Elaris's POV
I couldn't stop crying.
Every time I thought I'd managed to calm down, my eyes found another familiar face waiting patiently for me, smiling as though my tears weren't embarrassing at all.
They simply understood.
Linnea kept one arm around my shoulders while gently rubbing my back.
"Easy," she whispered with a laugh that sounded suspiciously emotional herself. "You'll make the rest of us start crying."
"I'm already crying," Mrs. Harlow confessed, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue.
"Oh, hush," Mrs. Lane teased, although her own voice had thickened. "You'll ruin your makeup before the guest of honor even sits down."
"I didn't wear makeup."
"Exactly."
Laughter spread through the apartment.
I laughed too, although it came out between sniffles.
Clara car
