Chapter 15. A Gift

Leila’s POV

I slowly nodded, knowing that there was so much more to it, but I wouldn’t press her on this. “Okay, well, if you need me I’m here.”

Mia simply shrugged, and inside, I sighed, puzzled over what could be wrong. Before I had the chance to ponder much longer, however, the intercom buzzed, and Mr. Anderson’s voice filled the room.

“Leila, ten minutes, we’re leaving.”

His words alone strummed my heart like the tight strings of a violin. “I’ll be right back,” I told Mia, turning to leave. “I’ll see you later, then?”

“Sure,” she murmured, her stare already grazing me.

I quickened my steps, and down the hallway, a shiver ran through me. Mr. Anderson loomed there in the entryway, and he was just staring at the door, no, so that’s how he had been a while ago: coming down the stairs with that stoic mask set hard.

“Ready?” Pure flatness.

I nodded, trying to brush off some of the lingering unease that my skin had picked up from e