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CHAPTER 37
~Valerie's POV~
I exhaled and rubbed my forehead. The last thing I wanted was to put myself out there for someone like Emerald to be watchful of me. "Sorry. I didn't mean to zone out."
"You don't have to apologize," she said softly. "I get it. A lot happened today." She paused, studying my face. "I know you act tough," Emerald continued. "And you are tough. But that doesn't mean you always have to be okay."
I looked at her and chuckled softly. "When did you get so wise?"
Emerald grinned. "Been spending too much time with Nova's philosophy books."
We shared a laugh, and it helped, even for a moment. But after that, shit became awkward.
Although I had always had my eyes on Emerald and how she either supported or did not support me at times, I didn't want to shake my alliances right now.
"Umm…" Her eyes darted to my laptop, and before she got the chance to speak, I spoke too.
"Yeah, uh…"