Nineteen

Chapter Twenty-Five

Bailey and I drive through the streets, in silence, until we are at the frat house.

"I'll go in and get him," I say as I step out of the car.

I don't want to run into Collin while I'm here, so I'll make it a fast trip.

I skip a few steps as I'm practically running into the house.

I knock a few times before just opening the door, "Hello?" 

There's only one person up and in the living room, and of course, It's Ryan.

"What's shaking this morning, Em?" 

I roll my eyes at his lame choice of words.

"He's upstairs," He says when I don't reply.

I nod my head as a thank you as I turn to walk up the stairs.

When I get to the top I see there are six different doors to choose from.

I take my chances and knock on the first one, "Hello, Clark?"

No answer. I do the same to the next two doors.

The fourth door is when I get an answer, but it's not the person I wanted.

Collin opens the door dressed in work clothes with a hat in his hand. His hair is a mess and his eyes are red from the late night.

"What?" He coldly remarks.

"I'm looking for Clark, is he still here?"

"No."

"Where did he go?" I look up at him.

His eyes don't meet mine, "None of my business."

"Okay.."

He passes me up and walks down the hallway, heading to the stairs.

I follow him, ready to leave since my friend isn't here.

"Bye, babe." Ryan says to me as I walk through the living room.

"Shut the hell up," Collin says without turning back around. Ryan just chuckles.

"Bye, Ryan." I manage to spit out.

When I get outside, Bailey is standing by the car waiting on me.

Collin gives him a hateful look and mumbles under his breath.

He ignores him and says, "You ready? Where's Clark?"

"He wasn't there." I walk up to him.

"What? Where is he?"

"I don't know, he probably left with someone."

I get into the drivers seat as Bailey gets in the passenger.

We drive around for a few minutes before I turn to head back to the campus.

"You know I still love you, right?" He says.

"Don't," I say, sternly.

"I mean it. We've only been here for about a week and I'm obviously only a high school boyfriend, but you can't just cut feelings off that fast." He says as he lays his seat back.

"I believe the feelings have been dying for some time."

He laughs, "Ouch."

We pull back into the dorm parking lot and walk across the grass to my building.

"This is as far as I'll take you, let me know if you see Clark, okay?" He says.

I hand him the keys to return to his room, "okay."

He watches walk into the building before turning and walking toward his own.

It's around two o'clock now when I realize I haven't eaten. I need to remind myself that food is a necessity.

I'm just about to walk through my door when I kick something on the floor.

Its small and wrapped in brown paper. I look around for anyone.

I pick up the small package and go into my room.

There is no name anywhere on it, but it was placed directly in front of my door. Is it for me? Or Jade?

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I open it.

It's a book. It is a new copy of Pride and Prejudice, and on the inside cover it reads "Emory."