I unfold the note.

Dear Leon,

I know something's wrong. And I think you're being an idiot. I mean, even more of an idiot than usual. I know you're hiding something. Do you think I'm just going to go away? If you do, you clearly don't know me as well as you thought.

It's so stupid. Why are we even fighting? You know what? It doesn't matter. The fact that you're even reading this note means that you're going to end up opening this stupid door. And you're probably thinking "oh yeah? Like that'll happen!" It will happen, Leon. Admit it. You are TERRIBLE at keeping secrets. Remember that time when you knew what Mum and Dad had got me for Christmas, and you didn't want to tell me but I made you? And I'd already made you tell me what YOU'D got me for Christmas! Then you tried to make ME tell YOU what I'd bought for you. I didn't.

This is pointless. Open the door.

Love Lyddie x

An unwilling grin tugs at my lips. In spite of my better judgement, I pick up another note.

Dear Leon,

I know you don't want to let me in. I know you just want to stay in your room like a very stupid hermit. But I think you should let me in, because when you think about it, you owe me that.

You've been a grump ALL DAY. And, believe it or not, hanging out with a grump isn't much fun.

You didn't show up after school. I waited for OVER HALF AN HOUR at the gates for you! In the RAIN! WITHOUT a coat or umbrella!

When I eventually accepted the fact that you'd abandoned me, I had to wait ANOTHER quarter of an hour for the bus. Then the bus driver wouldn't let me on because I didn't have any money! You promised to pay because you owe me money, remember? So I had to call Mum to pick me up, and she had to leave work early. She is NOT happy with me.

When I finally got to your house, I found you locked in your room and I don't know why. And you ignored me when I asked if you wanted to talk.

Because you were ignoring me, I had to hunt all over your house for a notepad. AND a pen.

That's five good reasons to let me in.

I AM NOT failing this sociology project because of you. OPEN THE DOOR.

Love Lyddie

I'm not smiling any more. Guilt is lying in my heart like a stone.

Another note is pushed through the side of the door and floats onto my lap. I open it, chewing my lip.

OPEN. THE. DOOR.

NOW!!!

I give up.

I kick aside bits of paper and open the door.