"Oh man, I'm totally freaking out," Ayla said with a shaky laugh. "Just keeping it all bottled up inside."
That helped lighten the mood a bit. Reyes chuckled, and even Zayden looked a little less serious.
"You'll be fine," Liam said to comfort her. "We've got your back. You're safer here than anywhere else."
Ayla took a deep breath to calm down. "So, what should I do about Emma?"
"Just be her friend," Aylin replied casually. "That's it. Hang out together, go to class together, study together, and live your normal college life. Just remember, her dad's dangerous. You can't let him suspect you know anything."
"What if she starts asking about you?" Ayla looked at Aylin. "She's already curious about my family. Sooner or later, she'll want to meet my sister."
"Just say I live far away," Aylin suggested. "Or that I travel a lot for my job. Make it believable. No need to cut Emma out or avoid her; that'll just look suspicious. Just keep some distance."
Ayla nodded. "I can do that."
