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Clausen is overjoyed at my return. “I’m very glad you were willing to give us another chance. I was devastated when I heard about the terrible accident.”

I force a smile. “Thank you, Director Clausen. And thank you for taking me back.”

His sympathetic look is too genuine for my comfort. My god, does he actually believe all his shit?

“It’ll be a tough transition for you, but we’ve already briefed your classmates. Your suitemates, especially. They’ll be a good support system for you. You’ll also continue your work with Anna.”

“She’s been amazing so far.”

“She’s one of our best. All your belongings are where you left them, and I know several of your friends are anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

I suck in a breath. “What are their names?”

“Ben, Laura, and Connor are your suitemates, and I believe Sara is also waiting for you. You and she were close.”

“Thank you. I’ll try to remember.”

“Excellent. You’ll be back to normal in no time.”

“Rebecca!” Sara rushes toward me, and for the first time in a while, my smile is real. I have to fight the urge to express how much I missed her. My gaze flickers over the others.

“They told you I don’t remember anything?” I say when Sara pulls away.

“They said you fell. You must be so scared.”

“Yeah, but Anna’s helping me. In a way it’s not so bad. Some people would give anything for the chance to start over.”

“That’s… wow,” Ben says, waving from the couch. “I’m Ben, by the way. That’s Laura and Connor. How far back does your amnesia go?”

“Basically my whole time here is gone.”

“Do the doctors think your memories might come back?” Connor asks.

“What he means is, will you ever remember that you and he were madly in love?” Ben teases, and Connor glares at him.

I force surprise. “Is that true? Were we together?”

“Inseparable,” Laura says.

“Not exactly,” Connor mumbles.

“Right, because Daniel got in the way,” Ben says with a smirk.

“Daniel?” I think I do a good job sounding casual.

“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone. Been gone for a while,” Laura says.

“You had something with Daniel?” Sara asks me.

I shrug. “I don’t know. Who’s that?”

Connor clears his throat. “She said they were only friends.”

“Which room is mine?” I ask before this gets dangerous. They point to the door. “Great. Sara, do you mind helping me for a bit?”

She nods, and I wave to the others.

“Wow. I live here?” I say, once we’re alone.

“Nicer than the hospital room, huh?”

“I’ll miss the call bell though.”

Sara grins and drops on my bed. “I don’t know. Did you see Connor’s face? Bet he’d fulfill that role if you let him.”

“He seems like a nice guy.”

“He is. I’m dating his best friend, Matthew.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“What does?”

“Just that you have a vested interested in making sure I end up with Connor.”

She laughs. “No, but it did seem like you and he were headed in that direction. I didn’t know about Daniel, though. I mean, I knew you were nice to him, but I didn’t know there was more than that.”

“Maybe there wasn’t.”

“Maybe not, but I could see it. It’s weird how he just disappeared though.”

“Like, some-kind-of-conspiracy weird?” I joke.

“Ha. Maybe. It’s just strange that after all the years he’d been here, he decided to take off around the same time you fell.”

“I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.”

“I’m sure.”

I swallow my reaction. “Anyway, tell me all about Madison and what I should know from the last few months.”

“You want all the gossip?” she asks, warming to the challenge.

“All of it. There’s nothing I love more than gossip.”

“It’s too soon, Rebecca,” Anna whispers.

“It’s been four days! I’m back in class, eating meals, attending morning activities like a champ. I’m playing my part perfectly. Clausen totally bought it.”

“Exactly, so we can’t risk messing things up so soon. Clausen is still cautious. We have to wait until you’re no longer a priority for him.”

I cross my arms with a scowl. “What if that never happens? What if something changes and we lose our advantage?”

“We’ll deal with it.”

I shake my head. “Anna, please. There will never be a good time.”

“If we’re caught—”

“I didn’t come back here so I could go to group again or throw beanbags in the gym! I came back for Daniel. I’m risking everything to get to him. So help me or don’t, but I’m going to find a way to see him.”

“You’re almost as stubborn as he is,” she mutters.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Take it however you want, but if you’re not careful you’ll be together again as prisoners in the same cell.”

“Nowhere I haven’t been before.”

“Or will be again. Don’t you get it? Daniel is letting himself be tortured to prevent that fate for you. What do you think it will do to him when he finds out you walked right back into it?”

My eyes widen and my stomach drops. “He doesn’t know I’m here?”

Anna looks away. “I couldn’t tell him. The only thing that’s keeping him going right now is knowing you’re safe.”

“I am safe.”

“No, you’re not, and you know he’d agree with me.”

I clasp my knees and search her eyes. “Please, Anna. He has to know I’ve come back for him. He has to know.”

“I can’t. I just…” She runs a hand over her face. “I’ll think about it. Just give it another day.”

“Thank you!”

“No promises.”