#Chapter 273: Let’s Run

“Nicholas? Who is it?” came a voice from within Nicholas’s room. A female voice. One I recognized. Bridget. My stomach shot into my throat so quickly, I thought I might be sick. Suddenly, before I could even think to react, the door opened, and Bridget was standing there. Nicholas was behind her, hand on the door like he had tried to stop her, but she dipped under his arm. “Oh. Piper! What a surprise! What are you doing so late?” Bridget’s tone was friendly enough, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that I was learning only appeared when she was particularly irritated. She must have been tired, as well, to let it show through so obviously. “I… uh…” I hadn’t been expecting to run into Bridget – or anyone other than Nicholas – tonight, so I didn’t have an excuse prepared. I wracked my brain. “I just wanted to… congratulate Nicholas… on his performance tonight.” The lie was weak, and I hated saying it. What did I even need an excuse for? Bridget was the one who needed an excuse!