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Suddenly, from the back of the room, one clap broke the silence. Then two, and before long, everyone in the room was on their feet, clapping and showing their support for our bold decision. The deafening sound of applause filled the room, with not a hint of hesitation among them. It was a powerful moment of solidarity and determination.
When the applause finally subsided, it was Chase who broke the silence. He stood, his face lined with a mix of concern and pride. "I've always admired your courage, Courtney. We've missed you at Rosedale," he confessed, his voice carrying a note of warmth that was rare to hear from him. "But coming back to this, putting yourself on the line... it's beyond admirable. It's something few would dare to do. You've got our full support." He concluded, his glance darting around the room, effectively challenging anyone to disagree.
Everyone nodded, the energy in the room shifting from tense and grave to a more light-hearted atmosphere as they began to disperse, and conversations sparked back to life.
"Alright, enough of this seriousness," Guy said, his voice carrying an odd mix of gravity and humor. "Let's take this conversation to the porch. I believe the food is ready."
I stayed back a moment, watching everyone move toward the porch. Then, turning to Courtney, I nodded in the direction of the exiting group. "Come on," I encouraged, a small smile pulling at my lips. "Let's eat, talk, and figure out our next steps."
"I'm coming, I'm famished." Courtney giggled as I pulled her in for a hug.
"I'm so proud of you!"
Chapter Eleven
Courtney
The night was coming alive at Casa Palacious, where we found ourselves gathered on the veranda. An assortment of Mexican dishes lay before us, the alluring aroma of grilling carne asada and fresh cilantro enveloping us. The space was captivating, festooned with twinkling lights that lent a magical touch to our casual dinner setting.
"Could you pass the salsa?" I asked Ariel, who sat opposite me.
She flashed a gentle smile, handing me the bowl. "Sure thing, but you still owe me an answer about school," she teased, her inquisitive eyes showing genuine concern.
Her words hit hard, pulling me back to reality. A lump caught in my throat. My hand froze, inches from the tortilla chips. Instead, I busied myself, toying with the napkin in my lap. It kept my anxious fingers occupied.
I finally met Ariel's gaze with a deep breath to steady myself. "I withdrew," I revealed, my voice a mere whisper. "The plan is to go back after the new year."
"You withdrew?" Ariel echoed, her eyes widening with surprise. "And your dad?"
"Ah, that's... complicated," I confessed, my gaze dropping to the tablecloth. The idea of breaking this news to Dad, and facing his potential disappointment, was daunting. He had always been so protective, even more so after he heard about the alarming events at Rosedale. I couldn't bare the idea of lying to my father—again.
"I haven't told him yet," I admitted, my voice barely audible, as I looked back up at Ariel.
There was a moment of silence as Ariel held my gaze, her features softening. "Courtney, it's going to be okay," she said gently.
"I withdrew without a grade," I sighed, weary. "No penalty, midterms were weeks away." I tried to soften the blow of my news for my own ears as well as Ariel's.
"That should mean Dad gets a fair chunk of the tuition back when I tell him. I'm hoping... really hoping that might help him understand."
Ariel nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds like a well-timed decision, Courtney. Hopefully, he will understand. You know he loves you. He insisted you come home after the Rosedale saga dragged on and on."
"Yes. He's been so good to me." I hoped she was right. Shifting the conversation, I said, "I was majoring in graphic design. I loved it. Professor Kline taught the Introduction to Graphic Design class. He was disappointed when I told him about my decision. He won't be teaching that class next semester, and it... it kind of bummed me out. But with all that was going on, I couldn't concentrate. There was no reason to try to make things work so I could stay in Laramie."
Ariel's eyes conveyed understanding, offering a comforting nod. "It's a tough situation, Court. But remember, it's not the end, just a pause."
We moved on to talk about Ariel's writing, the ebbs and flows of our conversation carrying us deeper into the evening. The unyielding support and camaraderie of the group wrapped around me like a warm blanket, a comforting presence in my world of chaos and uncertainty.
The chatter around the table began to dwindle, replaced by an almost palpable sense of apprehension. Our usual laughter and easy talk had given way to the grim reality we were in. For a while, amidst the comfort of homemade food, we had forgotten about the impending danger. But it was a specter that couldn't be ignored for long.
The twinkling fairy lights overhead suddenly seemed less inviting as Giuseppe cleared his throat to claim our collective attention.
"Courtney," he said, his tone heavy, concern etching deeper into his face. My heart pounded nervously against my ribs. "Your safety is paramount," Giuseppe insisted, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of his words. His voice cut through the cozy atmosphere, a harsh reminder of our situation.
I met Giuseppe's gaze, acknowledging my appreciation for his help and protection. "Thank you, Giuseppe," I conceded, pushing past the lump in my throat. "There is no other way than to confront this."
Clint was the lurking threat casting a shadow over my once normal life. Yet, I couldn't shake the fact that Brad and I had come to the right conclusion. The solution wasn't to run or hide, but we had to face this head-on to get a read on Clint's intentions.
Until now, Brad had been a silent observer, his brooding gaze alternating between his untouched food and the tense conversation. But his voice, when he finally spoke, was a grounding force. "And we'll stand by you, Courtney, through it all." His tone was as solid as bedrock, a testament to his unwavering resolve. As his hand reached across the table to rest lightly over mine, the electric warmth of his touch ignited another spark of courage within me.
