Aurora’s voice was too calm. The kind of calm that didn’t match anything inside me. She stepped fully into my room like she’d been standing outside listening to my heartbeat.
Mind if I sit? she asked softly.
I just shook my head a little. I didn’t trust my mouth, felt like if I said even one word, I would cry again.
My throat did that stupid tight thing again. Why was she being kind to me? Of all people.
She sat on the edge of my bed, adjusting her skirt like she needed something to do with her hands. The room felt too small for her presence. And the more gentle she acted, the worse I felt. It was like her kindness was peeling me open.
Lyra, she said slowly, I noticed you didn’t stay too long yesterday. I didn’t see you when I got home. I asked Mason, but he didn’t say anything. She s
