Page 56 of Brutal Titan

Victoria

As I’m walking out of school and through the parking lot, I twist my hair into a knot on top of my head. I’d planned to skip out on swim, but I needed something to distract me from what I was planning to do this evening—visit Olivia. I skipped out last week but need to see her this week. I need to tell her about what’s going on between me and Elliot because he needs to see her. It’s been evident since Quinn found out about her dad—something inside of Elliot broke, because he hasn’t been the same since. He’s been caring and kind, but way too quiet. And his nightmares seem to be worse. I’m waking him several times a night and sometimes it takes a lot to pull him out of the disturbing slumber.

We both agreed that it was best to wait and not tell Asher about us because there’s something else going on between him and Quinn, but he won’t tell us what even though it feels serious and important. I think it has to do with her dad, but that’s just a hunch.

Dropping in my car, I’m almost in the clear until I spot Elliot pulling the passenger door open as he slides into the seat.

“I know you said you have something to do but I need you … I need you to come somewhere with me.” He turns an anguished look to me. “Please?”

“Where?” I already know the answer. He mentioned a few days ago that the only day he could visit his mom is on Wednesdays, which of course I already know.

“To see my mom.”

“But they only allow family in.” My nervousness spikes as I attempt to control my emotions, which are all over the place. I want to be there for him, but how can I considering the secret I’ve been hiding.

“I know. But I need you to come with me. I don’t think I can go by myself.”

“Elliot—” I can’t think of a good excuse because I want to be there for him, and when he turns his pained expression to me I know I’m going with him. I’ll deal with the consequences later. Maybe I can tell her somehow discreetly not to mention me visiting just yet, or maybe I can just wait outside.

“Please, Victoria?”

“Okay.”

“Thank you,” he leans forward, placing a gentle kiss on my lips as I struggle to hold my composure. “It’s not far from here if you want to ride with me.”

“Sure,” I agree, reluctantly stepping out of the security of my vehicle, stiffly following him as he lightly clasps my hand in his. Neither of us care that we are still surrounded by people heading out of the school parking lot. We both need something to hold onto, something to hold steady, even if for very different reasons.

Watching out the window, the familiar drive is over way too fast as we pull into the parking lot. “I’ll just wait here.”

“Come in. We can tell them you’re family or something.”

Yep. That’ll work, unfortunately. “Okay.”

I follow a step behind him as we make our way to the front desk. The receptionist asks his name, and he gives both our names, saying we’re here to see Olivia Bass.

Thankfully, none of the employees give a second thought because he’s telling exactly the same story about who I am as I’ve said all along. Maybe no one will think anything of it, and no one will reveal what I’ve been up to behind Elliot’s back.

We’re sitting in the room, waiting on Olivia to come out. There are several doors around the perimeter of the room, and I see Elliot glancing between them, but I know exactly which one she’ll emerge from, and she does just that. Shock on her face as she looks to us. She slowly walks over, giving me a strange look as she sits at the table before looking to Elliot.

“Why are you here?”

“To find out why you are here?” Elliot retorts, his words strained as Olivia flinches.

“You know why,” Olivia softly replies, hanging her head down.

“No. I don’t,” Elliot chokes out. I reach for his hand, and Olivia’s eyes land on our interlaced fingers before looking to me and then back to Elliot.

Olivia looks away to the employee standing nearby, monitoring the conversation as always before meeting Elliot’s eyes with a pained expression. “You need to go. I told your father I didn’t want you here. Didn’t want you to see me like this.”

Gasping, my hand tightens around Elliot’s as he shoots up from the chair, sending it crashing to the floor behind him. An employee waves a hand signal to another guard at the checkpoint behind the glass.

“See you like this?” he screams, shrugging me off. Leaning forward, he glares at his mother. “I see you lying in a pool of blood, bleeding to death every fucking night when I close my eyes.”

“Elliot,” I unsuccessfully try to pull him away from his mother as I notice a security guard and two other employees headed our way. Panic fills me. “Elliot, let’s just go.”

“I’m so sorry, Elliot,” Olivia sobs as her hand clasps over her mouth. She stands from the table, backing up until she hits the wall behind her.

He jerks his arm out of my grasp, slamming his fist against the hard surface of the table. “Save your apology, because you are dead to me.”