Page 78 of Come Back to Me

It’s almost the end of October, which means cooler weather is around the corner. Sunset Cove is notorious for having summer extend all the way into winter. It’s the worst. Don’t get me wrong, I love the summertime, but there’s something about wearing a heavy sweatshirt that I love so much. Instead of sweating my ass off, I’m covered in multiple layers of clothing. Well, that’s only if it getsreallycold.

As I’m driving out of Oceanside, I notice how the sunlight is reflecting off the shingle roofs of all the buildings in the complex. I have to put my visor down to block out the light, so I’m not blinded by it while I’m driving.

When I make my way onto the main roads, I’m swallowed by a lot of cars. Why are there so many people on the road today? Oh, I know why. It’s Saturday. The irony is that it’s usually busier on campus during the week because of classes and extracurricular activities. Some days are better than others.

I don’t go quick enough for the guy behind me when the light finally flashes green because he honks his horn. He inches closer and closer to the back of my truck, causing me to scream at him. “It just turned green, asshole!”

Luckily, he can’t hear me because my windows are up. Some people might find it a waste of time, but cursing out some of these idiot drivers is oddly therapeutic for me. Some of the college kids have no idea how to drive, and it makes me wonder how they acquired driver’s licenses.

Once I press the gas pedal, I try to get away from this dumbass, but he beats me to the punch and startsswerving back and forth into both lanes.

What an idiot.

Hightower is around five to seven minutes away from Oceanside without major traffic. Sometimes it can be over ten minutes away if traffic is really bad.

Sunset Cove University is a place somebody can get easily lost in because it’s like a mini city.

I still can’t get over the fact that I’m a student here because I’ve dreamt of going here since I was a middle schooler. It’s like I blinked, and now I’m a senior.

Time flies by so fast that it can be hard for me to savor the good moments because my brain prefers to consume the bad moments. I can never shake them, but I need to learn how to tune them out. I was able to do it for high school. Why can’t I do it for other events that have happened throughout my life? The only problem is I have thought about the darkest corners of high school when I’m staring off into space.

Ten minutes later, I make it to Hightower. I park in front of building five, turn my engine off, and open the door. After I lock my truck, I head upstairs to the second floor. I ate the granola bar I grabbed on my way out on my way over here. I’m too nervous to have a big breakfast today.

Here I am, standing in front of Violet’s apartment and contemplating my life choices.

How did I not know she lived down the street from me?

Why didn’t Noah tell me?

What about Xander?

I will always have these questions, but I know it’s way past the point for them to get answered.

I want to understand why the love of my life didn’t contact me for the past six years.

I want to understand what happened, andwhythese things happened.

I hope I get to find out.

now

VIOLET

“Sage, can you get the door?”

Things have been a little heated between Sage and I because of the fight we had when I came home last night. Things aren’t normally the best between us, but this is totally different. The air in the room is cold and frigid.

I’ve apologized to her a few times, but she barely acknowledged them. I don’t blame her since I was pretty mean. I went off on her because I was high on what Grayson and I talked about, plus I was exhausted. That’s no excuse for the way I acted. She doesn’t need to accept my apology. If it gets really bad, her wish of me moving out may have a chance of coming true.

Peeking my head out of my bedroom, I overhear Sage and Grayson’s quick exchange.

“Well, if it isn’t the famous Grayson Becker.”

“I’m not famous, Sage.”

“I beg to differ, especially with how much Violet talks aboutyou.”

“She talks about me to you?”