Twenty-Five

I was left staring at Cody, speechless. My heart was beating so fast that I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. The air in the room felt so dense that I could barely breathe. My face was burning like a million suns were shining upon me. I didn't know what to think or say. I just stood there, hesitant. Was I dreaming?

I looked at Rye, who was looking at me with concern. I turned to Cody, who was still looking at me like I was his next meal.

"Miss Harper?" Cody said, looking at me.

"Yes," I finally answered. I looked at Rye,then Cody, then Rye, then Cody again.

Rye's eyebrow shot up. "You two know each other?" he asked.

Before Cody could say something, I blurted out, "Yes, Sir. We were friends in college. We both went to Berkeley."

"Oh," Rye remarked, though he ……