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...
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I run to the playground and head straight for the swings. I can't remember the last time I was able to act like this...like a kid. Hearing his story—how similar we are in some ways—has set something alight within me. Or maybe it's just simmered something down, I'm not sure. But it feels good.
I settle into the swing, gripping the chains tightly as I start to sway back and forth, tilting my head back and letting the breeze whip through my hair. Ty joins me, though he doesn't quite share my childlike enthusiasm. He laughs and teases me, and I've never felt so comfortable or so free with him.
It's weird how free and childlike I feel around him, especially considering the intensity of what I feel for him. He usually makes me feel wild, almost reckless— dangerous even. Like I'd risk everything just to keep him in my life. But then I remembered Josie's words: a little wild can be good for the soul, especially for girls like us. I laugh quietly to myself.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Ty asks.
"Sure," I reply, curious about what he's going to ask and secretly hoping I'll be able to answer it.
"Why didn't you ever try running away before then?"
I laugh bittersweetly, swinging harder and a little higher. It's almost dark now, the sun is almost out of view, and the stars are starting to scatter throughout the sky. It's strange and pretty ironic that he would ask me that question right here, right now.
"I did," I finally say. "I tried running away when I was twelve... I never tried again."
"What happened?"
"I made it as far as the park across town. Ironically, it had a swing set just like this one. I mean, It wasn't as new or clean, but it had two swings and a bark ground. It was harder to get to, and now that I think about it, it was a pretty decent trek—especially considering I managed to get that far without getting into any trouble. I knew the dangers of leaving the house without Mikey. He and his mum drilled it into me. But I was young and acting on impulse. I'd had enough of the crap at home."
"Mikey?" Ty asks and I look at him, waiting for him to continue. He stares back, waiting for me to answer. It is only then, with Ty's patient gaze and question that I realise... I don't think I have ever spoken about him before—not around Ty. Which seems so strange? Mikey is so alive in my mind, in my thoughts—I half expect everyone around me to instinctively know who he is.
"Mikey was— no— is," I correct, "my best friend from where I grew up," I look down at the ground, warm memories blanket over me. "He was the only safe place I knew... and he saved my life. In more ways than one."
"He saved your life?" Ty asks.
"That.... is a story for another time," I respond, hoping he won't push. I'm not sure I can handle revealing that much of myself. Not on top of what I already have tonight.
