Safety is an illusion, and mine has been shattered.
And I was lucky I wasn’t at the student center, unlike Sophia, who could have been shot or worse…
“What’s on your mind?” Liam asks, realizing I’m lost in my thoughts.
Sophia grabs a seat at the kitchen table with us, helping herself to breakfast. She quietly eats, not saying a word, just listening to the conversation that we’re having next to her.
“I could transfer here next semester,” I say and then glance at him with a sheepish smile. My college credits should all transfer since I haven’t even started classes for my major yet. I’m still technically undeclared.
The smile vanishes from his face. “Are you fucking with me?”
I shake my head, unsure if he’s upset or just worried I’m toying with him. “No. Evergreen is such a big campus; I kind of like it here.”
Sophia grabs a sip of orange juice, and after she washes her pancakes down, she says, “I’m thinking of dropping out.”
“What?” Liam’s eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
I’m surprised too. Sophia has always done well in school, at least I remember her being super smart in high school. I doubt that’s changed.
“Don’t judge me,” she says, glancing up at Liam. “I’m going to have to drop the news on Mom and Dad this afternoon.”
I keep my mouth shut. My father would throw a fit if I so much as threatened to drop out of college. I’m not sure how he’ll react to me wanting to transfer schools, especially since they just moved closer to Great Falls.
But it’s not like I’m that far away. They’re still within driving distance. It’s just a little farther.
My phone buzzes, and I glance down as my dad’s name pops up on the screen. “I should take this,” I say, heading toward Liam’s bedroom for privacy. “Hey, Dad.”
“How are you doing? Why didn’t you tell me there was a shooting on your campus? I had to hear about it from your mom.”
I don’t point out that it was all over the news, but he’s been busy with the hockey season and he’s probably back in New York, and it may not have made national news.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I say, forcing myself to try to calm down. My hands are visibly shaking, as I close the door to Liam’s room and take a seat on the bed.
“Where have you been staying? Mom said you weren’t on campus, but you didn’t want to come home.”
I don’t point out that their new home isn’t my home. “I’m staying with my boyfriend.”
Dad clears his throat. “Liam Moretti.”
“Yes, I know you don’t like him, but he’s important to me. He also came to get me the night of the shooting, not that it means much to you.”
“That’s not fair, Bristol.” Dad sighs, and I’m sure he’s frustrated with me. “I’d have gotten on the jet if I knew what happened. Mom would have driven out to pick you up. I wish you’d have talked to us.”
“I don’t need you to come to my aid. I don’t need rescuing, Dad.” I stand, pacing the length of Liam’s bedroom; it’s small, but I can’t sit still. “I want to transfer to Evergreen next semester. Assuming I can get in.”
“Is this because of the boyfriend, or the shooting?” Dad asks.
“There are more opportunities at Evergreen for me. This isn’t about Liam.”
There’s a soft knock on the door, and Liam pokes his head in, gesturing if I want him to come in or stay out of the room. I wave him inside. It’s not that I needed privacy from Liam for the call, I just didn’t want to become the gossip around here.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about that boy,” Dad says. It’s so condescending that I bite down on my bottom lip and wince.
Liam takes my hand and guides me to sit with him on the bed.
“There’s a lot you don’t know as well,” I say, avoiding Liam’s stare. He pulls me into his embrace, leaning against the wall, letting me sit between his legs, his arms strong around me.
“He’s not a good guy. Do you have any idea what his father does for a living?”
