SOPHIA’S POV
Thanksgiving Day arrived.
I stood in front of the mirror. My reflection stared back at me. My eyes were tired. I had dark circles under them. My whole face looked hollow.
I didn’t want to go anywhere public. I didn’t want eyes on me. I didn’t want whispers, questions, or pity.
Most of all, I didn’t want to risk running into Damien again. I thought about Ashley and how much I had disappointed her. I thought about Lance too.
Everything made me feel like a failure.
I just wanted to stay in and sleep in bed all day. But Klara had talked about this day for weeks.
Every phone call ended with, “Don’t forget, Aunt Sophia. You promised.” Every visit included her tugging my sleeve, reminding me about her costume, her poem, her class.
I pressed my fingers agains
