Page 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Lara

For the first time this morning, I can think clearly.

No bed that holds memories nearby, no naked, frustratingly gorgeous man close by. Just the buzz of campus.

I’ve sat on this bench for the past hour, and no one has bothered to look at me. Perfect.

What happened last night keeps playing in my head, the sounds, the smells, the image of Darrell’s body propped against the wall. And even with all that, the one thing that comes back the most is the look on Michael’s face as I ran out of the dorm building this morning. His worry, disappointment, and devastation had been clear.

I’d wanted to get off the moment the bus had started moving, to just meet him halfway across the parking lot and apologize for leaving. But I couldn’t.

Instead, I’ve sat here thinking about what to do.

I can’t go to the police. I knew that before I ran to the bus stop.

What Michael did was wrong, but what Darrell would have done is worse.

He deserved to die.

Michael can’t go to jail for that.

A tear falls at the thought, but I quickly wipe it away.

I did nothing.

Well, that’s not true.

I’m just as guilty as Michael. Do I want to throw my life away for scum like Darrell? No.

Decision made, I head into the large building for my second class. I sat outside, missing the first.

I’ll say I’m sick if anyone asks. If I look half as bad as I feel, they’ll believe me.