Just waiting to believe.”
Her voice wavered, and without thinking, I joined her.
“You said someday we’d find our light again,
But the days don’t wait their turn.
Every truth feels half-forgotten now,
And I’m running out of dreams to learn.”
Hazel lifted her phone, recording quietly.Lillian had gone still.Margo’s eyes glistened, but she was smiling, really smiling, as the sound of our voices filled that sterile room until it didn’t feel like a hospital anymore.
When the last note faded, the silence that followed wasn’t heavy.It was full.
“That,” Margo said, her voice small, “was amazing.”
I swallowed hard.“You’re amazing,” I said honestly.“You made that song come alive again.”
Hazel smiled softly.“Looks like you’ve got a duet partner now.”
“Guess so,” I murmured, and for the first time in a long time, I meant it.And seeing how my response made Margo beam only made everything feel right.
When I left the room an hour later, I felt lighter than I had in weeks.
My problems weren’t gone.Paxon was still a situation I didn’t know how to navigate.College still loomed ahead, uncertain and intimidating.
But standing beside that girl, singing something that had once come from my pain and seeing it bring someone else peace.
It reminded me of what mattered.
Chapter Sixteen
Once I got home, Ibarely made it past the kitchen before I heard the knock.Three raps.Slow and hesitant.
I froze, an uncomfortable awareness falling over me.The air suddenly felt a bit too charged and the hairs on my arms stood on end.The same feeling I got before I had to face the dangers of Lindie.I thought about pretending I wasn’t home except my car was out front and before I came in, Bebe had meandered over and greeted me.All signs pointed to me being home.
