Page 16 of Backstroke

As we step back into the sunlight, I feel a surge of determination. Fallon Monroe might have gotten away twice, but not this time. She can’t hide from me.

With the information in hand, I head straight for Willowbrook Hall. Nix trails behind, clearly uneasy with my plan. I can’t blame him, this isn’t exactly my usual style. But Fallon has stirred something in me that I can’t ignore. My phone dings with the email from Jake. I’ll dive into that later. Right now I need to see her.

We reach the dorms and I take a moment to compose myself. Room 514. I knock on the door, my heart pounding in my chest. There’s no answer. I knock again, louder this time.

Finally, the door opens a crack and a girl peers out. It’s not Fallon, but her roommate, judging by the look of surprise on her face. I think I remember her from the party a couple nights ago.

“Can I help you?” she asks, eyeing me warily.

“I’m looking for Fallon Monroe,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Is she here?”

The girl shakes her head. “No, she’s not here right now.”

“I’m Remy,” I reply, leaning against the door, not offering any more information than necessary. “Do you know when she’ll be back?”

She hesitates, then shrugs. “I know who you are and she didn’t say. Maybe later this evening.”

I nod, trying to hide my frustration. “I’ll come back later.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. She isn’t interested in you.” The girl begins to close the door, but I slam it open. A startled cry falls from her lips.

“What the hell is going on?” A girl I immediately recognize comes into view. Gray’s little sister Lyndsy is Fallon’s roommate. This could work to my advantage.

“Ah, Remy, you found her.” She seems unimpressed as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I didn’t know Gray’s little sis would be here. Why don’t you invite us in? We can all wait for Fallon to return.” My voice drips with sugar laced with venom, and I know she can hear the warning.

“Get out before I call my brother. I’m sure he would love to know that one of his best friends is trying to barge into my dorm.” She squares her shoulders and shows her phone to me. I’ll deal with her later. Fallon is at the forefront of my mind.

I slam my hand into the door, making a dent beneath the pressure. A little memento for Fallon to find. I turn around and storm down the hall.

Nix finally speaks up. “What’s your plan, Remy? You can’t just stalk her.”

“I can and I will,” I snap, then take a deep breath. “I’ll see you back at the house. I need to run a few errands.

Nix sighs, “This is going to blow up in your face.” I know it will, but I’m powerless to stop it at this point.

I storm out of Willowbrook Hall, my mind racing with thoughts of Fallon. She’s just within my grasp, if I could just reach her… As I walk back to my car, I start formulating a plan.

First, I need to figure out where she might be. If she’s not in her dorm, she could be at the library, the student center, or maybe even off-campus. I decide to start with the library. It’s quiet, and exactly the kind of place I could see her frequenting.

I drive over to the library, my frustration simmering just below the surface. I park and head inside, scanning the rows of books and study tables. No sign of her. The library is a quiet sanctuary, filled with the soft rustle of pages turning and the faint hum of the air conditioning. Tall wooden shelves line the walls, packed with books of every genre. The scent of old paper and polished wood fill the air.

I make my way upstairs to the more private study areas, my heart pounding with anticipation. I see her sitting alone, engrossed in a book.

She sits at a small table near the large, arched windows that let in streams of golden sunlight. The light casts a warm glow on her face, highlighting the determined set of her jaw and the intensity in her eyes as she reads. The table is scattered with her notes and a few pens, evidence of her diligent study habits.

She looks up as I approach, her eyes widening in surprise. The sunlight catches her hair, making it shimmer like the bluest sapphires.

“Fallon,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We need to talk.”

“I don’t think we do,” she replies, looking back down at the book in her hands. Rage seeps into my veins at her nonchalance toward me.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. “No one ignores me,” I growl, slamming my hands down on the table. She jolts up from the table, dropping her book in the process. She looks around at the small crowd that has gathered and rolls her eyes.

“I don’t owe you anything,” she seethes, turning away and walks deeper into the library.

I watch her retreating figure, my anger stewing. This definitely isn’t how I thought things would go. I grab her book from the floor and follow her, resolved to not let this end here. She doesn’t stop, so I quicken my pace, catching up to her near the back shelves. Grabbing her waist, I twist her around and pin her against the shelves. The breath leaves her lungs from the force. Fallon’s eyes flash with fear and rebellion.

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