“Aww! This is amazing.”
“I know, right? I thought you would be the only one to end up galloping off with your guy.”
Except … no galloping here. My memories are still angry protesters, screaming and raising picket signs, but my heart is running off without my consent. I study the pine trees out the window, trying to make sense of my thoughts. “God takes care of everything so much better than we could,” I say.
“It’s not like he cares about this thing with Leo,” Sophie says.
That pulls me back. “Of course he does.”
“You bring up God more than anyone else I know.”
“Thank you,” I say with feeling.
She snorts. “I didn’t really mean it like a compliment as much as just a fact, but sure.” She leans on her elbow. “Okay, but I do have a question though. Do you ever get like a strong feeling that you should say something?”
“Definitely.”
“Is that just like your gut, or do you think it can be God telling you to say it?”
So cool. Give me the words.
“Sometimes I know it’s God,” I say.
“Because…?”
“It can be hard to tell. I think the key is to get to know him so well from his Word that you know if it’s something he would say. Practice helps too. And I think we should always be cautious if we’re going to attribute a feeling to him. But absolutely, he gives us words to encourage each other. And sometimes to confront.” Oh. Like Mia a couple weeks ago. And Ayumi.
“Okay well, this isn’t really either, but I feel like I’m supposed to tell you that I talk to a counselor sometimes. Like on Zoom, ’cause she lives I don’t even know where. She started as a Christian trauma counselor or something but I talk to her ’cause I struggle with depression off and on.”
“Oh, Sophie, I had no idea.”
“I know. Anywho, I’m doing fine right now. But I said it, so”—she directs her gaze upward—“there ya go!”
Something stirs in me, wants to ask questions, but Sophie is already bouncing off.
You want me to know that Sophie has a counselor?
The mind of a person plans her way, but I direct her steps.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Sophie burrowsinto the corner of our lounge chair. We still haven’t figured out how to get cozy Flooders-style couches in here since the lounges come pre-furnished in this building.
I might need to escape to my room to focus enough to do my homework. I have to eke out every minute of study time I can, what with Sophie’s rigorous social calendar.
Her happy scoff is a dead giveaway that she’s texting Austin. How do I bring that up without making her defensive about Leo?
“Austin?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah.”
So much for that.
“Open Dorms tonight?” she asks.
“If they’re up for that.”
We just spent our sunny Saturday morning playing frisbee with the crew. In my case, it was far more of an attempt. I play along withwhat these obnoxiously athletic friends of mine want to do. After, we snuck our lunch out of Saga and hung out on the grass field too, so I doubt the guys will want to hang out again. Levi usually wants to get his floor time in, always intentional about his hours. Plus, those three guys have been up to something—they won’t say what, but I’d guess an elaborate prank. I overheard something about Home Depot.
