SOPHIE'S POV
The exact second the boys stepped back and gave us some space, I didn't wait for permission.
I stepped across the grass and wrapped my arms tightly around Lila's shoulders.
Immediately.
No probing questions.
No demands for an explanation.
No hesitation whatsoever. Just a hug. A proper, bone-crushing, grounding hug.
The exact kind that only best friends know how to give when the rest of the world is spinning entirely out of control.
For a long moment, she didn't say anything, her body stiff and rigid against mine as if she were still braced for an impact.
Then, slowly, the tension broke, and she hugged me back, burying her face into the fabric of my sweater.
And somehow... that hurt worse than seeing her angry.
Because Lila was usually the strong one. She was the
