Cecilia's cheeks turned a deep shade of red , tears shimmering in her eyes as Theodore gently led her out of the room . Ms. Brown shot a fierce glare at Mr. Warren , as if this entire scene was somehow his fault . Then she turned to Emma . " So , what are your thoughts on this project ? We'll follow your lead ." " Please don't worry about me , Ms. Brown . Whatever you and Mr. Warren decide is fine by me . " Emma gave her teacher a playful wink . " You know me - I'm Little Linnet . I'll always find a way to soar . " Ms. Brown finally relaxed , letting out a sigh of relief . " That's more like it ! We only sat through all that melodrama because of you . We didn't want to break anything precious while swatting at a few mice . If you're alright with it , then I'm at ease . " The others weren't close to Emma or Theodore , so they'd kept their distance during the commotion . Now , hearing Ms. Brown's words , everyone seemed to loosen up , the tension in the room fading away . " Alright , let's get back to business ," Ms. Brown said with a warm smile , gathering everyone's attention . Emma spent a lovely evening at Ms. Brown's place . Everyone was welcoming , and by the end of the night , they'd all exchanged phone numbers . One girl , in particular - Serena Innis , a fellow dance major - stood out with her sunny disposition , radiating warmth and cheer like a little sunbeam . When it was time to head home , Sebastian insisted on driving Emma back and walked her all the way up to the sycamore tree outside her apartment building . Under the leafy branches , Sebastian looked a little nervous . " Emma ? " . " Hmm ? " Emma smiled at him . " Thanks for seeing me home . " But Sebastian hung his head , the picture of remorse , " I'm sorry . I shouldn't have exposed your personal business tonight without your permission . That was out of line . " He really had been upset - indignant on her behalf . Emma shook her head . What did that matter ? The people who truly crossed the line never once felt guilty about it . 1/2 11:52 Chapter 32 " It's nothing . It was bound to come out sooner or later . " Her split with Theodore was inevitable . If he hadn't kept refusing , they'd have been divorced by now . Emma's words seemed to spark something in Sebastian ; his eyes lit up again . " Emma , Little Linnet , I believe you'll fly higher than ever - even if your wings are battered . " Back in college , her nickname had been Little Linnet - her leaps and turns were so light and high , she looked like a bird in flight . All evening , hearing that old nickname had stirred something in her , bringing back memories of those days spent sweating through endless practice in the studio . " Emma ... " Sebastian called out as he was about to leave , then turned back to face her . " There's nothing shameful about an injured foot , or about scars on your legs . The only shame belongs to those who mock you . They're the ugly ones. Good people will always cheer for you ! Goodnight , Emma ! " With that , Sebastian spun around and dashed off , waving his arm in the moonlight as if to prove his words - good people really were cheering her on . Emma stood rooted to the spot , watching him disappear down the empty street . Her heart was in turmoil . It was the first time anyone had told her this : her scars were nothing to be ashamed of . The ones who should feel shame were those who ridiculed her . She had never confided in anyone about the pain of being mocked - not even her dearest grandmother . She'd never wanted to burden her with that sorrow . But how had Sebastian known ? " Still standing there? Can't bear to go inside ? " a voice called out from the shadows . She turned . Theodore stepped out from beneath the streetlight . " No wonder you keep bringing up divorce ," he said , looking completely different from the elegant man she'd seen at the party . Under the yellow glow , he looked tired , worn down . " You've got it wrong ," she replied quietly . " I only just met Sebastian. " But Theodore wasn't listening . " The flowers in our apartment - did he send them ? " Chapter 33 Chapter 33 " Yes . " Emma didn't bother to explain further .