Knock. Knock. Knock.
My head lifted toward the door.
"Zayn?" Dean's voice came softly through the wood.
"Zayn, it's us," Nantam added.
I hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Come in."
The door opened, and the two of them stepped inside. One glance at Nantam told me everything, guilt weighed heavy in his eyes, as though he carried Nicki's words on his own shoulders.
Dean spoke first. "Zayn, Nantam and I came to apologize for Nicki's reaction earlier. Please forgive him. You know how Nicki is, stubborn, sharp-tongued. He doesn't mean half of what comes out of his mouth."
I looked between them, then shook my head gently. "It's okay. And Nantam, you don't have to feel bad for what Nicki said. I'm not angry with him. I just… wish he'd try to be nicer to me." I let out a small sigh. "But that's gone now. Let's forget it."
Relief softened Nantam's face as he whispered, "Thank you."
