The Edge Of Surrender

Chapter 5

“So…” Lily’s voice trails off as she pretends to fold her sheets, sneaking glances at me. She’s wearing a cute yellow night suit patterned with sunflowers, complete with a matching headband. It’s clear she wants to ask something but keeps hesitating, like a child unsure if they’ll get scolded.

I sigh, turning away from my books to face her. “Hi, Lily. How can I help you?”

She laughs, tossing the sheets onto her bed before sitting down next to mine. “Tomorrow’s Friday,” she says, her tone suggesting she’s trying to lead me somewhere with this obvious fact.

I wait, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, so, all of my friends are going to Club Montana tomorrow, and I was hoping you could come with us,” she blurts out, smiling, though it’s obvious she’s bracing herself for my refusal.

“Lily…” I start, already thinking of an excuse, but she clasps her hands together in front of me, pleading.

“Please, Aless, pretty please? Everyone’s been asking about you, and I still feel bad about that whole initiation thing. Let me make it up to you! I promise I’ll be a better friend.” Her big, imploring eyes are so hard to resist, but I try anyway. I haven’t been sleeping well lately, and it’s messing with my focus. I can’t afford to lose focus if I want to be a good doctor someday.

“Also, Mason’s been bugging me to introduce you two,” she adds, wiggling her eyebrows as if this is either the best idea in the world or the worst.

“Mason?” I ask, starting to pack away my books and pens.

“He’s a sophomore, and also my second cousin. He saw you in a group picture and has been begging me to introduce you ever since,” she explains. I should be intrigued, but instead, a certain tall, tattooed brute comes to mind, making me shake my head to clear the thought.

“If I say yes to the club, will you let me be? And I’m not interested in relationships right now, okay? I’m too busy with classes,” I warn her.

She laughs and throws her arms around me, almost knocking me over with her enthusiasm. “It’s just meeting new people, Aless! Relationships can wait,” she yells, snuggling closer.

Later, after Lily has fallen asleep, I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing. Sleep continues to elude me. I sigh, reaching for my phone to check the time—1:30 AM. The pills aren’t working anymore; I’ll need to call my doctor about upping the dose, though I doubt she’ll be thrilled with the idea.

I sit up in bed and gaze out the window. The moon is especially beautiful tonight, its light beckoning me. A short stroll around the campus should be fine. I grab my phone, earphones, and running shoes, and slip out of the dorm quietly. It’s a bit risky walking around this late, but the campus security is tight, and I can always run back if I need to.

I swipe my student ID to unlock the door and step out into the cool night air. The breeze feels refreshing against my face, and my sweatpants and sweatshirt keep me warm. This walk should be just what I need to tire myself out, allowing me to finally get some sleep.

As I wander, lost in the tranquility of the night, a creeping sensation washes over me—the feeling of being watched. I quicken my pace, glancing around nervously. I’m about to break into a run when a strong, muscular hand grabs me, pulling me into the shadows. My back hits the cold brick wall, and before I can scream, a calloused hand covers my mouth. My eyes widened in fear as I looked up, only to meet those familiar faces, but his eyes were the color of blue with the shade of grey. He feels different than yesterday and this morning, something is going and I'm not sure how I feel about it. It's scary and enthralling to know that he might be someone else, it's like having three different personalities. I must be crazy to think he is not one but three different people. Somewhere deep down it doesn't scare me as it should.