Page 28 of On Broken Wings

“I can’t.” She glanced around, and a moment of panic settled over her when she saw the time. “It’s dark out.” She began shoving books in her backpack.

“We’ve been in here for hours. Aren’t you hungry?” I reached across the table and touched her arm, another mistake I keep making.

“No.” She yanked it back as her eyes widened.

“Sorry.” I sighed. “Where are you heading? I’ll walk you.” I shoved back from the table, and stood. She looked so small sitting there and blinking up at me.

“I take the L home every day.” She frantically tossed her backpack on her shoulder, and attempted to step around me.

“You’re not walking across campus by yourself. It’s dark. There are a lot of weirdos out there.” I jogged along behind her and she twisted and weaved her way to the main door.

“I’m fine,” she called out, but I kept up with her pace.

“Jenni.” I stepped in front of her just as she got to the bottom of the steps. “Let me help you.” She must have seen that I wasn’t giving in, and finally relented.

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes.

I couldn’t understand how someone who seemed petrified of me, and people in general, wasn’t worried about walking in the dark. It didn’t make sense, but then again, nothing about this girl did.

Chapter 12

Jenni

It’s been about eight months now. Spring is here, and so is everyone’s spring fever apparently. Even the teachers seem ready for the semester to end. Evan and I have developed a strange friendship. We study a few times a week, and talk through campus messenger online, but that’s it. It’s odd. Some days I wonder if he likes me. The idea of it makes me giddy and petrified at the same time. I like the way things are with him. We talk. We laugh. We share notes from the classes we have together. It’s almost normal.

He’s walked me to the L a couple of times. He even offered to drive me home once, but I wouldn’t let him. I’m not ready for him to know where I live. Mason’s been pushing me to invite him over, but I just can’t go there yet. I’ve reminded him a few dozen times how long it took to work things out with Dani. He usually shuts right up after that.

One thing that has been good for me— I started a job. It’s not really what you think. I’m working for Dev and Jase. They own Ford Stevenson Securities. Mason suggested that I work as an administrative assistant, and help run their books. I’ve been there about two weeks now. Dev seems to like the job I’m doing, so that helps, and I feel safe there. I’ve never had a real job. Mason’s always paid all our bills. He’s engaged now though, and I know that he and Dani will want a place of their own. He says I can stay with them, but I think that might be a little awkward. I told myself that I’d find my own apartment by the end of the semester. I’m forcing myself to grow up. I know I can do this, and I know that once I move out, I’ll feel so much more liberated. As scared as I am of repeating the past, I have to move on and be an adult.

oooooooo

“I’m meeting Dani for coffee. Wanna come with, and I’ll drop you at school after?” Mason called from somewhere down the hallway.

I was changing clothes for the third time. “No thanks. I’ll take the L.” I sighed as I tossed yet another top onto my bed. The weather was starting to warm more, and I’ve been having a hard time finding tops to cover my scars. Mason keeps telling me not to cover them, but I feel exposed in so many ways when I don’t.

“Ok. I’ll see you back here tonight. Remember we’re going out.” The door slammed, and I was surrounded by silence again.

“Yeah, I remember,” I muttered to myself. Mason had wanted to take me out to celebrate that I only had one year of school left. I know he’s trying to be sweet, but I’d rather just hang here tonight and binge on the latest Netflix show.

I finally decided on a long-sleeved tee, and added several bangles to my wrists to cover them. I slung my backpack over my shoulder, and rushed down to the street level.

The sun was high. I slipped my sunglasses on to help with the glare when something out of the corner of my eyes caught my attention. I couldn’t tell who it was exactly, but it looked like Evan. There was couple standing close to a building at the other end of the block. The guy had his back to me, and the girl was standing in front of him. She looked angry, and she was dressed in all black. Her dark hair was pulled back, and the longer they talked, the more it seemed like something was wrong. The guy was shaking his head like he was saying ‘no’.

I shook it off, and turned to head for the L. I shouldn’t have turned around. I should have ignored my instincts, but the last time I did that I ruined my life. As I rounded the corner to my station, I glanced back to see if the couple was still there. The girl was gone, but the guy was now facing me. His eyes met mine, and I was faced with a shocked Evan.

oooooooo

Evan

“Meeting here is not a good idea,” I growled as I glanced down the alley. “She knows me, and if she sees me things are not going to go well. How will I explain myself?” I flung my arms out to the side.

“Tell her you were in the neighborhood. She doesn’t need to know that you know where she lives.” Toni rolled her eyes. “I told you yesterday that we needed to meet. Don’t ignore me when I call you.”

“What’s so important?” I glanced toward Jenni’s apartment again.

“A new shipment is coming in. You need to be there for the handoff. Tell Vince whatever you need to in order to be there for the buy. I want this tracked on campus.” She stepped closer. “You good?”

“I’m good.” I ran my fingers through my hair. I still wasn’t used to it being this long. I’ve always worn short hair. Consequence of the job. “Vince doesn’t trust me yet. I’m not sure if I can get that close.”

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