[Hazel]
The thick glass doors of the HQ slid closed behind us with a mechanical sigh, like they were relieved to spit us out. I stood just outside, the cool breeze brushing against my arms as I watched Dad and Elisabeth step into the waiting yellow cab.
"Bye, sweetheart,” Dad said, giving me a proud but exhausted smile as he opened the car door. “You… you were really something in there. Thank you for not making me regret my decision."
"Love you, dad." I said, hugging him.
Elisabeth didn’t say anything. Just flipped her blond hair like I was the waiter who forgot her drink refill and slid into the back seat like the queen of misery.
"Bye, dad." I waved like a little kid as the cab drove off.
And then—it was just me and Elijah. Outside the building.
He didn’t say anything at first. Ju
