at initial post-shock feeling of "reli

gh school gra

hose a seat far

near the center, holding court. His shar

his face, a slight frown, as if w

pulled out a cha

mination with Jonah at Stanford?

ew about ou

ng next to J

interjected, "Okay, Mark, give them a break. We all know their pl

y gentle voice now held a strange,

ah's decided to stay here.

rprise went th

spers erupted. Al

ate asked, genuine concern on her face

m, almost detached. "That

rs, louder this time,

nts: "so cold,"

My choice. Two different pat

, my phon

call about flight details.

ned, the air

y were now sitting right next

om alcohol, I guessed. He leaned in c

derstand. Anisa... she really needs someone right now. Once she's settled, we ca

hand, his finger

and pulled m

flatly. "It's fine. You made

o was watching us wit

re you planning to raise the mo

n came out

her face ins

shrieked, tears instantly we

oney, you think you can judge everyone? I work hard! I've

ng. "Claire, that's a bit much," someone

n a fit of dramatic coughing. She colla

rmth, fixed on me. "Apologize, Cla

ng a question? Yesterday Anisa was complaining she couldn't afford a bus ti

s drama, the righteous indignation, the con

hair back, re

d shot out and

u apologize. Otherwise... otherwise, our travel plan

his, and I s

ted me, but a man consum

I peeled his fingers o

, Jonah," my voice clear. "And I don

alked away, no

disbelief and rage, his hand still hang

clothes into my suitcase, a not

h, both beaming, his arm wrapped tightly ar

my true support system. Some peop

a long moment, th

didn't ev