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He looked down at me, waiting. I wasn’t sure what to say. What could I say that would encompass all the emotions rushing through me?

“Thank you,” was all I could manage.

He nodded again, before I decided to go back inside. It was easier than wondering what to do next, or how to feel. I made the long walk back through the tunnel in a daze, still coming down from that natural high.

“Where have you been?” Alina called out as soon as she saw me.

She came running, and it was clear from the way her eyebrows nearly met over the bridge of her nose that she was furious.

“I was… outside,” I mumbled, gesturing down the tunnel. “Pierce took me for a flight.”

She let out a huge sigh and relaxed. “That’s why your hair looks like you just went through a hurricane. I’ll help you brush it out back in your room.” She took my hand.

I pulled away. “No. I’ll do it. I want to be alone right now.” I couldn’t have her with me while I was trying to process everything.

It didn’t even occur to me until I was back in my room with my hairbrush caught in a snarl that I had forgotten all about my plan to cozy up to Pierce while I was out there.