A flash stabs my head as a memory invades my senses.
We shouldn’t have broken the rules, Reina.
I sit cross-legged on the rooftop of the college and cradle a plate on my lap.
My gaze gets lost in the buildings that extend all over the city. It’s not exactly beautiful, but it’s ancient.
Like the entire college.
Blackwood is a few centuries old, and this has always been one of the top towns for business and for rich people like Alex—and my dad.
Oh, and the mafia people who worked with my dad.
Since that van incident, I haven’t noticed anyone trailing after me. After I told Alex about it, he told me to always stay in crowds.
Just because they’re gone doesn’t mean they won’t come back, Reina.
His last words shoot terror down my spine. Still, I need a breather from the fakery sometimes.
A week has come and gone. Every day I go to college and pretend today will be better.
Today, I won’t hate Old Reina.
It’s proving to be an epic failure. The more I get to know the girl from before, the more intense my existential crisis becomes.
That’s probably why I snuck up here all alone. It’s hard since the squad won’t stop following me all over campus.
Sitting here on my own feels a tad liberating. I can breathe without feeling a constant weight on my chest.
I stab my fork at my plate. It’s chicken today. Not great, but still way better than salad.
Another reason for my mood is last night’s dream—or was it a nightmare?
I held someone’s arm and kept running like we were escaping death. It was so dark, I couldn’t see whose hand I was holding, but I could feel our connection. I felt safe with that person, like we could fly to the
moon and swim amongst the stars.
Then suddenly, they let go of my hand. I screamed, but no sound came out. Then something hit the back of my neck and I woke up with a start.
I can’t stop thinking about that dream. No idea if it’s a figment of my imagination or a memory.
Let’s hope it’s the first, because I don’t want that person hurt.
I might not have seen them, but my heart remembers them. It’s been aching non-stop since I woke up.
Losing my appetite, I push the plate away and lie on my back. I couldn’t care less if my skirt and shirt get dirty.
Nothing really matters now.
The only bright spot this week was removing my leg brace. I can walk without it just fine now. The bruises have started to fade, too.
I stare at the afternoon sun in the middle of the sky and lift my hand as if I can reach it.
Maybe if I can, I’ll box it up and use it whenever that gloomy cloud takes control of my head.
I have classes in the afternoon, but I just don’t care about them, or about my fake friends.
So I just close my eyes and let the sun soak me.