Page 11 of The Midnight Confessions: Part Four

“That’s the only reason I’m not calling them right now. Well, I also look like a mess and would scare them at the moment,” I admit.

“You look beautiful as always, just a little weighed down by the world. Come to breakfast with me and let me help you. I’m not going anywhere, regardless of what you told me yesterday,” he says firmly.

There’s so much more he doesn’t know, and I bite my lip. Kelter is one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

“Lyra, I’ve made a decision,” Trent says, making me push up to look at him. “Everything that has happened with Cassie is water under the bridge. If it bothered her, she wouldn’t be living with you, right?”

“I mean… I guess? We’ve talked about some of it, but sometimes I wonder if she’s still processing. Cassie disappeared the last few months of senior year to go to Florida to live with her aunt,” I explain. “She doesn’t remember certain things about her last year of high school. I told her it’s probably because the guilt was eating away at her. Cassie was having nightmares, but didn’t realize they were real.”

“What were the nightmares about?” Trent asks, forgetting his earlier promise about not wanting to know.

“It’s okay to think I’m a monster after this,” I tell him, my lips trembling.

“Lyra, does Cassie think that of you?” he asks and I shake my head.

“No, but she’s one of the best people I know. I didn’t know my boyfriend was harassing her, and things went too far. The night of our senior prom, he assaulted her on the front lawn during a party,” I begin. “Cassie went home and didn’t tell anyone. We only caught on that something was wrong when we heard a weird sound upstairs. She took a bunch of pills, deciding that she didn’t want to be here anymore. I was part of that. I’m the reason…”

Trent’s arms go around me as I start crying again. Sitting up, he cuddles me to him. “You know what this means, right?” he asks as he holds me.

“You decided that you’re with the wrong sister?” I sniffle.

Snorting, he kisses my forehead. “Nah. You’re going to have to keep showing her who you really are, show up, and love her until she admits that she loves you too,” he says softly.

Sobbing, I curl into Trent, and he just rocks me gently. I do love Cassie, I need to tell her, and get her to let me back in.

Chapter Five

Things are getting too out of control and I feel like I may be on the verge of spiraling once more.

My appetite has pretty much dwindled and I know I need to work on that before I end up right back to where I was before.

I don't ever want to get to that low point again in my life.

But he's here watching me and threatening me… Or maybe it's not him. Maybe I just have two people set on ruining my life and controlling me.

I know I need to tell someone, but Lyra and Trent are off limits. I felt like shit lying to her about Kelter, but he was a turning point in our relationship.

What if she gets back with him and becomes my bully again? I know she's said she's changed, and I've seen it for myself, but that fear is still there.

I know Trent is good for her, that's why I'm pushing them together so hard. I hope he will be enough to keep her happy and safe.

Rolling over, I watch as she's sleeping. I miss our talks, I miss our midnight moments. I wish I could just open up about everything.

Deciding that sleep isn't going to come for me, I throw the covers off and get dressed. My grades are starting to slip, and I need to do some studying.

I refuse to leave the building but the common room downstairs should be empty at this hour.

Making sure to stay quiet, I grab my bag and leave the room, then move over to the elevator.

I'm relieved to find the place empty and quiet. I need some time and peace to myself to get this paper written.

Cracking open the book I need to read before starting the assignment, I settle onto the couch and dive in.

It's actually not that bad and pretty soon I'm already halfway through. I place a bookmark and then stand up to stretch.

Shivers run down my spine and I glance behind me to see if anyone is there.

It's dark and shadowed in the hall outside the common room, but no one is there.

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