Page 4 of Colton

“Uh,” I scratch the back of my head, my mind going blank suddenly, “soon?”

Sophia lifts a brow. “Reassuring,” the sarcasm coats her words, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Why don’t you reach out to Ms. Founding Daughter, and finally get started on it? If you wait too long, I won’t be able to help you with it, at all.”

A small groan slips me. “I also need to drop by the Dean’s office to gather the materials, since he’s distributing them. I haven’t made an appointment yet, though.”

Sophia lifts a brow. “So? His working hours are eight in the morning, to three in the afternoon. Even after his working hours, he spends a lot of time in his office. There’s no need to make an appointment when he’s just… there.”

“Didn’t someone try that last year and get in trouble?”

Sophia ponders the question, then shrugs. “No clue. I just drop by whenever I need something. Isn’t that his job, though? If you need anything, he’s the person to go to. If you’re too shy, I’ll go and get the materials from him.”

“No need,” I interject, the words falling from my lips a little too quickly for my liking. Sophia either doesn’t notice the desperation in my voice, or she pretends not to. However, I’m grateful she doesn’t comment on it.”

“Fine, then the best time for you to go is between seven and nine in the evening, while everyone is at the cafeteria having dinner. That’s his tea time.”

I frown. “Tea time?”

“The man’s obsessed with tea,” Sophia snorts. “I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention when you were visiting his office, but he has a full shelf of tea. So, that’s when you should go.”

“Am I going to get in trouble if I go that late, without an appointment?”

“If you do, let me know. I’ll take the blame.”

The way she says it so nonchalantly, yet honestly makes me smile. Sophia may have a stoic personality most of the time, but there’s no doubt that she cares for her friends, in her own way. She’s someone I can always count on having my back.

“Should I go tonight, then?”

Sophia shakes her head. “No, not yet. Go this Friday.”

“Any particular reason why?”

“Yeah,” she nods. “The Dean always finishes everything work related by Thursday, then he takes the Friday to enjoy his tea. So, at the moment, he’s swamped and would probably be rather snappy. Just wait for Friday.”

“You seem to know his schedule to the last detail. Should I be concerned?”

“Hey, keep your friends close, your enemies closer.”

“I highly doubt Colton St. James is your enemy, Sophia,” I drawl out, a small chuckle mingling with the words.

“Let me give you some friendly advice,” Sophia snaps one of the books shut, and I jolt. “Everyone’s an enemy until proven otherwise.”

My brows narrow. “Did you just twist the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ to fit your narrative?”

A proud smile tugs on the corners of her lips. “Precisely. Thank you for noticing.”

“You’re impossible,” I laugh.

Sophia follows suit, and I can see some of the tension leaving her face. Sophia’s been pushing herself too hard, and I know that it’s not healthy. However, she’s as stubborn as a mule, and any attempt to tell her to relax, or take a break, will be met with resistance. This is all I can do for her, for now.

Until she asks for help, that is.

Though, the chances of her asking for help are slim to none. That’s just the way Sophia is. Even when she turns her attention back to the books in front of her, her shoulders are no longer tense, and her posture isn’t rigid. She seems to have an easier time now, and I can’t help but smile.

She’s someone precious to me, and I’m forever grateful to have met her during my first year at the Academy. I don’t think I would’ve survived had it not been for her.

With a sigh, I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom for a much needed shower. It’s only Tuesday, and waiting for Friday seems like an eternity away. Gosh, the thought of seeing Colton when he’s a little more relaxed makes goosebumps flood my body. It’s excitement, and I know that is not what I should be feeling.

Yet, here we are. My mind and soul focused entirely on seeing him.