Page 7 of Shadows Within (Millhaven #1)

Trash

Scarlett

I’ve read the same sentence from my textbook three times, but information isn’t processing like it usually does.

I try again. I can’t focus today. It’s been one of those days where I haven’t been paying attention to my feelings and they are telling me to slow down.

Either that or I’m about to get really stressed.

I used to lose focus a lot four years ago, after the incident at the party, I had to pull myself together. I’m sure a gym session will help.

Sophia sits across from me, smacking on gum as she reads her textbook. Deeply focused, she highlights sentences and takes notes, clearly processing things well. She flips her long curled hair over her shoulder.

“You look like you’re going to scream. You good?”

I sigh. “If I read this chapter one more time, I’m going to start charging it by the minute.”

Sophia laughs. “Want to take a break?” I shake my head.

“No, I’m good, I just need to–”

A shadow sweeps over the table. My stomach churns with anxiety—I can already feel who it is. I glare behind me and see Chase, my not so nice ex-boyfriend. I’m not sure why I dated him for so long. Maybe it’s because he made me feel something. Or maybe I felt like settling was my only option.

“I didn’t think I’d catch you in the library, Scar.” His smile is accentuated by his blonde hair and dark eyes.

“Well, here I am.” I smile at him but I’m sure he can tell it’s forced.

“Sophia. Always a pleasure.” He looks at her for a minute before his eyes land back on me.

“Cut the crap Booth, it’s never a pleasure.” Sophia rolls her eyes, unimpressed.

He pointedly ignores her.

“Didn’t think you could go this long without texting me back.” His eyes don’t break contact with mine.

“Well maybe that should’ve been your first clue, Chase.” I hold his gaze.

“I just want to talk... can’t you give me a few minutes after we’ve spent years together?” He sighs dramatically and puffs his chest, like he’s owed my time.

“We have nothing to talk about.”

“So that’s it… after everything?” He can try and pull at my heartstrings all he wants, but he should know better. I’m about to tell him to leave us alone, but Sophia cuts in.

“She said she has nothing to talk to you about.”

“I didn’t know you needed a bodyguard, Scarlett.” He laughs immaturely and looks at Sophia with an ice-cold glare.

“Only when the trash from the past doesn’t know when to leave.” She pops her gum to finish her statement.

Chase looks back at me and narrows his eyes. My body stiffens. He doesn’t control me, not anymore. I hold my chin high as he throws his hands up and stomps away. I know this isn’t over, Chase never lets anything go.

After that encounter, Sophia and I decide that we’re done with studying.

We pack up our things and walk out of the library.

I do a double take as we leave. In the corner of my eye, I see Callum, sitting at a desk by the back of the room.

Why is he here now? He must have a million better places where he can study, his family practically has shares in the entire town.

I can’t remember seeing him at the library in all my previous years at Langford.

Why does he keep showing up and why do I feel like it means something?

I know it’s his school too, I just find it weird that since the start of this year, we’ve had more interactions than ever before.

Guys like Callum Mercer don’t notice girls like me. I look away so our eyes don’t meet. Sophia and I walk outside. It’s one of those confusing days where it looks like fall but feels like summer.

“Want to go for a drive down by the river?” Sophia asks. She can always tell when I’m fighting with my thoughts.

“You’re not too busy?” Sometimes I feel like a burden to her.

“I’m never too busy for you Scar-Scar.” She throws her arm around my waist and pulls me in as we walk toward our cars.

I rest my head on her shoulder. We stay like this for a minute, her presence is soothing. She pulls the keys out of her purse and unlocks her car.

“We can take mine?” She motions toward her car.

“Sure.” I go around to the passenger side and slide in.

As Sophia puts the windows down, my gaze locks onto her.

She has a natural kind of beauty to her that stops you in your tracks.

We’ve known each other since we were kids.

She has so much love in her soul and golden strawberry hair that matches her fiery personality.

I know that she fights her own demons, but she stays positive and has always put our friendship first. I’m so thankful for that.

We’re halfway to Black Lake.

“Thank you,” I whisper. I don’t need to say why, she just knows.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or should I start prying?” Sophia takes her eyes off the road to look at me, only for a moment.

“I just feel like I’m not myself lately.

My mom has been calling me to come over, and I have no desire to.

I also don’t really know if I want to do my master’s next year or if I should try and get a placement.

Most people have this figured out by now and I feel like a fraud for being in the same boat I was in when I started the program.

” Sophia listens. “And then there’s Chase. What the hell was that today?”

I let out a big sigh.

“Okay. First things first. Scarlett Voss, you are one of the smartest people I know. Not just in the classroom... you understand people. You read their emotions like they’re a book you’re trying to learn, you have a gift.

” I smile faintly as she continues. “Secondly, your mom is never going to see herself in the wrong. If you don’t want to see her, don’t see her.

Jake will support you on that too.” She raised her eyebrows.

“And don’t even get me started on Chase.

I know you can handle him yourself, but I swear to God if he doesn’t leave you alone, I’ll drop kick him. ” I chuckle.

“But I swear he’s already kind of afraid of your kick ass boxing moves.” She adds, removing her right hand from the wheel, making a fist at me.

“Oh god. Stop whatever this is.” I ball my hands up into fists and face her. We both burst out laughing.

“I love you,” I say, as I reach across the gear shift and grab her hand, squeezing it tight.

“And you know I love you.” She squeezes mine back.

“So, what’s new with you?” I ask her, bringing my leg up onto the leather seat.

“God, nothing. I wish something was new. You still good to come to the party with me tomorrow or do you need a night off?”

I completely forgot that I told her I would go. “Yeah, I’ll go.” I try not to hesitate.

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. But I’ll still go!”

“You bet your ass you’re still going.”

“Hey! Didn’t you just say I didn’t have to?”

“There’s a difference between not feeling mentally well enough to go and you not wanting to go Scarlett.” She faces me with her best scowl. She’s right.

We take the long way around Black Lake. As the sun sets, the trees are full of crisp orange and yellow leaves that match the horizon. After we loop around the lake, Sophia drops me back off at school to grab my car.

My drive home is short. A sense of relief washes over me as I pull into the driveway. I walk in the front door and throw my keys on the entryway table.

“Dad?” I yell.

No answer.

“Dad?” I shout again, this time out the side door into the garage.

“Just in here, Kiddo.” He is over by his work bench putting some tools away.

“How was your day honey?” His back is toward me.

“Good, I went to the gym this morning. Then I had class and Soph and I studied in the library for a bit. We went for a drive around Black Lake after that, it’s such a nice day out.”

Dad looks back at me. “Nice,” he hesitates. “Everything good?”

I try not to brush him off too casually or else he’ll keep asking.

“Oh yeah, just still trying to decide about the placement or master’s.”

“Ah,” he turns around. “Well, you don’t have to decide tonight.”

I shrug. He’s right.

“Dinner?” I ask. He walks over to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Sounds perfect.” He kisses the top of my head, reassuring me that everything will work out.