<b>Chapter 132 </b>
“Be careful out there–the ground’s slick!”
“I know, I know. You go on and get some rest.” Alessia waved a hand without looking back and headed off down the street.
Halfway there, the rain began to patter down–gentle at first, but steady enough to soak through if you weren’t careful.
“Oh, great. Rain.”
“I brought an umbre! Come on, let’s walk together.”
Students trickled out of the academic building, clutching their bags and huddling under whatever cover they could find. Six stood by the door, staring out at the rain as it picked up.
“Six, you didn’t bring an umbre?”
“Nope. Forgot.”
“I didn’t either, but my mom’sing to pick me up. Want to ride with us?”
“No, it’s fine.” Six hoisted his backpack over his head for cover.
“Isn’t your moming for you?”
He didn’t answer. He hated talking about his personal life.
“I’ll get going, then.” Six was about to step out into the rain when a voice called his
name.
“Six!”
He paused, ncing up to see Alessia striding through the rain, holding an umbre and carrying a spare.
“Six, who’s that? Is she your sister? She’s so pretty!”
“Yeah.” He watched Alessia approach, giving a half–hearted reply.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, taking the umbre she handed him.
“Came to walk you home.”
Six pressed his lips together, his pupils tightening. He couldn’t remember thest time he’d heard the word “home” spoken to him.
<b>11</b><b>:</b>551
<b>Did </b><b>he</b><b>… </b><b>really </b>have a home now?
<b>“</b><b>Let’s </b>go.” Alessia started forward, then noticed he was still <b>standing </b><b>there</b><b>. </b>
“Yeah.” He hurried to catch up, but after a few steps, he stopped and looked <b>over </b><b>his </b>shoulder at his ssmate.
“My family’s here to pick me up, so I’ll head out first.”
“See you tomorrow!” His ssmate grinned, waving.
“See you tomorrow.” Six mimicked the gesture, a shy smile on his face.
By the time they reached the clinic, the rain had stopped. Alessia folded up her umbre and pushed open the door.
“You’re back?” Xander called, stepping into the hallway.
Alessia ced Six’s umbre in the stand by the door. “Yep, we’re back.”
“I’m home,” Six said quietly.
The rainy season… it seemed it had finally passed.
“Six, what are you doing sitting by the door? Come in before you catch cold,” Xander fussed, snapping Six out of his thoughts.
“Coming.” Six stood, brushed off his clothes, and followed them inside.
Outside, the rain had started up again, pouring even harder as Alessia and Zachary waited at the bus stop.
Suddenly, Alessia’s phone rang. She gave Zachary a quick nod before stepping aside to answer.
“Lessie, just like you said, Fitch is online trashing thepany. It’s already trending. Should we go into damage control?”
“Let him rant a little longer. What about Tristan and the others?”
“Tristan’s on his way, Liam’s still training at the studio.”
“Good. Call Vera to pick me up–I’ll head over now. Get everyone from PR together; we’ll meet in half an hour.”
“Should I notify Mr. Whitley?”
Alessia hesitated. “No, let him rest. He just wrapped up that big project.”
“Alright, I’ll have Vera pick you up now.”
<b>2/3 </b>
<b>11:55 </b>
<b>Chapter </b>132
<b>She </b>ended <b>the </b><b>call </b><b>and </b><b>slipped </b>her <b>phone </b><b>Into </b><b>her </b><b>bag</b>.
<b>“</b>Everything okay<b>?</b><b>” </b>Zachary asked.
<b>“</b>Just a work thing. I won’t be heading home with you.”
“Is it serious? Anything I can help with?” Concern clouded his face.
“It’s nothing big. Someone wille get me soon. I won’t be home tonight, <b>so </b><b>let </b>Mom and Dad know for me, will you?”
When had it started–needing to check in about her ns like this? The words surprised even Alessia as she spoke them.