“Should we make necklaces or something? I can wear your tight-ass professor jacket to school… prove to everyone we’re going steady”
Tristan’s warm chuckle had me smiling. I kept my eyes closed. “It would only make sense.”
“Does that mean you’re going to label us?”
“Yeah.” Tristan tucked my hair behind my ear and kissed my cheek. “I think I’ll type in the word girlfriend and slap it onto your face. That way, there’s no confusion.”
“Better put whose girlfriend.”
“That’s easy…” He hugged me tighter. “Mine.”
“Yours.” I smiled again. “I like the sound of that.”
“Yeah, that makes two of us.”
I fell asleep after that, unable to keep my eyes open any longer. The next morning we barely had time to scarf down breakfast before Tristan drove me back to campus.
He gave me a hungry kiss before ushering me out of the car; both of us had meetings, though mine I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be having.
“So…” Jack’s voice nearly had me tripping over my own feet as I reached my dorm. I turned around and squinted against the sun. “Is it just me, or is our professor taking a really special interest in you?”
“It’s you.” I rolled my eyes. “I have to grab a few things. Why are you so early all the time?”
“Part of my charm.” He grinned. “Can I come up with you? Sorry, I just really have a headache, and the damn Seattle sun is killing my eyes. Promise I won’t make a sound. I just want to lie on your couch and forget the fact that I actually don’t need my umbrella today.”
I hesitated for a minute then realized I was being rude. “Um, sure.”
“Awesome.”
We walked in silence up the stairs and into my room. I pointed to the couch and dropped my keys onto the table. Jack went over and made himself at home, punching the throw pillow and closing his eyes like he really didn’t feel well.
“Do you need ibuprofen or anything?”
“Is it laced with opiates?”
“Um, no.”
“Then I’m good.” Jack flashed me a smile and closed his eyes.
“Okay, well, I’m just going to hop into the shower really quick, and then I’ll be ready.”
He lifted his hand into the air, waving me off. “Take your time.”
I grabbed my bathrobe and ran into the bathroom. It was weird that he was in my room, but I tried not to overthink it. He’d been nothing but nice and protective, and it was totally wrong for me to assume that he was anything but a good guy.
I showered, dressed, brushed my teeth, ran my hands through my messy hair, put on a baseball cap, and managed to swipe on some mascara — all within fifteen minutes.
“Lisa?” Jack’s muffled voice came from the main room.
I shut my bedroom door and ran out. “What’s up?”
Jack was completely white, like he’d seen a ghost. “I’m not trying to freak you out more, and I’m pretty thankful I’m here right now, all things considering, but I think you should look at this.” He held up a newspaper clipping. Angry red markings had been scribbled across it: Your fault!
I read the caption, “Young man jumps off bridge, falls to his death.”
Feeling sick, I took a step back and covered my mouth so I wouldn’t puke all over the place. My stomach dropped to my knees.
“Hey, hey,” Jack came around and draped his arm over my shoulders then guided me to the couch. “Sit down, it’s okay. It’s going to be fine.”