He takes a couple steps closer to me. I hold out my hands to stop him, but he continues anyway. “I’m not going anywhere until we talk, Sophie.”

“Then I’ll leave.” Stalking over to my closet, I pull out sweats and a tank top to replace Caleb’s borrowed clothing. I stuff them into my purse and grab my sneakers. I toss the boots back in Cara’s closet and continue packing what I’ll need for the rest of the day. I’ll find a hotel room where I can be alone.

Kipton watches me pack, but doesn’t give up. “I brought your clothes back. They’re in the bag on your desk.”

“Thanks,” I reply coldly as I continue packing my bag.

“Sophie, you can’t leave. We need to talk. Last night some pretty heavy shit was dished out, but we never addressed it the way we should have. Yes, I treated you like shit and jumped to conclusions. But I did that because I don’t know your triggers, or anything about what it is you do. So let’s sit down like two rational adults and talk this through.”

I hear the words he’s spewing, but I’m in flight or fight mode—and flight is winning. “I don’t do well with liars, Kipton. I’m tired of false promises.”

“Give me a chance to make it right. Please.”

I shift my purse on my shoulder and almost give in. But I’m tougher than he thinks. Misguided, maybe. Off track, yes. But for whatever reason, his accusations hurt more than any other argument we’ve ever had. I gave him a glimpse inside the darkness and he threw it in my face. “Please move.”

“I can’t do that Sophie.”

I turn around and pick up the room phone. Dialing Drew’s number, I wait for him to pick up.

“Guys what’s going on? I’m getting complaints about an argument.”

I hang up now that Drew’s standing in the doorway. “I was dialing your number. Can you please escort Kipton out of the building? I’d like him to leave and he’s refusing.” Kipton glares at me. Oh well.

Drew looks back and forth between the two of us and sighs. “Everyone have a seat for a minute.” He closes the door so it’s just the four of us and shifts into resident advisor mode. This ought to be fun. “Cara, do you mind waiting in my room?”

“She can stay,” I tell Drew. “I want her to hear every single word so I don’t get accused of anything else today.” I glare back at Kipton, but he’s no longer looking like he wants to throw things. Instead, his eyes have softened and he’s watching me cautiously. The longer our gazes are locked, the more my defenses start to crumble. I fight hard to put them back in place, but I’m not sure I succeed. I snap out of it when Cara slithers her way behind Drew and takes a seat on her bed.

Drew stands in the middle of the room, directing his conversation my way. “Sophie, I’ll start with you. I won’t pretend like I don’t know what’s been going on because I owe you more than that. Cara’s been up front with me and explained her concerns and what she’s witnessed. As your advisor, it’s in your best interest to meet up with a campus counselor. Obviously, I can’t force you to do anything, but I will have to write up an incident report today because of the complaints.”

“You’re serious right now? All because Cara can’t keep her damn mouth shut.”

Cara’s face pales and she shifts around nervously on the bed. “Sophie, I’ve been so worried about you. I needed someone to talk to. Drew’s my boyfriend.”

I laugh at her reasoning. “So much for not mixing business with pleasure, huh? You know I can report you, Drew? For dating your residents. From what I hear, that’s frowned upon.”

Cara gasps. “Sophie, please don’t get him in trouble because of me. I was only looking out for your best interest.”

“I know I’m being a royal bitch right now, but none of you get it. At all. None of you have spent a day in my shoes. You’ve lived privileged lives with country clubs and fancy cars while I’ve been fucking dying inside. So whatever I’m going through right now, I’ll deal with on my own. Only I can make it better—not you.”

Drew bravely speaks first. “Sophie, we can’t force you to do anything, you’re right about that. But you’re speaking out of frustration.”

He doesn’t know me. “No, I’m pissed off everyone’s acting like I’m fucking crazy. I just want to get out of here.”

“You’re great at running, Sophie.” Kipton’s been quiet up until this point, sitting at my desk waiting for the right time to throw his two cents in.

“Kipton, protecting yourself isn’t running. There’s a difference.”

He screeches the wood chair legs against the tiles on the floor and stands up. He looks pained or maybe slightly stunned. “Why do you have to protect yourself from me? I’d never hurt you.”

I glance at the watch dangling loosely around my wrist. “You’ve been breaking my heart for the past thirty five minutes.” I try to keep my emotions in check. To show them all how strong I am. Truthfully, I’m about to break.

After pausing for a few moments to collect his thoughts, Kipton crouches down in front of me. He places his hands on my thighs and while I don’t want him touching me, I don’t make him move. “I know I was out of line and I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. But you need help—like it or not. I wouldn’t have had any reason to accuse you today if it wasn’t an issue.”

I fight hard to stay strong. “I know that.” His words are the most painful to hear because they matter the most to me. Last night I told him I fell for him, and I meant it.

“You’re lucky you’ve had friends around to pick you up when you got yourself into some scary situations. But you’re so much better than all this. Because the girl I’m looking at right this second, I love her like fucking crazy. You make it so hard to keep my head on straight, but you’re worth every ounce of frustration. Do you hear me, Sophie? You’re worth it. Whatever is locked up inside of you, we’re gonna get it out.”

My eyes are about to spill over and the second I blink, I’ll be forced to let go of my pride.

Kipton continues his confessions as I sit here silently. My throats too clogged with emotion to speak. “I want all of you, Sophie. I told you last night I was in this for the long haul and I meant it. But just like we promised, no more lies. No more running. Let’s tackle the demons together.”

I’ll do anything to get Kipton up off the floor because if he says one more thing to me, I’ll break down entirely. “Okay.” I whisper.

“Yeah? We’re okay?”

I nod my head, yes. “It’s my fault for not getting in contact with the therapist when I arrived on campus. I should have known I’ll never be strong enough to be normal. Her card is in my wallet. I’ll call her today.”

“We don’t think you’re nuts, Sophie,” Drew adds. Cara’s now in his arms, softly crying against his chest. Clearly she’s as overwhelmed as I am.

“Maybe I am. I’d like to be alone if that’s okay.” They need to hurry. I can’t hold my tears in much longer.

“Sure.” Cara and Drew leave without question, but Kipton hasn’t budged. As much as I want to find peace in his arms, I can’t forget how he hurt me today. His accusations felt like a dagger to the heart and our tempers did nothing but add to the drama. His temper scared me; it reminded me of my dad going off on my mom. But mine wasn’t much better and I can’t fault someone for giving a shit. Nobody’s ever noticed let alone cared about what I was doing to myself.

But he loves me. I don’t know what to do with his words and it makes me feel even more out of control than I already am.

Kipton reaches for my chin, forcing me to look at him whether I want to or not. His blue eyes are sparkling with unshed tears of his own. “I meant every word, Sophie. I do love you.”

It’s too much. His words are suffocating me and I need air. “Kipton, no.” I shake my head back and forth. The only person I’ve ever heard those words from is my mom. I’ve always understood hatred better than love. At least I knew what it physically felt like. I could even see it. But love is so much more mysterious. It’s not always tangible. That confuses me—to have to rely on trust in order to believe it.