Chapter 21

[Cordelia]

“Cordy, what’s wrong?” I look up to see Tilly watching me. Seeing her look of concern I almost start to cry.

“Nothing,” I lie. “I just… I just saw Atlas is here with…her.”

I don’t need to tell Tilly who. She and I have had enough late-night cry sessions to know exactly why seeing them together might make me upset.

“If you want, we can leave,” Tilly suggests, picking up her coat. “I don’t want you to suffer…”

“No,” I insist, wiping my tears away. “See, I’m fine. In fact, I think I’m going to go over there and say hi.” I try to appear pleasant, but inside I am angry, sad, and frustrated. I am feeling it all at once.

It's worse than going through puberty. I’d almost rather be a confused teenager again. Maybe if I go over there, be direct, and stop hiding in the corner, I can feel more like a grown-up in control of her life.

“Atlas,” I smile as brightly as I can manage while on the verge of tears. “And Sydney! I just saw you two over here and wanted to say congratul