Page 33 of The Chemistry Test

Cam

When I get back, I can’t tell if Penny’s still awake or not. Our flat’s at the front of the building, but between the amber glow of the street lamps and the wide-reaching motion-sensors mounted near the entrance, it’s impossible to tell if there’s any light coming from Penny’s window.

I take a few steps towards her room to check – a risky move since it would probably be more scary to see someone right outside your window than for someone you’re expecting to walk through the front door. But I don’t want her to see me at all.

And I figure good intentions have always been the death of me, so why stop now.

Carefully and cautiously, I edge forward – at this point, very much aware I’m making things more complicated than I need to, once again. Risking scaring her half to death for the tiniest, most stupid little thing. But I’ve never been one to shy away from gambling big for small wins, so I press on.

It takes me about a minute to creep forward two metres.

I’m still in the motion-detector’s path, but close enough to see a hint of light peeking out from behind her curtains – which, now I think about it, is not actually ample confirmation of her sleep status anyway, especially with it being so dim.

Well, I tried, I reason, as I finally quit overthinking it and send her an almost home text, just as I put my key in the door and dash straight to my room. I wasn’t just getting stuff for breakfast.