Page 5

SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING

MILA

There’s only one more essay to turn in, and then I’ll be skating through the last few weeks of sophomore year. It should probably feel better than it does. All around me, students are itching for the start of summer. Excited and humming with our impending freedom.

But one more year checked off means I’m no closer to getting the answers I came to Briar Academy for, leaving me with an uneasy stirring in my gut.

While most of my fellow students enrolled at Briar Academy to pledge Sigma House or get a more discreet version of an Ivy League education, I had my own reason for selecting this desolate campus. And it wasn’t to party or work my way through Sigma House members like I let everyone think.

I came here for Remi.

Closing my eyes, I can still smell the smoke and feel the lick of the flames eating the world around me. I can still hear her screams echoing in my nightmares. I can still feel the hands that pulled me away when I tried to run into the fire and save her.

If only I had found her earlier.

If only I had been there to protect her from the man who cornered her in that carnival tent, she might still be alive.

But I didn’t, and now I’m here.

Remi was pulling away those few weeks before she died.

She had started seeing someone in secret, and she didn’t want to talk about him until she got a better handle on their relationship.

I was her best friend and knew very little about him.

But I’ll never forget when I found him forcing himself on her in that tent.

Or the Sigma House signet ring that flashed in the light of the fire as he ran away.

Before that night, I didn’t know Sigma House existed. And now that’s the only clue left.

I came to Briar Academy to find the man who killed my best friend. And when I do, I’ll make him pay for her death.

Frustration courses through me as I weave through the hallways, finding my way outside.

Spring is on the brink of turning into summer, but there’s still a comforting chill that hangs in the air this early in the morning.

I pull my sweater tight and head toward the Science Hall as a breeze tickles the back of my neck.

My phone pings with a text, and I pull it out to see Marco’s name on the screen. After spending time with Patience and Alex yesterday, I couldn’t bring myself to meet up with Marco like I said I was going to.

I’m over him, but like any raw wound, it’s still at risk of infection if not properly treated. And since he’s the one boyfriend I let past my walls since being at Briar, it’s better to keep my distance until I trust myself not to forgive him.

His fucking around on me should be enough of a reason, but Marco was the first boyfriend in a long time who I thought was different.

From that first time he walked up to me at a Sigma House party and complimented a presentation I did in class instead of how my breasts looked in my dress, I convinced myself he wanted more from me than sex.

One date turned into three, and when I put off being intimate to deepen our relationship, I thought he respected me enough to wait.

It wasn’t until I got a text message from an unknown phone number with a video of Marco getting a blow job by not one but two Sigma Sin groupies that I realized just how deeply I was lying to myself.

It shouldn’t have hurt my feelings. I know better than to let men get the upper hand on my heart like that. Still, sometimes when I look in the mirror, I wonder if anyone will ever see who I am underneath this perfectly polished mask.

My phone starts to ring, and Marco’s name is flashing on the screen. He’s persistent, thinking that if he charms me enough, he’ll convince me to take him back.

I silence the call and am tempted to ignore him entirely. But with summer getting closer and my excuses for spending time at Sigma House dwindling, I can’t burn that bridge if I want to sneak around this summer and get answers to what happened to Remi.

Mila

Sorry, I’m in the library. I’ll call you later.

Marco

You bailed last night. I miss you, baby.

I hate when he calls me baby. Or any nickname for that matter. It’s probably just so he won’t slip and call me the wrong name.

Mila

It was a long day, and I passed out early. How about tonight?

I only offer tonight, knowing he can’t. I overheard Declan and Kole talking about an initiation ceremony, which Marco will likely attend.

Marco

Can’t tonight. I’m busy with the guys. But we’re throwing a party this weekend, so you should come.

Mila

Perfect, I’ll be there.

Have a good day, babe.

Rolling my eyes, I shove my phone back into my pocket, dip into the Science Hall, and quickly rush to my classroom. It’s already almost full by the time I step inside, but thankfully, Patience saved me a seat.

After we left Alex yesterday, she disappeared to the library to study, and I haven’t seen her since.

