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eva

“Areyou coming out to eat off campus with us?” Cammy asks, packing her gym bag and closing it before throwing it over her shoulder.

I throw my hair up into a messy bun before I respond, “What time are y’all leaving?”

We have no games this weekend, so rest and relaxation is on their brains while fucking and sucking are on mine.

“Around 7 PM,” she replies. “There’s enough time to go back to the dorm and change, but not enough to lounge and lose the will to go out.”

Jade stands beside her and smirks. “Also, not enough time to disappear with whomever is giving you that, ‘fucked so good that you glow’ look.”

Ignoring her prying gaze, I say, “Count me in.”

There’s ample time to hang with them before heading to Colt and Coop’s house. I have more than a few questions for them.

A shiver travels through me as I recall yesterday. I keep replaying the scene. How could they possibly have known what I was about to do? Were we that in sync? And am I grateful or frustrated that their words were enough to dissuade me?

“Earth to, Evie,” Jade calls out, pinching my arm.

“Oww,” I cry, rubbing the spot. “That shit hurts.”

Showing no remorse, Jade retorts, “Stay in the present then, bitch.”

I flip her off. “See you skanks back at the dorm,” I shout, pushing the locker room door open.

Smiling, I saunter down the hall. It’s only 5 PM, and since I’m going in what I have on, there’s no rush to get back to the suite. Instead, I decide to take the long way back.

My feet carry me out of the sports complex, down the long, winding sidewalk, past the science building, and around a corner that leads to a monument. It’s surrounded by lush grass and flowers that somehow remain vibrant even though it’s mid-fall.

The glee on my face melts away once I recognize where I mindlessly walked. I’ve avoided this place since arriving at Groveton. I knew it was here. Shit, I help keep it maintained. Not that Cooper or Colter know that.

I made Mrs. Jacobi promise never to let them know, fearful of their reaction. I don’t think I would’ve handled their rejection.

In The Loving Memory of Farrah Amira Jacobi. Daughter, Sister, and Best Friend.

Blinking back tears, I run my hand over the words.

The world is dimmer without you, but the heavens shine brighter because of you.

Sleep well, for your pain is over.

And while our pain is everlasting in this life.

We know it’s temporary until the next.

Sawf nuhibuk fi hadhih alhayaat wafi alakhirati.

“I’m s?—”

“You stupid, cunt,” a growly, husky voice snarls, cutting me off.

Spinning, I meet Thad’s angry, almost manic eyes. He literally looks like he could foam at the mouth at any minute.

Instinctively, I take two steps backward. The more distance between us, the better.

“You killed Candace,” he shouts, making me look around to see if there’s anyone around to witness whatever this is going to become.