Ms. Hendrix leaned back in her chair, studying him with quiet concern.

  Ms. Hendrix: “This must’ve been an interesting week. You look relaxed, but emotionally exhausted. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Thomas: “I was at the bookstore on Saturday. An Indian man came in with his two kids looking for books on cricket—he wanted to teach them the game. So I arranged for a place where he and his boys can actually play.

  Then I attended my first adult SBSO dinner. I stayed outside, mostly observing, but… they want to get to know me.

  Yesterday I told Shoshana what I’ve come to understand about Summa Theologica—not the ideas themselves, but the way Aquinas explores ideas. That’s what SBSO is looking for, and they confirmed it. So I’ll be doing my write-up tonight.

  “But the big thing is… I’m going to be staying at Shoshana’s house for Thanksgiving.

  “Oh—and in two weeks, I’m supposed to give the talk about my eighth-grade experience.”

  Ms. Hendrix held up a hand.

  Ms. Hendrix: “Just—give me a minute. I need to process all of that.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  A few moments passed. She exhaled slowly.

  Ms. Hendrix: “Wow. That is a busy week. But let’s focus on the last two things. The Thanksgiving stay. Ruth left me a message saying this scared you.”

  Thomas (very quietly): “Yes.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Are you afraid everything might fall apart if something happens between you and Shoshana? Given your past—given your position now—that’s a reasonable fear. Even if everyone tells you otherwise.”

  Thomas: “You could say that.”

  She nodded gently.

  Ms. Hendrix: “I can see the fear. But sometimes life isn’t about getting rid of fear—it’s about finding the right amount of it. Ruth wanted me to remind you that in the Bible, when ‘fear’ refers to God, it often means reverence—the awareness of danger, the understanding that something must be approached carefully, the way you’d approach a king.

  “From everything I’ve heard, you’ll be fine. It will be fine. Look—your middle-school crush was sweet, but from what I understand, you were mostly friends who kissed. There wasn’t the pull you’re feeling now, four years later. Not with everything else happening in your life.

  “And your life has been turned upside down this past month. It must feel like being strapped to a rocket chair. Anyone would be overwhelmed. You still have school, and you’re also navigating your friendship with Veronica.”

  Thomas: “You could say that.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Still—you’re coming along. And the talk in two weeks will be good for you, even if it feels scary. It didn’t blow up in your face with Veronica. And from what I hear… even if it does, Veronica’s there for you.” She gave him a half-smile. “Though her dad might have you two married on the spot.”