollow, with all its quirks and unexpected turns, has started to feel like more than just a place to stay. It"s started to feel like somewhere I belong.