Theodore Nott ⁵

The storm had struck unexpectedly that afternoon, and when his mother heard that a new girl in town had been stranded with a broken-down car, she didn't take no for an answer. "It's the right thing to do, Theo," she'd said before throwing open the door to greet her.

It wasn't that he had anything against her, but from the moment she walked in with her soaked jacket and her "I don't want to be here any longer than necessary" air, something about her irritated him. Or maybe it was the way she seemed unimpressed by the house that usually left everyone speechless. However, there was something intriguing about her attitude that made him pay more attention to her than he wanted to admit.

A soft murmur came from the kitchen. She slammed the book shut, tossing it aside, and walked toward the source of the sound.