Page 91 of Shadows Within
“I don’t expect you to cover for me, say you weren’t involved.” I know The Society could probably figure out that Harrison helped me with Elliot, but I’ll lie through my teeth for him.
“That’s not your decision to make.”
“It is when I’m the one responsible. You won’t go down for this.” Image is everything for his family, and if this ever gets out, I can’t be responsible for their downfall.
He doesn’t say anything. Instead, he walks past me, toward the door. He opens it and makes his way to my car. I follow him.
He grabs my pack of cigarettes and offers me one. We drive in silence, anticipating what’s to come.
Better Left Unsaid
Scarlett
I pull into the parking lot, like I’ve done a thousand times. But today, it feels so wrong.
I grab my bag and stare at the main campus building, mourning the person I once was. I used to seek comfort here, now those feelings are long gone.
Slowly, I begin my walk down the path, toward the brick building. My feet feel heavier the closer I get. I didn’t get an email about class being cancelled, so there must be a substitute for Elliot.Who will it be?While part of me is curious, the other part doesn’t want to find out.
I try to ground myself and look around at things that I can identify. The trees are bare. The leaves have long fallen. The grass is still a bit damp from the morning air. The sun is trying to come out through the clouds. At this time of year, rain or snow can be expected.
I approach the door and a student in front of me holds it open.I can’t do thistoday. I tightly clutch the strap of my bag and turn around, back toward the car, keeping my pace the same to avoid any attention.
I ease myself into the driver’s seat and check my phone. If I call Callum, I know he’ll come right away.He’s probably not far anyway.
I don’t want to worry Dad, and if I call him, I’d have to tell him what happened and I’m just not ready to.
I find Sophia’s name and hit call.
“Hey Scar, how are you doing?” Her voice sounds calm and comforting. I wonder if she knows.
“I don’t know. What are you up to? Do you want to do something?” I think that being around someone who isn’t involved will help. Sophia knows what it’s like.
“I’m free. Want to come here? We can have a couple of drinks then go for a dip in the hot tub.”
“That sounds like just what I need. I can be there in ten? Do you need me to get anything on the way?”
“Oh no. We have everything here. See you soon. Love you!”
“Love you.” I say back before I hang up.
Once, when we were younger, she told me you’re always supposed to tell someone you love them before you say goodbye. I feel the need to say it to her now.
I find immediate comfort knowing that I’ll spend tonight with Sophia. I pull out of the parking lot without looking into the rear-view mirror.
Sophia lives outside of town, in the same neighbourhood as Callum and Harrison. Her house is nothing like mine—it’s not full of colour. Sophia’s family doesn’t eat most meals around the table, and they don’t order takeout or watch movies on Saturday nights. Her house feels like it was created for the purpose of looking nice, not making memories.
I pull in, alongside the six-car garage, and text Sophia that I’m here. I don’t like stepping inside without her.
The door opens. She pops her head out and waves for me to come in. I walk up the large granite steps to the two white pillars on each side of the front door.
“Hey,” I say and wrap my arms around her neck. There’s such warmth in her embrace.
“Come on in! Have you had lunch? I was just about to make something.”
She shuts the door behind me.
That’s the thing about best friends, they always know when something’s going on. They might not know what, they can just tell by what you say—or by what you don’t.
