Page 38 of Safe Place

I should’ve known better than to let myself get swept up in this. Missing a shift, saying yes to dinner when I should’ve been glued to my books. I should’ve kept my head down. I’m so stupid for feeling disappointed. It’s not like I ever believed I could be with someone like Micah. That was never even on the table, and I knew that from the beginning.

I blink quickly, trying to keep the tears from spilling. I shouldn’t have let myself hope, not even for a moment. I already knew the truth, but I still held onto that fragile thread, and now it hurts even more.

I try to keep myself composed. I just need to get through this presentation. Then I can be done with this. There will be no more reason for us to talk. And Ella will leave me be.

I can do this.

MICAH

The presentation went as expected. Everyone handled their parts fine—even Ella, which was honestly shocking. Guess there’s at least a little more to her being at Westcliffe than just Daddy’s money and legacy.

The group, minus Ella, filters out of the lecture hall. Declan’s grinning, talking about how we probably just secured an A. But I can’t focus. Something’s off with Sophie. She hasn’t looked at me once since the presentation ended. It has to be something Ella said earlier. Pity, charity, or whatever it was, it got under her skin. I want to clear it up, tell her that’s not true, that Ella’s full of shit. But how? Without pushing too hard, without making her feel cornered. I’ve never been rejected before, but I’ve also never pursued a girl like Sophie either.

“Hey, Soph. Can we talk?” I ask, gently catching her arm.

“Sorry, I can’t. I have a shift,” she says, not even glancing at me.

“You’re headed to Boston Brews, right? Let me give you a ride.”

“It’s fine. I’m taking the bus. Thanks though.” She walks off quickly, and I feel my chest tighten.

I’m about to follow her when Grant steps in. “I think she wants some space, man.”

“What the hell was that?” I mutter, more to myself than Grant. Things were fine at dinner last night—more than fine. Things were great.

“Probably something Ella said,” Grant offers.

“Where is she?”

Before he can answer, I spot her across the quad, sitting with a pack of girls who look just like her. My blood’s already boiling as I march over, Grant hurrying behind me like he knows I might actually lose it.

“Ella!”

She jumps, then smirks. “See, girls? Told you he’s obsessed with me.”

I don’t even look at them. “What the fuck did you say to her?”

Her smile fades, but only slightly. “What did she say I said? Micah, I swear, I didn’t say anything. God, she’s playing victim again. Girls like that—” Her eyes glisten, like she’s going to cry.

I cut her off. I don’t care.

“Listen to me. You’re done talking to Sophie. And me. You’re gonna stop asking around about me, stop bothering the doorman at The Haven, stop making yourself everyone’s problem. I don’t give a shit who you sleep with—the hockey team, the football team, the entire cheer squad, whatever you’re into. But you stay the hell away from me. Do you hear me? And starting next class, you’re going to sit on the opposite side of the room.”

A sharp voice cuts in. “What the fuck, Ella?”

Of course. Hailey.

“Oh please. You knew I liked him since freshman year, and you fucked him anyway. You’re the bitch here,” Ella spits.

“Well, he clearly didn’t give you a second look, so I figured I’d shoot my shot,” Hailey shoots back, arms crossed. Then, clearly to get a rise out of Ella more than anything, she turns to me with a wink. “Hey Micah. I miss you.”

Ella’s face turns scarlet.

“Fight, fight, fight,” Grant mutters beside me, beaming like this is the best entertainment he’s had all week.

But I’m not enjoying this. I just need to make sure both of them stay the hell away from me, and more importantly, away from Sophie.

Ella suddenly rounds on me, voice cracking. “Why her but not me?” She jerks her chin toward Hailey. “What does she have that I don’t?”