Page 62 of Backstroke

In the library. I can’t answer the phone. Talk later.

I feel guilty for lying, but I’m sure she’ll understand eventually. Looking at the time, it’s later than I thought it was. I guess I really passed out when I got back this morning. My thumb hovers over the message I received earlier. I chuckle at the name I changed his contact to.

Pink Psycho:

Meet me at the Compton Observatory beside the science building at 8pm, little fox.

Before I can contemplate if I want to respond now, he messages again.

Pink Psycho:

Be a good girl and get dressed, Fallon.

A thrill runs through me at his words. Damn him and his smooth talking. I roll my eyes but I know this isn’t a fight that I’ll win, and I don’t think I want to. His confidence, his determination—it’sintoxicating. Part of me wants to resist, to keep up the barriers I’ve built, but another part of me is drawn to him, unable to resist the pull. Maybe I should just let go and see where this takes us.

I jump from the bed, deciding to dig through my closet for something to wear tonight before tackling the mess of my hair. Clothes scatter as I rummage through my options, searching for the perfect outfit. Anticipation mingles with the nervous energy still buzzing inside me.

Finally, I find a dress that feels just right. It’s one that Lyndsy gave me the other day—comfortable but stylish, something that might make me feel a bit more confident tonight. With the dress laid out, I turn to the mirror, ready to face the battle of taming my hair.

Since Rowyn left and I needed help getting ready, I asked Lyndsy to help, which meant I had to spill the same story to her. Fortunately, she understood why I hadn’t told them sooner and wasn’t mad. She still gave me a little lecture like the mother hen she is, but after that she helped me get ready, saying “You need to look so perfect that his eyeballs will pop out his head.” We both laughed and she got to work with my hair and makeup.

Now that I’m walking toward that end of campus, my nerves have skyrocketed. For a Saturday night, there aren’t many students out and about. Maybe there is a party somewhere that I don’t know about, or maybe everyone is just hunkered down for the night. Either way, the solitude amplifies my nerves.

Glancing down at my phone, I realize I’m a little early. I couldn’t sit in the dorm any longer after I was finished getting ready so I opted to go ahead and leave, giving me plenty of time to reach the observatory. I had to ask where it was because I haven’t been there but fortunately it’s close to the old library which I definitely remember from game night.

Taking a deep breath, I continue my journey, my mind swirling with thoughts of what Remy will say, and more importantly, how I will respond. The observatory looms ahead, its silhouette stark against the evening sky. The closer I get, the louder the pounding of my heart becomes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flash of pink. Turning quickly, I see Remy wearing his pink mask. So, that’s how he wanted tonight to go. I laugh to myself, pulling my phone out.

Fallon:

I see game night isn’t the only time you don the mask. Game on, psycho. *winky face*

I shove my phone back in my purse and follow my masked man through the woods. The hairs stand on the back of my neck but I chalk it up to the thrill of the unknown.

The forest is dense, shadows cast by the moonlight creating an eerie but mesmerizing landscape.

Every step we take seems to amplify the quiet, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. My masked guide moves with confidence, not hesitating as we navigate the winding path.

The anticipation builds with each step, my curiosity piqued by where he could be leading me. This sense of mystery, coupled with the cool night air, sends shivers down my spine.

He takes a sharp right, entering a side door to the old library. I didn’t think students were allowed in here since it’s basically condemned. The air inside is musty and stale, with dust motes dancing in the faint light filtering through the broken windows.

“Are you sure we’re supposed to be in here?” I whisper, the thrill of breaking the rules mingling with a sense of unease.

He turns to me, the mask obscuring his expression. “Trust me.” He’s using the voice distorter again. It must be built into the mask. Fear begins to bubble up inside me, making my hands sweat. I’m about to ask him if we can leave but he leads me into a small room,

“Remy–” but I don’t get to finish before something hard strikes me in the back of the head. All of a sudden, darkness consumes me and I’m falling. The last thing I feel is the cold, hard floor rushing up to meet me before everything goes black.

Twenty Three

Remington

After I get everythingset up for Fallon in the observatory, I head back to my house to shower and change. Tonight, I will make up everything to my girl and reassure her that I’m it for her.

Back at the house, the hot shower helps me clear my mind. I go over every detail again, making sure everything is perfect for tonight. This isn’t just about making up for this morning; it’s about showing her how serious I am. How much she means to me. She’s mine now and always.

I towel off then head to my room to throw on something nice for her. My phone beeps with a message and I think about ignoring it. I’m sure it’s just my father badgering me like he’s done all day. He wants me to come to his house with Fallon so we can all sit down and “talk” about our new situation. Fuck, that’s the last thing I want to do right now. I roll my eyes and check it anyways, my heart accelerating when I see it’s from her.

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