Page 14 of Backstroke

Willowbrook Hall emerges behind the trees. Dashing up the wide staircase, I fling open the front doors as I jog to the elevators. A few students bustle out as the door opens, but I keep my head down, pressing the button to close the doors continuously until they shut. I take in a long, calming breath as I lean against the wall. My heart is beating wildly in my chest, but my heated skin feels good against the cool partition.

The elevator dings as the door rolls open to the fifth floor. Relief floods my body when I see there isn’t a single person in the hall. I knock on our door several times before I hear feetscurrying closer. Rowyn opens the door and flings her arms around me, forcing me to take a step back.

“Fallon! Thank God! We were so worried about you!” she blurts. She releases me from her grip, ushering me inside before the door slams closed.

“What’s going on?” Lyndsy comes into view, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. When she sees me, her tired demeanor morphs into one of concern.

The girls begin tossing a million questions at me.

“Where were you?”

“We tried to call!”

“What happened?”

“Whose clothes are you wearing?”

“What the hell happened to your forehead?”

Neither stop for a breath as they spin me around, examining me for any other injuries. Their care for me is a foreign notion, leaving me feeling awkward and making me want to hide. Once the questions cease, they look at me expectantly, waiting for answers.

“I-uh, got shoved into the pool at that party last night.” I avert my eyes, not wanting to see the pity written across their faces.

“Did you hit your head?” Rowyn asks at the same time Lyndsy chimes in.

“Can you not swim?”

Great, now they think I’m completely helpless.The truth is, I don’t know if I could make myself swim anymore. My fear of the unknown takes over, clogging my brain with nothing but terror, leaving me paralyzed. I know for sure I would have drowned last night had Remy not been there to rescue me. I shouldn’t have gone to that party to begin with. I’ve been fine on my own for years, there’s no reason to open myself up now.

“It was some prank or something. I don’t really know, to be honest. I hit my head on the way in, and Remy jumped in to grabme.” Both girls exchange knowing looks, making me wonder what the hell they are thinking.

“Listen, Fallon. Remington Frampton is like a god on campus. He has a reputation for using girls for one thing, and then discarding them like last night’s trash. My brother told me all about him and warned me to stay away,” Lyndsy winces.

“Remy is Remington Frampton, as in Frampton University?” I voice to no one specific.Of course it would be my luck to become the target of his unwanted attention.He has the power and resources to make my life a living hell while I’m here, and now I believe what he threatened last night. Anxiety spreads through my chest until I feel like I can’t breathe. Like I’m back thrashing in the water with no one to save me.

Both girls nod their heads, and I feel like I’ve been splashed with cold water. No wonder he had girls trailing after him. Heisactually the king of the school.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “So, what do I do now?” I ask, my voice barely above a mumble

Rowyn steps closer, her expression softening. “Just be careful, Fallon. Remy might have saved you, but that doesn’t mean he has good intentions.”

Lyndsy nods in agreement. “Yeah, just keep your distance. Focus on your studies and stay out of his way.”

I nod, but my mind is still reeling.How am I supposed to avoid someone who seems to be everywhere? And why did he save me if he’s as bad as they say?

As if reading my thoughts, Rowyn adds, “Maybe he saw something in you that made him want to help. Just don’t let your guard down.”

I force a smile, appreciating their concern. “Thanks, guys. I’ll be careful.”

We part ways and I head to my room, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Remington Frampton might be the king ofthe school, but I won’t let him control my life. I’ve had enough trouble with entitled men to last me a lifetime. I just need to stay focused and keep my head down. Remy will lose interest eventually.Right?

But as I jump on my bed and stare at the ceiling, I can’t shake the feeling that my life is about to get a lot more complicated.

Seven

Remington

I’ve been more ofa dick to everyone around me after I woke up to an empty bed yesterday. I should be relieved that she didn’t want to stay to cuddle or whatever it is that chicks want in the mornings. Instead, I’m pissed that she left without a word. She had the audacity to leaveme. Anger bubbles to the surface when I think about her, no doubt telling her little friends that she left me high and dry.

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