Page 4 of Only When We Fall

Outside, the air’s cooler and I inhale sharply until my lungs ache. I lean against the brick wall and drag a hand down my face.

What the hell am I doing?

This isn’t me. Pining over a girl.She left.She didn’t even give me a chance to explain, let alone make up for it. It was like some cloak and dagger shit with no one wanting to tell me where she was or how long she was gone for. She just disappeared.

It was for the entire summer. Ava finally let slip that Emmie had gone to stay in the countryside, where phone signals were pretty much non-existent. But it turns out Emmie didn’t want to hear from me anyway. Maxine made it very clear I was to stay away from her daughter. She even went to the trouble of stepping back from Dad. I mean, if that doesn’t scream fuck off, I don’t know what does.

And so, I pushed her from my mind. I put everything I had into securing a scholarship for university. And when I finally gotthe letter to say I was accepted, everything lifted. I could breathe again.

My new start, away from Dad, away from disloyal friends and most of all, away from Emmie.

So why the fuck am I repeating the same shitty patterns?

I grab my phone, keeping my eyes closed as I press it to my ear. “Huh?” I manage to grunt out.

“University is keeping you busy?” Dad’s voice sounds teasing, and I roll onto my side and open one eye to check the time.

“It’s ten a.m.,” I grumble. “On a Saturday. This phone call should be illegal.”

He laughs. “Sorry. I just wanted to check in and see how you were before I go to work.”

“Work?” I repeat, hope swelling in my chest.

Since everything with Maxine, the drinking consumed him.Again.When I left for Uni, I don’t even think he lifted his head off the couch.

“Yeah, I decided to get back on the horse. Being home alone all day isn’t doing me any good.” My chest tightens. It wasn’t an easy decision to up and leave, and as if he senses my unease, he adds, “That wasn’t a dig, Kai. Sorry. I just mean that I can’t sit around drinking all day. I’ve got to get my shit together.”

“Good for you, Dad,” I mutter, and I mean it. But I don’t believe it, because we’ve been here too many times.

“How’s Uni life?”

I groan. “Freshers week started yesterday. So far, it’s a killer.”

He chuckles again. “Well enjoy it, son. It’s part of the experience. But be safe.”

“I will. Good luck on your first day back.”

“Thanks. And Kai, I love you.” And he disconnects. I stare at the phone for a second, confused. It’s not often he says thosethree words. In fact, the last time was right after my mum left us and he was comforting me.

Maybe me leaving was the kick he needed after all.

Chapter Two

Emmie

Our two flatmates arrive around lunchtime. Their parents linger with tearful eyes as we all help Landon and Noah with their things. But once the goodbyes are out the way and Zara closes the door, we all sigh with relief.

“Okay, how exciting is this?” asks Zara. “We can finally start freshers as a flat.”

“Didn’t we start it last night?” I ask, sipping my water to rehydrate my poor hungover body.

She grins. “Let’s go to the SU bar and call our first flat meeting.”

“Meeting?” asks Noah, arching a brow. “About?”

“The rules,” she replies, winking.

The SU bar is surprisingly quiet. We find a table in the corner and order a round of drinks, even though alcohol is the last thing I want right now.

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