Chapter 36: Lost

Sage found Nikolas in his room. She rapped her knuckles on the door and heard shuffling inside. A minute later, the door swung open.

He frowned at her.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” he said.

“Can we talk?” Sage asked.

Nikolas hesitated but stepped aside and let her pass. She walked inside, seating herself at the desk as he sat on the edge of the bed across from her.

Sage’s courage drained from her. What was she supposed to say? How could she bring it up without him becoming defensive? He gazed at her expectantly and the words she had built up on her march to him evaporated. She wanted to pull him into a hug, force him to remember their memories together.

She glanced at the burning rose on his windowsill. Nikolas didn’t know she had seen his matching one before, so she feigned surprise and started there.

“You have one, too?”

Nikolas nodded. “Matching pair for us.”

‘For us.’ Sage’s skin was turning clammy and cold.

“Where did you find them?” Sage asked.