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As I rounded the corner, I searched frantically for Grace Pushing the button for down, I pulled my phone out and sent Grace a text

Me: Hey Is everything okay? You disappeared onat my phone, I jumped when the elevator doors opened and Grace spoke

"Hey, I’m sorry I disappeared like that"

My eyes met hers as I searched them to see if she was okay "Grace, whatever my mother said to upset you, I’m so sorry"

Grace pulled her head back in confusion as she narrowed her eyebrows at ot a text from Alex, and I needed some air to think"

"To think?" I asked

Grace stepped off the elevator as I took a step back It didn’t take long for her to give me that smile that melted my insides "Yes, to think"

Grace’s smile faded as she looked intently in my eyes "Noah, I’m not really sure how to ask this, but, I have to ask"

Not knohere Grace was going with this, I sed hard and motioned for her to sit in the chair Grace sat and chewed on her botto h your head?"

Grace tookis wrong, I’ to your iven yourtears threaten to build, I closedmy eyes, I said, "About a month Maybe two"

Grace slowly nodded her head "Why isn’t yourquickly, I walked away from Grace Did she really honestly think I wanted to seehospital and not in her own ho me as I made my way to the elevator and hit the button for down The doors opened as I stepped in and Grace followed

Neither one of us said a word as we rode to the first floor The moment the fresh air hit my face, I sucked in a deep breath