Chapter 60

Summer had gone from a person who was completely unnoticed to someone everyone paid attention to. With the air cleared between her and Henry, Sophia felt slightly more at ease. To solidify her position, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Henry on the corner of his mouth. 

Blushing, she looked at him and reaffirmed, "Henry, ever since I stepped off the train and arrived in this village, I've had nothing. I don't know anyone here, nor do I want to. All I have now is you. You'll never abandon me, right?"

Seventeen or eighteen years old, brimming with youthful vigor, Henry couldn't resist Sophia's charm. She was vulnerable, beautiful, and entirely reliant on him. 

Henry looked into Sophia's eyes and said, "Don't worry, I'll always protect you."

He then leaned down and kissed her lips, pulling her into his arms. Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes as she responded to his kiss.

***

After her confrontation with Henry, Summer ran back to the residence under the cover of night. As she entered the fenced yard, she slowed her pace, trying to calm her breathing. 

Inside the dormitory, she quickly washed up and lay on her bed, taking deep breaths to relax. She thought to herself, now that she had said those things to Henry, he would likely leave her alone. She wasn't worried about Logan. The enmity between Henry and Logan meant they hardly spoke to each other, so what she said to Henry wouldn't reach Logan's ears.

Of course, she didn't actually like Logan. She wasn't a masochist. With that in mind, she felt at ease and soon fell asleep.

When Lily and the others returned from the boys' dormitory, Summer was just dozing off. They didn't concern themselves with her but did wonder where Sophia had gone. Realizing both Sophia and Henry were still absent, they assumed they were spending time together and didn't worry further. 

The girls washed up and went to bed, falling into a deep sleep. No one knew when Sophia and Henry returned.

***

As the first rays of morning sunlight touched the fenced yard, the six little chicks in two coops began chirping loudly. Summer opened the dormitory door, yawning and carrying a washbasin. She went to the well to wash up and then prepared the morning meal for the chicks.

While Summer was chopping wild vegetables, Logan came out of the boys' dormitory. Hearing the door, Summer looked up and greeted him, "Morning."

Logan replied with a simple "Morning" and went to the well to wash up. Afterward, he also chopped wild vegetables and fed his chicks before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. 

Lifting the kitchen curtain, he saw Summer already tending the fire. He placed his bread on the stove and joined her, ready to light the fire.

To start the fire, he needed the softer grass, which was stacked near Summer. Instead of asking her to pass it, Logan leaned over and reached across her. 

Surprised by his sudden proximity, Summer instinctively shrank back, holding her breath. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Logan paused, looked at her, and smirked. "Getting kindling."

Realizing what he needed, Summer relaxed and scooted back, allowing him to grab the straw. Logan returned with the kindling, his face darkening. As he lit the fire, he mused to himself—so much for her claim of liking him. It took just a simple test to reveal the truth. Her reaction when he got close was devoid of any shyness or affection; it was pure wariness, as if she were ready to defend herself.

Sitting by the fire, Logan thought, **She must think I'm a fool.**