FORTY- FOUR
Monica lay on her side, her phone pressed to her ear. Her voice had been flat for most of the conversation, and Maxwell sensed something was off.
“Monica,” he said slowly, “are you feeling sick?”
“No.”
He waited. Silence stretched between them.
“Is it about the competition? You’ve been training like crazy, but moonie, you’ve got this. You always do.”
Still no answer.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Max. It’s not you.”
“Okay… did someone upset you? Like… anyone? Your team? Your friends?”
She sighed faintly, clutching her pillow tighter.
“Your sister?”
“No.”
“Your parents?”
“No.”
“Clearance stress again?”
“I’m fine,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maxwell let out a breath. “You don’t sound fine. And don’t do that thing where you say you’
