#Chapter 14 The Talk

Zoe closed the gap between us and smiled. “Can we talk?” she asked, motioning outside. I nodded, unsure of what to say. We walked out into the slightly breezy night. I pulled Noah’s jacket more tightly around me, suddenly glad that he gave it to me—but I wouldn’t tell him that. We stood right next to the exit, within sight of any guards on duty. “So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked. Zoe’s eyes darted around to our surroundings, as though she was not certain where to start. “I wanted to thank you for your kindness on the day of my return,” she finally said, looking me in the eye. “I didn’t expect to receive such a warm reception. To be honest, I thought that I might be…exiled.” She breathed out the last word, too scared to say the taboo concept too loudly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and blushed. “You have made this transition so much easier than I expected it to be, and I just…I can’t thank you enough.” To say that I was surprised by Zoe’s words would