“You were up early today.” I slide into the seat next to her, trying to ignore the icy chill radiating off my best friend.

As cold and stubborn as she can be, I appreciate that Patience doesn’t pretend like everyone else. She’s honest about who she is. She tells you what she’s thinking and makes no apologies for it.

Besides, we’ve been friends long enough for me to understand she has her reasons. Ones she refuses to talk about, no matter how many drinks she’s had. Alex isn’t the only Lancaster with physical scars. Hers are just more carefully hidden.

“I had a hard time sleeping, so I went for a run.” Patience tightens her ponytail, smoothing it over her shoulder.

“You went for a run at four in the morning?” I hitch an eyebrow skeptically. “And you want me to believe this has nothing to do with you avoiding Teal after your chat in the hallway yesterday?”

“Believe what you want. It doesn’t matter.” Her light-brown eyes narrow. “Did you finish your history essay last night?”

“ Avoiding the question. Got it.” I flip my book open. “Yes, I just turned it in. It’s probably terrible, but so long as I pass the class, I guess that’s all that matters. How hard do you think this anatomy test is going to be?”

“Grueling,” Patience guesses. “But Professor Oro adores you. I bet you could turn in a blank piece of paper, smile at him, and still get a perfect grade.”

I glance up at Professor Oro, appreciating his broad shoulders and strong jawline. He’s late twenties, ridiculously charming, and if rumors are correct, more than generous during his office hours.

“Professors should not be allowed to look that good.”

“I wasn’t issuing a challenge, Mila. He’s our professor.” She bristles.

“Lighten up.” I nudge her arm, but it doesn’t crack her frown. “Older men do have a certain appeal to them. Experience… You’ve been awfully uptight this semester. Maybe you could use a little help from a professor to release some tension. ”

“No thanks.” Patience slaps her book shut, pulling out the one under it.

“God forbid Patience Lancaster take the stick out of her ass and have a little fun every once in a while.” I roll my eyes.

“I don’t need fun. What I need is to pass this test.” All emotion has drained from her face, leaving the chilling mask of indifference in its place.

The expression that earned her the nickname Ice Princess around campus.

I try to imagine what she’s experienced in her life that made her so cold and unflinching. Things terrible enough that even her best friends don’t know about them.

“Can you do me a favor?” Patience lays a book on my desk, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I have to meet up with Violet after class to prep for our statistics presentation. But my dad needs me to get this book to Alex.”

“Why doesn’t he take it to Alex himself?”

“Because why would Gideon Lancaster do anything when he could have people do it for him?” She rolls her eyes.

“So you want me to take this to your brother?” Goose bumps prickle my arms.

“If you don’t mind.”

I swallow, but my throat is scratchy, and my nerves are on their ends.

After Alex looked up at me yesterday, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.

I fully intended to avoid him as much as possible moving forward because the last thing I need is one glance to plant ideas in my head.

He’s in a psychiatric ward. He’s my best friend’s brother.

There’s no point wasting time chasing someone so out of reach.

If only my subconscious agreed. When I woke up this morning, I swore I smelled Alex in my room and on my clothes.

Citrus and oranges.

Home .

“Can you take it to him?” Patience’s eyebrows pinch, and I realize I’m staring at her.

“Of course.” I grab the book and tuck it into my bag. “Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m a little out of it. But I’ll get it to him.”

I lean forward so my dark hair curtains my cheeks as Professor Oro starts class. I try to focus on something—anything—other than Alex.

He’s off-limits.

A red flag.

A disaster.

There’s no point imagining something out of nothing.

Montgomery Psychiatric Ward is quieter today than it was yesterday.

When I give my name to the nurse at the front desk, I expect her to turn me away for not being family, but she waves me through without question, so Patience must have added me to the list.

I hold the book tight to my chest as I walk down the hallway. Unease stirs with every step.

It doesn’t feel right to be here without Patience.

She’s his sister, and I’m little more than a stranger to him.

Someone who moved to Bristal after he was already locked in this place.

A random girl he’s forced to be around when it’s convenient for Patience.

And after my thoughtless comment yesterday, he probably hopes he’ll never see me again.