Page 113 of Creed

“Not a dick, just a douche canoe man-whore.” I smile weakly when he chuckles.

“You doing okay?”

“Not really.” I stand from my bed, go to the window over my desk, and stare at the overcast day.

“I’m trying to convince my dad to let me come back earlier,” Zac says.

“How’s that working out?”

“What Byron Watkins wants, Byron Watkins gets. So not likely until closer to the weekend, like originally planned.”

Zac sounds miserable, and I frown. “Areyouokay?”

He exhales harshly. “This isn’t about me. What are we going to do about Sophie?”

I lean against my desk. “Tell me again why you’re so concerned.”

“Because she’s my friend, too. And because maybe I’m not the elitist prick I pretend to be.”

“Okay,” I say slowly, rubbing my left eye, which is twitching. It’s an annoying tic that happens when I’m exhausted and stressed. “Antonio and Miguel are here.” I change the subject to something more productive and helpful than trying to understand Zac. “They have some help; some security people with experience in things like this.”

I leave out the Severyn Andrews piece, my gut telling me that tidbit and her notoriety associated with this won’t help Sophie, and she's is all I care about.

“They want to talk to you,” I add. “I gave them your number.”

“I’ll share whatever I can to be helpful.”

“If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Likewise.” We’re silent until Zac says, “She’s going to be okay, Oll.”

I bite my top lip, resisting the urge to cry again, and look up at my ceiling.

“You okay there by yourself?” he asks.

“Yeah, what do you mean?” My paranoia spikes again.

“It’s spring break; there’s fewer people around.”

“Jesus, you really are doing a complete about-face, aren’t you?”

“Sheesh, can’t a guy be considerate—”

“Yeah, they can, but typically not you.”

“Oh, and you know me so well?”

He's right; I don’t know him. I only know him by his reputation. “Thanks for giving a shit, Zac. I’m fine. Campus is secure,” I say to reassure myself as much as him.

“If Sophie was running away from someone… That happened on campus. We don’t know what’s going on.”

“I know.” My voice sounds squeaky, and I clear my throat. “I’ll be careful.”

“I’ll talk to Jack and ask security to do extra rounds around your building, okay?”

Some of my tension dissipates. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”

“Keep in touch.”

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