Linli hesitates. “I hope not,” she says, but there’s an underlying grimness to her voice, as if she’s already accepted that’s the case.

We arrive to the choir room, and my eyes immediately lock on Rosie, who’s standing protectively in front of Sofia.

Matt turns at our entrance. His face is bright red and his forehead is bulging with thick veins. “Oh, great, more people. Are we having a tea party? Jesus Christ, Sofia. You just love attention, don’t you?”

“I didn’t ask anyone to come,” Sofia says, her voice trembling.

Some of my anger dissipates at the sound of her voice, replaced by concern.

“Get a hint, you absolute waste of space,” Linli says, marching forward without pausing. I’m taken off guard by her confidence but then remember this is why we cast her as the main character in the first place—the way she commands every stage. “How many times have we told you to leave Sofia alone?”

Matt scowls. “You know she’s lying, Lin. I never cheated on her. I—”

“Bro, shut the fuck up,” Linli says, holding up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Leave Sofia alone, or I’m going to get my dad involved, and I promise you’re not going to like it when he slams you with a restraining order. I wonder how Cornell will feel about that. I can’t imagine it’ll look good. Maybe they’ll even rescind your early admission.”

Matt’s face drains of color. “Lin, come on.”

Linli raises an eyebrow. “Fuck. Off. I mean it, jackass.”

A moment that feels like an eternity passes before Matt finally backs down, turning away from us to gather his stuff. He’s grumbling under his breath, words too quiet to make out, but when he leaves for the exit, passing by me, I hear him calling Sofia a bitch.

Wow. What a piece of shit.

My foot pops out, and he stumbles over it, sprawling onto the floor.

“What the fuck?” he says, but I don’t give him a second look, shutting the door behind him.

Linli rushes over to Sofia, enveloping her in a tight hug. “I’m sorry, Sof. Are you okay?”

Sofia nods, wrapping her arms around Linli’s neck. “Yes, I’m—yes. Jesus Christ, he’s such an asshole. But I’m okay now. Thank you for coming.”

I release a sigh of relief, leaning against the doorway. “I’m so sorry you had to deal with that, Sofia. Thank God you’re all right.”

Sofia offers me a watery smile before burying her face in Linli’s hair. “I’m just glad he’s gone.”