Page 56 of Teaching Roman

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cassie dressedme in blue for my hearing because she’d read that it made people feel sympathetic. I wondered if she’d discovered this wise nugget from the source that assured Jillian that if you studied drunk, you could ace a test—drunk. It sounded like about the same caliber of logic, and I told Cassie that.

“It was a psychological study,” she said, sticking her tongue out at me as she fussed over my hair.

Jillian poked her head in the bathroom and I jumped. She’d been flitting about the apartment like a ghost for the last week, trying to avoid me after calling my sister for help. In the mirror, I saw her face fall before she disappeared. My anger toward her had nearly vanished, but I couldn’t bring myself to call her back.

“You can’t give her the silent treatment forever,” Cassie whispered as she held out a pair of earrings for me to wear.

“I’m not ignoring her.”

“You aren’t talking to her either,” Cassie said. Every once in a while she managed to mimic my sister’s don’t-BS-me tone. This was one of those times.

“She could say she was sorry.”

“Did you apologize to her for calling Tara when she went into the hospital?”

I sifted through my memories, but couldn’t recall. Regardless, I knew one thing. “I’m not sorry for that. She was in the hospital. This is a totally different situation. Jillian’s medical well-being was at stake. It was her second episode in a short amount of time, and she needed to have more tests run.”

“Look you can justify it to yourself with lists, but consider how we feel.” Cassie placed a hand over her heart. I nearly laughed at the dramatic gesture but one look at her face shut me up. “You could be expelled, and you are by far the most responsible of the three of us. We need you here.”

I couldn’t quite stifle a snort at this. “Most responsible? I’ll be lucky to skate by with a B+ in two of my classes, I’m studying less than ever, and I’m going in front of the Ethics Committee.”

“Seriously stop with the fucking lists already!” Cassie snapped.

“It’s how my mind works.” My words were a combination of apology and annoyance. Sometimes it felt like even Cassie and Jillian didn’t understand that. Only one person had ever really understood why I processed information the way I did. My stomach flipped over and I forced myself to smile to lighten the mood. If I wasn’t careful I’d be in tears, which would certainly ruin the mascara Cassie had carefully applied.

“How does my make-up look?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

“You don’t look sickly and you don’t look like a prostitute. I would call that a win.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. Trust Cassie to use such colorful polar opposites. She shoved me out the bathroom door then took each shoulder firmly in one hand and marched me in the direction of the living room. Jillian jumped off the couch, looking for an escape route, but Cassie blocked her exit.

“Nope,” she said. “You two will talk.” Cassie planted her hands on her hips, taking up as much space in the doorway as she could. Her size would never land her a job as a bouncer, but her attitude might.

“Look, Jill—”

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted in a rush. “I know it was a bitch move to call your sister, but I couldn’t let you get kicked out of school. I need you next year more than ever.”

There was true regret in her eyes, but it mixed with fear, the effect of which made the tears I’d been holding back pool in my eyes.

“You are my rock,” she continued as she began to cry.

I knew then that Liam’s extension visa hadn’t been approved. I’d been so caught up with my own shit for the last week that I had forgotten to ask, and even now Jillian was trying hard not to bring it up. Closing the space between us, I wrapped my arms around her and we both cried until our throats hurt. When I looked up, Cassie was watching us, doing her best to look unmoved as she said, “Look at that mascara. Now you look like a prostitute.”

Once my raccooneyes were cleaned up, we started toward the student union, arms linked. I’d tried to talk them out of coming with me. After all, this could get ugly fast, especially if Brett showed up, but they wouldn’t leave my side. Secretly it made me feel better to know the three of us were still a packaged deal.

The student union, a mid-century brick and glass building, had never seemed imposing. It was far from the most ornate building on campus and despite its size, it wasn't the biggest either. But today it loomed in front of me like an evil castle in a fairytale. Students darted in and out of the front entrance, many lounged on the steps, and everyone seemed oblivious to the girl walking the green mile of grass to her doom.

Liam met us at the door, opening it wide so we could stroll through.

“You didn't have to come,” I said as he reached out and gave me an awkward hug. Awkward since neither Cassie or Jillian let go of me for it.

“Like hell,” he said. “Family, right?”

His eyes darted to Jillian, who nodded, but I spotted the tiny twitch along her jawline. She was going to lose it again, and I couldn't blame her. She had managed to find one of the good ones, and the state department was taking him away.

“Shall we go tell these jerks where to stick it?” Cassie jumped in, breaking the tension surrounding us.