"I Just Want My Partner-In-Crime Back."

"So, checked on Alistair yet?" Sophia asked Clarisse curiously.

Clarisse tensed.

"Yes, I have," she answered, pursing her lips.

"He's fine," she said, blatantly lying to Sophia's face. 

"He was just a tad bit under the weather," Clarisse managed to put on a convincing, small smile. 

Sophia nodded slowly, "Well, if that's the case… it seems like there's nothing to worry about." 

She looked out the window, seeing Nicholas and Ava. 

The curtains were drawn, so Sophia could get a better view of the two. 

Meanwhile, with Nicholas and Ava. 

"Why are we holding hands again?" Nicholas asked. 

"Because, I want to," Ava answered.

Nicholas shot her a look of exasperation.

"And?" 

"There's no 'and'," Ava answered wryly.

She had made him take a stroll in the gardens with her, and as Ava and he neared the lake, he had flashbacks of yesterday. Right before Sophia sprinted out the lakeside.