Page 21 of Into the Dark, We Go

I frowned. "How can you not know?"

"I’m just visiting my parents, so I’ll be back when I’m back. You ready?"

My head spun, and my ears rang. He lied. Again. With a brazenness that was almost insulting. Not only had he failed to maintain a consistent story, but he had also shown a staggering lack of creativity. Just a week ago, he had told me he wasgoing camping. When I asked him who would be joining him, he sidestepped the question with ease. And now, he claimed he was visiting his family, completely forgetting what he’d told me before. His lie was pathetic, too. He’d just been home, and now he was going again? In September, right after the summer holidays and during the football season? I almost wished he had mustered the effort to come up with a more convincing story, like a sick grandmother, to garner some sympathy.

"A week ago, you told me you were going camping," I said, trying to keep my voice down so my roommate wouldn’t hear.

"What?" Lucas turned to face me, confusion etched on his face and then looked away. "Oh, I changed my mind."

I took a step closer, my voice trembling with emotion. "What’s going on, Lucas? Why are you lying to me?"

He rolled his eyes. "Would you just let it go? I’m so sick and tired of your suspicions."

I felt a sting from his dismissive tone. I wasn’t being paranoid.Hewas being deceitful. And possibly unfaithful.

"You are fucking lying to me!" I shouted, breaking into angry tears.

Lucas turned defensive. "What’s the big deal? I need a break, okay?"

I felt lightheaded. "A break from what? From me?" I glanced nervously at the closed bedroom door, hoping Sarah was in the bathroom and couldn’t hear us.

He yelled, "What’s wrong with you? For once, can’t it be somethingnotabout you?"

I was desperate and heartbroken, my emotions raw. Through tears, I pleaded, "Tell me where you’re going. Are you seeing someone else?"

Lucas’s voice boomed in a furious pitch, "Why would I cheat on you? I’ve already got my hands full with your bullshit!"

His words slapped me hard. I stood there, tears streaming down my face, my world crumbling. He looked at me, then kicked the chair and said, "I’m out of here," before slamming the door behind him.

Sobbing, I dropped to my knees, holding my mouth with one hand and my stomach with the other.

That was our very last fight.

September, 2020

We returnedto Minneapolis in the afternoon. Nick was already waiting when we pulled up to his house, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, ready to go.

Our first stop was my apartment. I wasn’t sure how long the trip would take, but with only a couple of weeks left on my lease, there was no reason to come back. So, I decided to gather the rest of my belongings and move out.

I tried to usher all three of them out so I could pack in peace. There wasn’t much left to do, but it would still take a solid hour, and I preferred to do it without three pairs of eyes on me. Mitchell and June went to grab a bite nearby, but Nick lingered, ignoring my not-so-subtle hints to leave.

Thankfully, my roommates weren’t home. The last thing I needed was their curious glances at me and some guy I was bringing in—a situation that had never happened before. I moved off-campus after dropping out, so they’d never seen me with anyone. I didn’t care what they thought, but I was still relieved to avoid their judgmental stares. Plus, no one was around for awkward goodbyes. We weren’t friends. We just coexisted.

"You can wait here if you want," I said, pointing to the couch in the common area shared with the kitchen. "My roommatesaren’t home. I just need to make a few calls and rearrange plans."

He didn’t sit. I went into my room and started packing, apologising to my bosses over the phone for the short notice leave.

"Sorry for the mess," I called out to Nick once I hung up.

"Moving?" Nick guessed, and through the doorway, I saw him survey the room.

"Something like that." He made me feel like an insect under a microscope as I sat on the floor, struggling to focus. I secured one of the bags shut.

"Where are you going?"

"Home, to Ohio," I paused to tape up a box.

"You have family there?" Nick continued quizzing me about my personal life.