ble at all. And you'd see how out of shape I was b

head, and was itching all over from the intense heat of July sun.

come undone for the third time this week, and as I was the on

so was frowned upon. I was only annoyed that I, a novic

asn't qualified to handle half of the incidents

y at Mr. Gaius' study. The idea of offending Mr. Gai

st, commonly known as the Town Hall, since I was so frightened

y and other rooms are on the upper floor, with the main a

e wood stairway and turning into the hallway that led th

. His typically laid-back smile has vanished, and in its

as she relaxes next to him on the couch

aius is seated on a throne appropriate only for a king behind his desk. His pier

his. I slightly tremble as the light from the glass window only highlig

e apologies, Mr. Gaius I had to attend to a medical emergency. I restrain myself from s

into a grin. "I'll make an exception this time. In addition, my kid, I can n

arms, allowing him to embrace me. I hesitated for a second be

distance while reaching up to brush my hair off my face. His admiring gaze was twi

alk as I turn to face the brown leather

normal from the outside, it is everything but... My kids, you can't put your faith in anyone. You will spend the next four years fitting in without men

ning to get you ready for life outside of school, and you'll graduate with the rest of

ly ask Mr. Gaius to consider my grades and acc

talking about Antonia, who had been

uld be apart for four years, seei

d into Columbia university. I grin and giv

you, my wise Isabella, I've determined that staying near home is crucial. He takes hold of my hands. I've admitted you into the nei

'm too busy trying to stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks to

e shaking, my breath is shallow,

n more responsibilities just to be allowed to go to college in New York. Th

only person that protected me. For as long as I can

orried about him so much at night that I couldn't sleep. Was he content or safe?

l down my cheek, I already knew that I wo

orders for everyone to leave, paus

to contain my emotions, I truly didn't want