I’ll tell you what happened later.Right now, I just need my stuff,I plead, looking around for my purse.
Then Des and Angelica appear.Jordan reiterates that Viktor is waiting outside in his car.
You need to tell us what’s going on,Des insists.
Not now.It’s complicated, and I can’t stay.I have a doctor’s appointment.Can I just get my purse, please?
They all frown at me, but I glare right back.I wouldn’t even be in this awkward position if not for everyone here.Angelica grudgingly digs out a large Lululemon tote that has my purse, my clothes, and my phone.I heave a sigh of relief.
Thank you,I reply automatically.Then I look Angelica straight in the eye.Where did you go last night?I needed my phone before I could leave.
She shrugs.I was around.I’m not your babysitter.
I scowl at her.Angelica has no idea what happened to me last night, but at least she should be showing concern right now.At best, she should be apologizing.
When are you coming back?Des demands.
I’ll message you,I call back as I head out the door.I can feel her disapproval radiating at my back, but I no longer care.
Let’s go,I say the moment I’m back in the car, and he drives off.
He looks over at me.Are you okay?
Absolutely.I face straight ahead.
Did you get your phone back from Angelica?
Yeah, I got everything back.I pat the tote at my feet, then realize what I admitted.Viktor is smirking.I am the worst asset ever.
I let out an exasperated sigh.I’m still recovering from that sleeping pill.You shouldn’t be taking advantage of my diminished capacity.
Normally, I’m sure you’re much smarter than me, so I don’t feel guilty at all.Then his tone turns serious.She’s not the best person to put your trust in.
Why do you say that?I ask, even though Angelica is already at the bottom of my reliability list.
I know her.But he doesn’t say anything else.
I have so much to process.While Rosie thought I was surprisingly calm, the full extent of what happened last night is hitting me now.I wanted to be attractive and now I wish I could go back to being unnoticed.Life was safer.
He pulls up in the hospital parking lot.
I still need to tell you about Dougie.Do you want to know what happened to him?
I nod.I feel queasy but it’s better to have all the information.
The campus police came last night and took him to the police station.He’s going to be charged.And he’s going to be kicked out of the frat.
Oh.Is he going to be expelled too?I ask in a tiny voice.
I don’t know.I would hope so.
It seems like a lot.Seeing as I’m okay.I feel guilty about him because everything turned out fine and everyone has been so nice to me today.
Viktor turns to look at me, his forehead furrowed.Do you understand what could have happened to you if we didn’t get there in time?
Of course I do.Maybe I’m a freshman, but I practically have a graduate degree in anticipating bad outcomes.I know exactly how lucky I am that you rescued me.
He pins me with his dark eyes.If anything happened to you, I would never have forgiven myself.
