Page 29 of Feel Free to Scream

“The cafe under the library has lovely, affordable croissants, pastries, that sort of thing, but I feel like something a little heftier is probably the right call. Pancakes?”

“Sure, but didn’t the bus leave twenty minutes ago? I don’t have it in me to walk into town.”

“Oh, I have a car.”

Damn, she’s a useful roommate.

“Well, sort of. I have a criminally ugly vehicle on wheels big enough to carry my cosplay, in any case.”

“Any car is better than what I have, which is a bus pass.”

“You say that now. Wait until you meet Bertha.”

Bertha is a blue Nissan Cube, compact, and yes, rather ugly, but I’m certainly not complaining.

We drive into town, which is far more convenient than waiting for the bus—although there’s one every hour. About half an hour later, I am devouring a plate full of grease and carbs like I’ve never seen food in my entire life.

“You definitely were right about breakfast,” I admit. “Or lunch, I guess.”

“I’m often right, especially when it comes to hangover cures. Trust me, they’re needed after comic cons and ren fairs. You gonna answer that?” she asks, pointing to the vibrating phone on the table I’m actively ignoring.

“No.” I leave it at that.

The screen is facing down. That doesn’t change that there are only two people who would call me on a Sunday at twelve—or three in the afternoon, for them: Noah and my grandmother. I don’t want to chat with either. First of all, the food might have contributed to making me feel slightly human again, but I’m still miserable. But also, I am deeply ashamed of both my behavior, and the fact that Ienjoyedwhat happened last night.

Crap. I will disappoint them both. Besides, what sort of person breaks up with their boyfriend over the phone? Less than a week after leaving the state? All of that is highly distressing and I simply don’t have the mental space for it.

“So what’s the deal with Cross and you? You’re seeing him?”

Lily laughs so hard, for so long, I think I’m going to have to put my Heimlich maneuver knowledge to the test night, but she eventually gets a hold of herself. “Erm, no. Cross likes to fuck with me, that’s all. I like ice skating. I’ve been doing it most of my life. There’s a rink on campus, and they have a pitiful hockey team he belongs to. He heard me talk shit about them with a friend one day, and has decided to be a dick to me ever since. It’s all very immature.”

“But you like him?” I guess. “It looked like you liked him a bit yesterday. Especially when I told him to back off and you took his side.”

She sighs deeply. “No, Claire. I tookyourside. It’s one thing to push back against the teasing; but threatening them with exposure? That kind of stuff, they take seriously here. If you’d posted that video, they would have ruined your life, and your reputation, before the end of the night. Made it so you run out of here crying, and no other college would ever accept you. I’ve seen it.”

My jaw falls. “Seriously?”

“It’s not high school. It’s not a small town. These people—they’reknownaround the country. You post something that makes them look bad, it goes viral and it causes problems for them, their politicians, their mummies and daddies, then their families’ stock shares plummet…so yeah. They respond swiftly to threats of that kind. I’m not saying don’t stand up for yourself. But don’t bring a gun to a swordfight. Unless you’re okay with them getting the bazooka in response.”

Fuck. Suddenly I’m grateful she intervened. “Okay, I get it. I’ll just stay away from them.”

She snorts. “Is that an option for you? I mean, Keller seems quite taken with you.”

I see her questioning eyebrow lift an inch and I ignore it entirely, redirecting my attention to my phone just for something to do whichisn’tabout Keller.

I spot a notification from my email, showing me that one of my VIP contacts sent something, which is unusual on a Sunday. I only have my bank, the college, and my old high school’s administration in that category. Maybe Rothford sent me my schedule early.

I open the message, and everything goes blank around me, all of my attention laser-focused on the subject of the email.

Notice of Enrollment Termination

Dear Ms. Fairmont,

In light of recent events, it is with our deepest regrets that we must notify you of the termination of your enrollment at Rothford University, California, as well as the termination of your scholarship, effective immediately.

The termination is due to a breach of section 7, paragraph 12 in the Code of Conduct signed by yourself on the 21st of July.

Please surrender your keys and student pass by 6:00 pm today.

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