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“Uh-huh. But you didn’t quit, so you should be proud.”

I sit with that for a moment. No one’s ever really telling me to be proud, only the shame I’ll feel if I don’t get something perfect.

“It’s not tough at least. Who knew folding was the trick?”

Even though he raises his eyebrows, Khaos replies in the least surprised way possible with a deadpanned, “Me.”

I chuckle before cutting off another bite of bread for myself. I baked. And yeah, it may not be the best, but at least it’s finished. Because I didn’t quit. Thanks to Khaos. He challenged me to persevere.

Accepting challenges is a lot more fun than following instructions.

For the first time, maybe ever, I let go of what I’m supposed to be doing and just live in the moment, appreciating where I’m at instead of always looking forward to where I’m going.

Maybe this is what I’ve been craving—freedom. I just never had the opportunity to realize it.

It’s after midnight when my phone vibrates with a text.

Shortly after our first bites of banana-and-eggshell bread, Khaos ran down to grab our phones as well as some towels. We’ve been sitting here, talking ever since.

Elbows on the counter, Khaos nods at my phone. “That him?”

I glance at the lit-up screen to see he’s right. It’s Guy.

Earlier, all I wanted was to hear from him, but right now, I couldn’t care less. I haven’t even thought about Guy in what? Hours?

Flipping my phone over so it’s face down, I shake my head.

Khaos stands up straight, his palms dragging against the white-and-gray countertop as he goes.

I lick my bottom lip.

“You know he’s gonna come over anyway, let himself in the front door like he lives here.”

“He didn’t last night.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

Onyx cradled between my hands, I shrug.

“Trouble in paradise?”

Is that hope I detect?

“No. It’s okay,” I make myself say. “A little time apart is fine. As soon as school’s out, we’ll be apart a lot more, so it’s…good practice. It’s fine.”

“Fine?”

“Mm-hm.” I even wear a smile for him. And me. It is fine. Guy and I will be fine.

“And why will you be apart when school’s out?”

“That’s when I start my job.”

“Doing what?”

“Cheer clinic. Basically teaching kids how to cheer better.”

“You’ll be good at that.”