Page 53 of Swan

Mon stepped right up to me, and Maya squeezed my hand again while I gripped hers back.

“It’s normal for your eyes to water,” Mon said.

I hummed, not daring to move as she got close to my face with the pointy end.

“Three, two, one.”

The sharp stab of pain was there and then gone as my eyes watered and my nose throbbed a little.

“Just slipping the stud in, and… we’re done.” Mon grinned and shifted to the side. “Take a look.”

I slipped off the table as Maya said, “Love that stud. It’s beautiful.”

In front of the mirror, I saw the green gem shining at the side of my nose, which was a little red. Leaning in, I smiled at my reflection.

“I love it.”

“Yay,” Mon said.

I caught Maya’s two thumbs up and big smile behind me.

Turning, I pulled my phone out and asked, “How much?”

“Let’s head out the front, and we’ll figure it out.” When I walked by Drake’s room, I heard voices behind the closed door, but I couldn’t make anything out.

In the waiting area, Mon went behind the desk as Maya kept smiling and looking at my nose.

“Looks amazing,” she said.

“I’m glad I got it.”

“Huh,” Mon said.

“What?” Maya asked.

“There’s a note here saying it’s already paid for.”

Wait, what? “From who?” I asked.

“I think it was Dragon. Looks like his handwriting.”

Drake.

“I’ll have to give him the money, then. How much was it?”

Maya snorted and Mon huffed.

“What?”

Mon said, “You think he’ll let you? Girl, I wouldn’t bother. Take the gift and say thanks when you see him next.”

Sighing, I nodded and tucked my phone away. Friends did things like this all the time. It didn’t matter that it was Drake. He was just being nice.

When I glanced up, I caught Maya staring at me.

“Something wrong?”

She shook her head and smiled. “Nothing.”

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