One Last Hope

Chapter 31

⭐“Now close your eyes, and please understand that you are still young, and the universe is endless, and somehow, everything will be okay.”⭐
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Nicolae takes my hand.

Nicolae: "I hope I was able to relieve some of your anguish."

Nora: "I just needed to get it off my chest. Thanks for being there for me."

Nicolae: "I'm glad I was able to help! You can tell me anything. It was really worrying to see you at dinner. I usually enjoy your chat!"

I stare at him, arching my eyebrow.

I could take offense, but I find the remark quite sweet.

Nora: "How would you all cope without me?"

Nicolae: "Maybe we couldn't..."

We remain silent for a moment. The discussion seems to have come to an end.

Nicolae: "You know that you can count on us from now on. On campus, Drogo and Peter can step in at any time if there's trouble."

He's trying too hard to reassure me. It's almost freaking me out.

Nora: "Don't worry, I got this. This girl doesn't scare me at all. It's just that I'm not used to it."

Nicolae: "Didn't you have people who didn't like you where you lived before?"

Nora: "Not really..."

Nicolae: "I'm not worried about this. I know you'll sort it out."

Nora: "Yeah. I'm still not sure whether to kill her with my bare hands or poison her from a safe distance... Maybe I should ask Lorie what she thinks?"

Nicolae gives me a sharp look and his body stiffens. Obviously, he doesn't appreciate my humor.

Nora: "It's okay, I'm kidding!!"

He clears his throat.

Nicolae: "Hum... Very funny."

Okay... I need to note that Nicolae doesn't have the same sense of humor as me!

I suddenly see little Lorie in my doorway.  She's staring at me. It looks like flames are dancing in her eyes. If looks could kill...

I don't know if I should be worried or not. It's true that from where she is standing it would be easy to misinterpret what I just said to Nicolae.

I know how possessive and jealous she is when it comes to her brothers...

Nora: "Lorie!"

Her face changes in a flash as Nicolae turns to her.

Nicolae: "Ah, there you are! We were looking for you earlier..."

She shrugs her shoulders.

Lorie: "I don't need to come to the table now that she knows who we are!"

Nicolae: "It's still nice to spend time together."

She gives him a sulky nod.

Lorie: “All right, I'll make an effort. But it's only so I can be with you, Drogo and Peter.“

Message received, you little brat!

Although we clearly haven't done talking, Lorie comes over and sits on her brother's lap. He holds her in his arms and kisses her on the top of her head.