Jessie Kensington thought she had escaped her troubled past when she faked her death and started a new life as Violet Arrowood. But three years later, she finds herself at Vanguard University on a scholarship, trying to build the future she always d...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't driven by tonight. I was pissed about the hold up— irritated that my promise to Georgie for our movie night plans were being ruined because of stupid traffic. Every month Cass, Ted, Reggie, and I pile into my car for our movie night with Georgie and we have never missed it. So I decided to detour down the back of the university. It's a longer route, but at least it felt like I was doing something to speed things up.
If it hadn't been for the traffic and me losing my patience, Blue might have—
"Fuck!" I slam my fist into the sidewalk next to Blue. She flinches, "I'm sorry," I huff, my voice coming out strained and broken. The thought of her being hurt, the thought of her leaving– it fucking burns more than it should. I barely know the girl but I know that I need her—no, not need... But ugh.
"Violet?" Ted's voice snaps me back to reality. He's holding a jacket over Blue's head and she flinches again. I glance around and realise how dark it's gotten. How long have we been here?
Ted helps Blue to her feet, and we both steady her as we guide her back to the car.
"I'll walk back, I'm fine—"
"Shut up," I cut her off and muttered under my breath, knowing I let my frustration get the better of me.
We get her into the front seat, the car's indicator is still flashing. Ted runs around to the back while I fasten her seatbelt. She doesn't say a word, just watches my every move. I hurry to the driver's side, slam the door shut, and crank up the heater. Glancing over at her before peeling away from the curb, I see her head resting in her hands.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Ted barks, his voice laced with anger I haven't heard from him in years. And the fact it is directed at her sets me off.
"Back off, Ted!" I snap, my tone defensive. I know it's hypocritical, given that I just asked her the same thing, but he yelled at her— and my defence mode was activated.
"I—I just went for a run," she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper. I can't bring myself to meet her eyes. My knuckles whiten as I grip the steering wheel. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice her leg bouncing anxiously. I squirm in my seat, throw my jacket towards her, and direct the air vents her way, hoping it will help warm her up.
The car falls into an uneasy silence as I wait for Cass to break it. Reggie won't say a word—he rarely does—but Cass, I know he's going to speak-
"Okay, nup- this is bullshit," Cass says, right on cue. "Vi, explain what the hell just happened. You weren't just out on a leisurely run— because A, it's fucking pouring rain. B, you were fucking crying. And C, a car nearly ran you over, and you just stood there!"
"It was raining..." she replies quietly. "They didn't see me, and I didn't see them."
"That's bullshit," I hiss through my teeth, my frustration bubbling over. She may think it was an accident but I saw that car—it didn't just not see her, it SWERVED right towards her. My knuckles cramp around the steering wheel, and I lengthen them out, trying to get the blood flow through them again. Blue's clearly running from something, she's in trouble, and I'm determined to find out what it is. Tonight.
