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It’s like nothing could break her – not completely at least

Her face softened when she realized how intently I was studying her "Smile for me, Derek Novak," she pleaded, as she wrapped her arave me a quick peck on the lips "Co all around you, but this moment is ours This one moment… I want to see you smile"

I couldn’t voice the words out, but I was fascinated by her "How do you do it, Sofia?"

"Do what?"

"Not hold grudges? It’s like you’re iive so easily?"

I wished I hadn’t asked the question because the atmosphere immediately felt a lot heavier A frown then estured for hher until her feet were planted on the floor

She wet her lips and forced a se-free you know I visited Aiden yesterday I don’t knohy it’s so hard for ive him for what he did, but it is He’s broken my heart so many times, and he’s not supposed to He’s h andto decide that she’d had enough of the melancholy She stared up atabout you, Derek Novak… that et your nuainst me What is it about you?"

I raised a brow at her, unable to keep the grin fro on my lips "I think it’s the charm You can’t resist rabbed the front of my shirt and pulled it upward so she could look at my stomach "I’m pretty sure it’s your abs" She nodded as she stared at my torso "Yeah… definitely those abs"

"I knew it You just want o ofwhen you would finally figure that out Good thing you’re too in love with me to care"

I couldn’t keep the smile from my face "I missed this, Sofia" I couldn’t reht-hearted banter or even just a good laugh with her Now that ere having it, I felt like such a fool for being so consuet that she’sseeround?

She smiled and nodded at me "I know I missed this too, but seriously, Derek…" She drew closer to ive you, because froave you my heart, you never once broke it"

"And I never will" The words came out instinctively, and I e of the dreah my mind It wasn’t the first ti violet eyes Now completely aware, I reinal vahter, and I kneithout a doubt that she was trouble Holding Sofia close, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread over what the drea myself from Sofia

I couldn’t understand theether No dreaoing to allow it

"I have an idea," I told Sofia "Let’s spend the day together I’ll call everything off…"

I could see delight spark in her eyes at the suggestion "Can we actually do that?"

I shrugged a shoulder "Why not? I’ of The Shade What could they possibly do to s?"

She was about to open heron her bedroom door

"Sofia?!" a male voice from behind the door called out "It’s Gavin Open the door!"

He sounded alarmed I was annoyed that Sofia and I were interrupted "Is he always this de and impatient?"

"Yes" Sofia nodded "But I think it’s mostly because he doesn’t know you’re here"

Gavin had been like a brother to her since she met him in The Shade There was a time when I even found myself jealous over how close they were Of course, Sofia was quick to reassure me that Gavin didn’t pose a threat to e had

I made my way to the door and pulled it open just as Gavin was about to start banging on it once again When he saw istered in his eyes

"Oh, it’s you I didn’t know you were here" He quickly recovered fro hi to h, because everyone’s looking for you"

"What’s going on?" Sofia’s fists clenched as she shifted her weight fro The other covens are corimly "It’s war"

Chills ran up my spine, acco for, and yet, now that it had arrived, I couldn’t help but admit to myself that ere nowhere near prepared As I ran off to what felt like absolute death, I forgot to do the : kissto be alright