Page 103 of F*ckboys

My gut reaction is to decline her request for a discreet meeting, but there's a raw vulnerability in her tone that makes me reconsider. It feels like I’m going behind Fallon’s back, but then again, this is for her own good, and it doesn't appear Fallon is going to open up to me about what's going on any time soon.

I remember Mia being fairly shy and reserved back in school, so it’s even more surprising that she’s reaching out to me—whatever it is, this must be serious. I text her hesitantly.

Me: Alright, Mia. Let's meet.

We decide on her house as the location for our rendezvous—private and far away from prying eyes given the sensitive topic matter. The entire drive over, I can feel the weight of guilt pressing down on me. I'm betraying Fallon by meeting with Mia behind her back, but it's clear that something's going on that I need to know about. And I can only help her if I have more information.

When I arrive at the door, Mia ushers me inside hurriedly. Her eyes are filled with worry, and she looks like she hasn't slept in days. I've never seen her like this before, and it only heightens my concern for Fallon. But, despite her concern, she seems fresh—her house bears the scent of a recent shower combined with the familiar scent of freshly-applied cosmetics.

"Thank you for coming, Aksel," she says, her voice strained. "I didn't know who else to turn to."

"Of course," I reply, trying to sound reassuring. "What's going on?"

Mia takes a deep breath before diving into her story. "Look," she places her hand on my arm. "Fallon's changed," she says. "She's not herself anymore. She's more... " she pauses and looks upward, as if she's hoping the heavens will drop the words she's looking for, "…ruthless, vindictive. I know those are harsh words, but to say anything softer wouldn’t do justice to the changes I’ve seen in her. I'm worried about her, Aksel. Really worried."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I've noticed the subtle changes in Fallon too, but I've been trying to downplay them, thinking they were just a result of stress. Or at least compartmentalize them to her struggles with her family, Linkin particular. But hearing Mia's observations forces me to face the truth: something's seriously wrong with Fallon and it's extending to her work and other parts of her life.

"I've noticed it too," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I thought it was just... I don't know, the pressure of running the firm getting to her. Family drama with Link and the constant pressure from her dad."

"Believe me, I wish it were that simple," Mia says, her eyes filling with tears as she shakes her head. "But it's not. It's so much more than that."

She goes on to explain the rising tension between her and Fallon, how their relationship has become strained and filled with unspoken resentments. She tells me about Fallon feeling betrayed by Mia letting her know that she's considering leaving the company.

As she speaks, it's clear Fallon and Mia's bond is much stronger than I was aware. I didn't even know they were that close, just that they’d known each other since school and they work together now. But Mia seems to have real insight into Fallon's psyche, even moreso than her brothers whose worries were far more generalized. So this conversation has me more alarmed than ever about Fallon's rapidly disintegrating state of mind.

"God, I had no idea it was this bad," I murmur, guilt gnawing away at me. "I wish I could do something more to help."

"Maybe you can," Mia says quietly. "Lately, you've become closer to her than anyone else." A shadow passes across her face and she frowns. "Maybe you can get through to her."

The responsibility weighs heavily on my shoulders, but she's right. I have to try, for Fallon's sake.

“Fenton and Bronson confided in me about Fallon getting in with a bad crowd after I broke up with her,” I frown. “I haven’t raised it with her yet, though. They didn't get into the specifics,only that she was hurt. I want her to feel like she can tell me on her own time. And not feel like everyone was talking about her behind her back. I was really worried about meeting you now for the same reason... I know she can't bear it when she feels like her friends and family are conspiring against her.”

“I understand. I feel a bit cloak and dagger about the whole thing, too. But I didn’t know where else to turn. It didn’t seem right to reach out to her family with all the conflict going on at the moment. What happened back in school has definitely affected her a lot. And she’s certainly developed a healthy fascination with getting revenge on men who behave badly. But I think there’s more to it than that. What happened back in school may be part of it, but there’s a bigger picture.”

"Alright," I say, determination setting in. "I'll do whatever it takes to help her."

Mia breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Aksel. I knew I could count on you."

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of our conversation settling over us. I know this won't be easy, but Fallon's well-being is worth any sacrifice.

"There's something else you should know," Mia says hesitantly. "Fallon's been keeping some dangerous company lately. I've seen her with some shady characters, people rumored to be involved in…various criminal activities. I'm worried she's getting tangled up in something she can't get out of."

My stomach drops at her words. Fallon, mixed up with criminals? That seems far more plausible for her family's business, which I know she avoids involvement with as much as possible, or King Enterprises for that matter. For Fallon's personal empowerment business it seems impossible and unlikely, yet the grim look on Mia's face tells me she's dead serious.

"Why would she get involved with people like that?" I ask, dread pooling in my gut.

"I don't know for sure," Mia says. "But I have a theory. After what happened to her, after she was raped by those four guys...I think maybe she's looking for a way to take back control. And power over others is an easy way to do that, so she's become obsessed with getting revenge on other people who have been wronged. And I think it frees her to help others who are unable to help themselves. Being involved in things like that sometimes takes you into dark places with dangerous people."

The words hit me like a fist to the chest. My mind reels,rapeechoing through my head.

"She was—raped?" I choke out, barely able to utter the nasty word, ice once against sliding through my veins at the thought of anyone hurting my love. "When? How?”

"Back in school," Mia says softly. "By four guys she thought she could trust. She hasn't been the same since."

I stare at Mia, stunned into silence.

"I'm so sorry," she says. "I didn't intend to tell you here, like this. When you said you knew she'd been hurt back in school, I thought you knew the whole story."

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