A black swirling void. My own voice sounded distant, as if it were underwater, when I asked Bryan: “Are you sure?” “Yep. It’s never wrong,” he said. “Why? Who said it?” Sickening dryness overtook my mouth, and my stomach clenched. I was going to puke on Bryan’s office floor. No—no, I wasn’t. I was going to puke somewhere else. Somewhere safe. Somewhere away from people, a place private for the puking and fainting I was sure would occur as soon as I allowed it to happen. “Mina?” he asked. “You okay?” His words didn’t register. I shook my head, begging myself to remain dignified. The room was so hot. Sweltering. I had to leave right now. I rushed out of the room, not hearing A.J.’s singing, barely recognizing the shapes of the furniture I placed my hands on to help me keep my balance as I ran to the front door. It opened for me, and I crashed into Colt. “Sis?” he said, grabbing me by the arms. His smile immediately fell into a blank look. “Sis, what’s the matter?
