Chapter 21: SOFIA

I don't really remember exactly when, but I decided to stay.

I don't know if it was when Justin walked by murmuring. Or when Sonya Risk and Beatrice Piers, the third set trotted by eager to be anywhere than here.

I didn't know what exactly Richard said or says to them, but I was going to find out. Even if it means groveling before him.

With each set called, I felt my anxiety rise and with each of them that left, I felt a mixture of dread for what's to come and a soar of faith for there's still a chance.

I felt a hand on my lap, and I turned to see Cole's resting on my tapping leg. I didn't even know that my leg had started tapping in anxiety. His touch was soft, it was a promise, a reassurance. It said,

"Hey you are fine. It's alright"

How was it that the tables had turned? He was the nervous one and yet here he was, calming me down.

"You know what, there's a chance we might not get to see each other after today_"