Page 141 of Queen of Fire (Raven's Shadow 3)
When I’d told my parents I was going to move to New York, my dad had been skeptical. He told me he’d support whatever decision I made, but he cautioned, “Rosie Posie, the saying isifyou can make it there. Not everyone can, okay? There’s nothing wrong with coming home.”
I had laughed when he said that because it was a ridiculous notion. I had spent nearly my entire life picturing myself as a stylish Sally Albright or a poised Charlotte York. I’d never, ever thought I’d go home.
But now I longed for the green hills of Tennessee and the peace and quiet.
Aiden was already there when I walked into our classroom. I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to look his way.
“Is everything okay?” Jess frowned when I took Logan’s seat by her, away from Aiden. I hadn’t updated the Peculiar Pub gang about our breakup. I’d spent so much time reliving every word and second over in my head, and it only hurt more when I told Alexa. I didn’t think I had the strength to rehash it all.
I shrugged. “I don’t really know.”
“Is everything okay between you and Aiden?”
I spared a glance at him but he wasn’t paying attention to me.
“We broke up.” I lowered my voice.
“Oh, Rosie,” she said softly, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged. “It was bound to happen.”
Tyler walked into the room and sat across from Jess, sending her a smile. When he began to rifle through his bag, I whispered, “Things are going good between you two, huh?” Jess hesitated. “You can tell me. I’m not going to break.”
She nodded. “Reallygood. He’s going to come meet my family over summer break.” I watched an involuntary smile spread over Jess’s face.
“I’m so happy for you, Jess,” I said genuinely.
“We’re planning on staying in the city for the summer, and I think Logan is too. We can egg Aiden’s place once you feel up for it.”
I smiled softly. “I’m actually going home.”
“Oh that’s great! You’ve been so homesick—this is exactly what you need. But you’ll be back in the fall, right? Because we’ve got that craft class together next semester, thank God.” When I shook my head, she straightened. “Rosie.You can’t go home … youloveNew York. You told me once you even loved theratshere. You can’t just leave because of him.”
“It’s not because of him.” I looked down at my hands. “It’s just time. I don’t think I can do it much longer.”
Logan walked into the classroom and frowned when he saw me in his seat. Jess sent him a look and nodded at the chair across from Aiden. Genuine fear flitted across his face before he relented.
“I thought Logan stopped being scared of him when we started dating.”
Jess scoffed. “Aiden could dress like a teddy bear, and Logan would still freak out.”
Ida walked in the classroom and faltered when she saw the change in seats. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away.
It was a double heartbreak. Ida had been the catalyst for my life the past two years. Her article had pushed me to move to apply to NYU. Her kindness and advice in office hours had emboldened me. But I’d been avoiding her since the fellowship email went out.
She stood at the front of the room, clasping her hands in front of her chest. She asked us to share our experiences with our final projects, what we’d learned. I tuned it all out, my gaze firmly on the table between all of us.
“Before I dismiss you all for the final time, I just want to say how much of a joy it was to facilitate this class. It’s not often I have so much talent in one place, and I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you all.” I looked up at this and her eyes met mine. I quickly looked away. “If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Have a great summer.”
The class shifted, gathering their things, and I moved as quickly as I could. The last thing I needed was a run in with Ida and Aiden. But just as I was about to rush out the door, Ida called out, “Rosie, can you hang back for a second?”
I grimaced and turned on my heel to stand at the head of the table by her.
“I just wanted to check in on you. I expected you to be practically living in my office as you worked on your final chapters.”
I bit my lip. “I got busy. You know how it is.”
She narrowed her eyes and nodded at the chair next to her. “Sit.”