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"No shit?" Sage laughed.
Seline's eyes widened as she shot Tyson a look of betrayal.
"She loves us too much," Tyson insisted with a shrug. "Can't leave."
"I'm touched," Harry noted with a genuine smile.
Seline made a face before fake gagging. "The only reason I turned it down is because Tyson was right: no one's going to put up with my BS like you guys. Plus, I'm not giving up morning runs to color work by douchebags who can barely tell a good story. Leisah's going to run circles around everything else at Harpy."
We all exchanged smiles when Seline continued to grumble under her breath. I chewed on my lip while I watched them, trying my best not to cry at how they all were willing to give up their night for me. Seline set up her phone with Sage's Bluetooth speakers. Harry was quick to aid with the cooking in the kitchen, dad mode activated. Tyson started clearing the flowers off the desk so they'd have space to draw.
I was itching to pitch in, not sure where I could be useful. Sage noticed and immediately shook her head.
"You're resting tonight," she said. "And once I get the line work done, I'm resting, too. We're taking naps on naps."
"That's going to be hard for me."
"I know." She nodded. "Which is why I invited one more person who might help you relax while we work."
I raised a brow. "Who?"
Sage nudged her chin toward the window. "She pulled in a few minutes ago. Told her she could sleep over if it came to it, and it looks like she took me up on the offer."
I went over to the window to find Amaya's flashy rental in the parking lot. She was struggling to unload a sleeping bag and her luggage while I laughed at how uncoordinated she was.
"She's supposed to be out of town," I said under my breath.
"I asked if she could fly in for one night." Sage joined my side at the window. "I told her you needed the support, that it was important. She agreed."
I let the tears flow this time. Amaya, with her sixth sense abilities, knew I was being emotional and looked up at the window. She waved when she saw us, cupping her hands around her mouth to yell.
"Are you going to help or watch in the background?" she asked. "It's giving Micheal Meyers energy. Think this goes without saying, but I'm not a fan."
I laughed and then looked back at Sage. "Thank you, for…all of this. It's incredible. You're incredible."
Sage nodded and made an 'okay' sign with her hand. She pressed it over my heart as she said, "I got you, Noah."
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sage
The night was the loudest and longest I'd ever experienced. I'd gotten so used to my apartment feeling big and echoey, but with everyone here, it felt smaller than I expected. I was surprised at how much I didn’t mind it, especially with Noah there, constantly brushing past me or smiling in my direction.
It took three times longer to complete her chapters than it usually would. I blamed it on the fact that everyone was far more interested in talking than getting work done, but for the first time ever, I didn't mind the chatter or slow pace. The excited voices of my co-workers and friends were a comfort I'd long taken for granted. I kept feeling a tightening in my chest when I remembered what Tyson told me, and how I was going to be saying goodbye to these people. I'd been so caught up in myself these past months, I hadn't taken the time to properly let anyone in. Now, just as I was getting better, it was almost over.
"All I said was the Six is the best thing to come out of any comic company since ever," Amaya shrugged like it was commonly agreed-on knowledge.
"Tell me she didn't just say that," Tyson begged.
"See?" Seline nodded in approval. "That's my kind of girl."
"You're going to start a war, Amaya," Noah warned with a laugh. She'd curled up on the couch with her friend while the rest of us were spread out between the dining table and desk.
I finished her chapter's line art a half hour ago. Since my chapter was already done and ready to be posted, I had more than enough time to sketch without aim. I'd chosen Noah as my subject. She was wrapped in blankets and the arms of Amaya, and my melancholy was muted anytime I looked at her and saw her calm smile.
It'd been terrifying to find her panicked yesterday, to imagine how hard she had to push herself, seeing how broken she had felt.
Art had that power over us. It was too beautiful to let go, but too dangerous to hold onto sometimes. Finding our way to the middle ground was thanks to the people around us.
