~Sophie's POV~
I turned away abruptly, my heels biting into the pavement as I headed straight for the road. The cold air scraped against my skin, but I barely felt it. I lifted a hand, hailing the first taxi that slowed, and yanked the door open before it came to a full stop. The moment I slid inside, the door slammed shut behind me with a hollow thud that echoed my pulse.
My phone was already in my hand.
My fingers flew across the screen, clumsy with urgency as I typed.
Sophie > Tessa: What's wrong? Are you okay?
I hit send and stared at the screen, waiting. The seconds stretched, each one pressing heavier against my chest. The little "delivered" mark sat there, unmoving. No reply followed. Not even a typing bubble.
My chest tightened.
The air felt suddenly thin, like the taxi had shrunk around me. I shifted in my seat, glancing down at my phone again, then up at the road, then back to the screen as if staring hard enough would force a response to appear.
