Chapter 143

Chapter 0243

“We got your back, Ariel,” Rafe murmurs, patting my knee. And then we spend the next few hours

talking softly, letting our thoughts wander, none of us really making a move to go to bed. Instead,

slowly – perhaps simultaneously we all fall asleep curled up next to each other like we used to do

when we were kids. A puppy pile, mom used to call it.

And I think of that, of my mom, and my family, and how much I love the rich warmth of them as I fall

asleep next to my two best friends.

Because I get to see the rest of them tomorrow.

And I can barely wait.

I gasp awake when the door flies open behind me, spinning and blinking and trying to figure out if

I’m about to die

“I did it!” Ben shouts, giving a whoop of excited joy as Rafe leaps to his feet, his chest. heaving with

anxiety. Jesse just groans, turning over on the couch and burying his face in his pillow as I clasp a

hand to my throat, trying to figure out if I had a heart attack. “I passed my finals! I get to stay!”

“Too bad you’re going to die in like four seconds, Ben!” Rafe snaps, scowling and striding over to

Ben to snatch the piece of paper out of his hand. Ben ignores Rafe, dancing around the room as he

pumps his fist in the air.

“I get to stay in school! I passed – I’m an Ambassador now, for real! Or at least, on my way to it!”

“That’s amazing, Ben, I’m very happy for you,” Jesse murmurs into his pillow. “Now shut up. Go

away.”

I smile as I watch Rafe collect himself and smile at our friend, reaching out to grab Ben and wrap

him into a big hug as he murmurs his congratulations. I grin at Ben, who peers at me over Rafe’s

shoulder, watching him take a surreptitious sniff of Rafe’s scent as they break their quick hug.

I push myself to my feet as well, wincing as my stiff muscles unfold. God, sleeping on the floor –

what a stupid idea

“Congrats, Ben,” I say, holding open my arms as I cross the room to him. Rafe lets him go and Ben

steps to me, wrapping me in a hug and rocking me back and forth. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Did you get your results?” he asks, eager, looking down at me.

“Um, I don’t know, you kind of woke us up,” I say, looking towards the door. “How did you find out?”

“Slipped under my door this morning,” he says, letting go of me and striding for the still- open door,

looking for a piece of paper. He sighs and turns to me, shaking his head.

I scowl, flopping down on the couch and making Jesse yelp when I land on the back of his

calves.

“Oh, you baby,” I mutter, “that didn’t hurt.”

“Be gentle with me,” Jesse whines, still burying his face in the pillow and pretending to be asleep.

“I’m very delicate and you kept me up all night talking and I haven’t had any coffee

I laugh, smacking him on the back even as the dumbwaiter’s bell rings. I turn towards it, eager.

“Sounds like coffee’s here anyway.” Even as I watch Rafe and Ben walk eagerly to the dumbwaiter,

I can’t help the anxiety that rolls in my stomach.

Why did Ben get his results, but not me?

Is it just because he’s on a different track?

Or… is it because I didn’t pass? Is a different note coming soon, telling me to pack my things for

good? Is it going to be –

“Is there enough coffee for one more?”

My head spins immediately to the door at the sound of Luca’s voice, my eyes going wide. Jesse

immediately sits up, his sleepy façade gone as he looks at Luca levelly, clearly

wondering – as I am just how upset he still is, and if he’s volatile.

I go completely still, waiting for Luca to give me a sign about how this is going to go.