Page 162 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

I glanced at Mom and Dad, and Dad let out a steady breath. “Dr. Jeffries wants Sofia transferred back to Allentown today.”

“Oh, shit.”

Yeah. Oh, shit.

“I’ll miss Cole’s gig,” I said, disappointment sitting heavy in my chest.

I’d known it was a likely possibility. But part of me had hoped this would all be a false alarm, that I could go home and spend the weekend with my boyfriend and friends before Monday rolled around.

One last weekend of normalcy before everything turned upside down again.

But the powers that be couldn’t even grant me that.

“Sofe, the gig doesn’t matter,” Aaron said.

“Yes, it does. It’s important to Cole. You have to make him go, Aaron. I mean it. Don’t let him do anything stupid, okay? Promise me.” When he didn’t answer, I added, “He needs it, Aaron. Cole needs to do this, and I need you to make sure he does.”

“Fine, okay. I’ll get him there.”

“Good.” A trickle of relief went through me as I grabbed my phone and opened our chat thread.

Me: Bad news—I have to go back to Allentown. But Aaron is going to go with you tonight and I can’t wait to hear all about it. xo

Cole: I’m coming up to see you.

Me: What? I thought you went home with the others?

Cole: I lied. I’ve been downstairs the whole time.

My gaze flicked to Aaron,and he smirked, but it was chased by devastation. “I told him to go home with the others.” He shrugged.

“Why don’t we give you and Cole some privacy,” Dad suggested. “I’m going to update Jase and Cameron.”

It felt weird that everyone knew the truth now. But in a way, it was also a relief. Like a crushing weight had been finally lifted.

They all gave me a kiss before leaving. Cole slipped into the room a second later.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.” I smiled weakly.

He came over to my side and sat down. Grabbing my hand, he leaned in close, inhaling a thin breath. “I don’t want to say goodbye,” he whispered.

“It’s not goodbye forever, Cole.”

I searched his eyes, hoping he could see that I planned on fighting this thing with everything I had. Because I had too much to live for.

“No, it’s not.” Steely determination glittered in his eyes. “Because I’m not done with you yet, Sofia. I have a whole life planned for us.”

“A whole life, huh?” Butterflies fluttered wildly in my chest. “Sounds serious.”

“Oh, it is.” He brushed his mouth over mine in the barest of kisses. “Late nights wrapped up in each other, lazy mornings in bed.”

“Are you saying you only want me for my body?”

He pulled back slightly to look at me. “Didn’t I already make it clear enough? I want your heart, body, and soul, Sofe. I want it all.”

“Cole…” Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “This is harder than I thought it would be.”

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