Ara’s POV
"Take it slow," Nicole says, practically doing her best impression of a human caution sign as she supports me up the stairs. She swings open the door with a flourish like she's a maître d' at a fancy restaurant and pulls up a chair. "Your throne, m'lady," she jokes, helping me sit down as if she's my personal butler.
"You're so kind," I say gratefully.
"It's in the best friend's job description," she grins.
Her care is so foreign yet so precious, it's like discovering a unicorn in my backyard. Suddenly, I'm fighting back tears that threaten to escape. I surreptitiously dab at my eyes, hoping Nicole doesn't notice my impromptu tear fest.
"I noticed you weren't at the cafeteria today and your radio silence had me wondering if you'd joined a silent retreat," Nicole says dramat
