“Whatever you say, dude. It’s your life. I got my last shift at the club tomorrow. Are you gonna come over?”

I was thankful that Jason and Shawn had helped me so much with keeping an eye on Maddy. At first I knew they were just doing it as a favor to me, but now she was a part of our family. Shawn hadn’t been around as much lately, though, and I wasn’t really sure what was going on with him.

“Yeah, I’ll be there, but I need to get my truck worked on before I drive home. Can I borrow your car and I’ll come pick you up when you’re done with your shift?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“So, where’s my little sister today?”

Before I could answer, Alyssa was at our table. “Here’s your food, boys.” I could tell that she’d pulled her shirt down even more since the last time she’d been at the table. When she bent over to put our plates down, I swear I thought they were gonna fall out. I knew she thought that this was going to do something for me, but all it did was make me pity her. She still didn’t get that looks weren’t everything and I wasn’t interested. When I didn’t acknowledge her, she huffed and walked away while mumbling something under her breath.

“She went to campus to sell back her books and see a couple of friends.”

“That’s good. She’s really changed this year. I remember the first time you introduced us to her. She’d barely look us in the eye and seemed scared of everything. Now, she’s so open and gives us our shit right back.”

He was right, and I was so happy that I wasn’t the only one who noticed. “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.”

We finished our burgers and when Alyssa dropped off the check, she continued the “in your face” approach. When she walked away, we both laughed. “So, what do you want to tip the lovely lady, Carter?”

“Truthfully, an adult sized T-shirt would be the perfect tip.”

“Have you noticed anything weird with Shawn lately?”

“What do you mean?” I knew he hadn’t been around as much, but I figured he was just busy.

“He’s been going to the gym constantly, and he’s always getting these calls on his phone from weird numbers. He goes into a different room to answer them, and then usually leaves after he gets off the phone.”

“Have you asked him about it?”

“Yeah. He said he just has a lot of study groups and shit with finals. C’mon, though, Carter. When has Shawn ever studied?”

Jason was right. Shawn had always pulled straight A’s without ever needing to open a book. He was pre-med now, though, so maybe he needed it. “I dunno, dude. It can’t be anything that serious. I mean, it’s Shawn.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

I hoped I was.

Madison

I just got done having lunch with my study group that helped me get through Philosophy this year. I’d really met some great people this semester and I owed most of that to Carter. He showed me that it was okay to be myself and that if people couldn’t like me for me, then they didn’t matter.

I’d definitely started to open up more to everyone, and it felt great not to have to carry everything on my shoulders. I was almost at the bookstore when one of the classroom doors opened and I was pulled inside.

Chris was standing in front of me, and my heart started to beat faster. This was the first time we’d been alone together since he’d snuck into Carter’s room while I was asleep.

He went to give me a hug and I took a step back. “What do you want, Chris?”

“You look good, Madison.”

I wasn’t going to do this with him right now, and I was really uncomfortable. “I need to go, Chris. I have things to do.”

I started to open the door, but he pushed it closed. “I just want to talk to you for a second.”

I turned around slowly. He was much too close for comfort right now. I ducked under his arm and walked to the middle of the room. “I can give you five minutes. What is it?”

“You’ve gotten feisty, haven’t you?” He was smiling at me in a way that made my stomach turn. I started to walk toward the door again. “All right, wait, I’ll stop. Listen, I don’t know if you know this but I’m transferring to NYU.”

He was leaving? Yes! I couldn’t let him know how happy I was that I’d never need to deal with him again. “Why?”

“This school just isn’t right for me. I’m actually moving to New York tomorrow. I figured I’d get used to the city in the summer before school starts.”

“That’s good for you, Chris.”

He started to move toward me and I started to circle around the classroom and make my way to the door, in case things got bad. “Come with me.”

“What?” Was he crazy? After everything that happened, he really thought that asking me to come with him would work? I knew that he wasn’t all there, but I was really starting to question his sanity.

“I want you with me, Madison. We can have a new life together. I already have an apartment for us. You have good grades too. I’m sure you could get into NYU.”

“Chris, we aren’t together anymore. I’m with Carter now, and I’m happy. This is something you need to accept. I think it’s great that you’re starting over in New York, but I’m not going with you.”

I saw his eyes darken. I was almost at the door now. It was a look I knew all too well, and I knew I didn’t have long before things got bad. I just needed to reach the doorknob.

“So, was everything a lie then? Did you just pretend to love me so I’d take you here? How can you sit here and say that shit to me!”

My hand gripped the doorknob. “Chris, I hope you have a good life. Have fun in New York.” He seemed to realize I was leaving and, before he could reach me, I was in the crowded hallway.

I started to walk fast down the hallway, constantly checking behind me to see if he was following. Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy, but I really could care less right now. My phone chimed, which scared the crap out of me, and I reached around in my purse to find it.

How was lunch?

It was Carter. Should I tell him what just happened with Chris? He barely let me out of his sight now, not that I was complaining. If I told him about Chris, he’d insist on coming here, but I liked being able to have some independence. I knew Carter watched over me because he cared, but sometimes I felt like a child instead of his girlfriend.

It was good! On my way to sell back my books now, then I’ll be home. Love you!

Once I was done in the bookstore, I met Nicole at the dorms. She was packing up all of her stuff.

“Hey, mama! No watchdog today?”

I had to laugh. Nic got how I felt about the boys sometimes, and thought it was hysterical how they took shifts with me. “Ha ha ha…I can’t believe you’re leaving today. I’m really gonna miss you.”

“Ugh...me too. Listen, you need to come visit me at least one weekend this summer. We’ll go shopping, lie by the pool, watch chick flicks, and stuff our faces with junk food.”

“That sounds amazing.” I never thought I’d meet a friend like Nicole and, now that I had, saying goodbye sucked. Even if it was only for three months, I was still going to miss being able to have our girl time.

“All right, chick, come on and help me get all this crap in my car.”

Once we loaded her car, she dropped me off at home and left. I made a promise that I’d come visit her this summer, and I couldn’t wait.

Madison

Jason should be here soon and we are planning to pig out on pizza, and ice cream. I grab bowls and set out all of the things to make the sundaes. I ordered the pizzas about ten minutes ago, so they should be getting here any second. I text Carter to see how everything is going, I’m so glad that he has some time off. I hear a knock at the door, grab the pizza money, and open the door.

“Hey, here is the—” When I look up, the rest of the sentence dies on my tongue. Chris. I try to slam the door closed but he catches it and throws it open, causing me to stumble and fall on the floor. I crawl backward as I watch him step into the house and shut the door behind him. I spot my phone on the table and scramble to try and grab it, but he beats me to it and throws it against the wall, shattering it.