Blythe Tatum expected her freshman year at university to be nerve-wracking, though nothing out of the ordinary. The beginning of her school year starts off as averagely as possible, though Blythe soon finds herself caught up in an unexpected and ine...
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"I have to get Jacob to confess. Tonight."
Zach stares at me cautiously. The only indication he gives of surprise is a slight raise of his eyebrows, signifying I have caught him off guard.
I turn to glance out of the large window next to me, studying the sky as the sun starts to disappear beyond the horizon. It's still daylight now, though the sun beginning to set indicates I am running out of time much too quickly.
I asked Zach to meet me off campus, deciding that it would be too risky to speak with him anywhere else. At this point, I can't risk Jacob spotting us together. Not with what I have planned.
"Okay," Zach agrees, nodding as he sets down his coffee atop the table. He gives me his undivided attention as he asks, "So what's the plan?"
"He needs to be drunk," I say. "He needs to be too out of it to be able to come at me. I can't risk anything like this again." I gesture to my bruised eye.
Zach winces, clenching his jaw as his gaze drops to the tabletop. I hate myself for doing this to him; for putting him through all of this. Yet I'm grateful he has agreed to help me for this long. He could have backed out, he could have left me alone to deal with all of this. Yet he has stayed. Somehow, I know he always will.
"Agreed," he mumbles. "What are you thinking?"
"Will's frat is having yet another party tonight to celebrate the game tomorrow," I remind Zach, "and obviously Jacob is going. We both know he'll drink. I'm going to need your help, though."
"Consider it done then." Zach shoots me a sly smile. "I'm ready for this to be over with. And to know you're safe."
"I'll have to get him back to his dorm. I want you to follow us. Make sure you keep your distance. Stay hidden."
"Then what?" Zach questions. "Are you just going to . . . confront him?"
"I know how to get the truth out of him." I stiffen. I don't want to share what I know I must do to get Jacob to admit what he did to Naomi. "I'll be recording everything. I just . . . I want you to be there. Outside of the door. Just in case."
Zach nods, studying me with knowing eyes. When he extends his hand across the table to me, I don't hesitate to take it in my own. He gives my fingers a gentle squeeze, reassuring me that I am not alone. It's comforting in the simplest of ways, merely knowing he is there for me when I need him.
I turn to glance out of the window once more, noticing that the sky has turned a deep shade of orange. A chill sets into my bones as I realize just how quickly the clock is ticking. There is only a matter of time to solve this mystery, and rid my life of the horror that is Jacob Beckham.
I rise from my seat, finally ready to face my demons.
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