Page 74 of In the Danger Zone
“I don’t want it. I promise. Keep it all. Like you said, everything is so expensive. You don’t have to worry about m-me. I got the n-new one and that’s all that m-matters. This one’s definitely gonna get m-me through the next few years, so that’s a huge plus too.”
“Happy to hear that. And how… How is everyone treating you?” he asked, his voice laced with worry. “If anyone is giving you trouble, you can tell us. We can help. I know it’s college and college is a lot different to high school, but you gotta tell us if there’s anything going on.”
All I could do was keep quiet as I tried to gather my thoughts. My parents didn’t know Asher was on campus with me. I had started lying to just about everybody who had ever showed me some kindness.
“Everything’s fine,” I said. “People are really nice here. M-My friend – Leena – was the one who helped m-me pick out a laptop. She even drove m-me to the store.”
“She sounds lovely.”
I smiled at the thought of her, of her being just as excited as I was that the refund finally got sent to my account. She had practically dragged me to the store the other day to get a new laptop.
“She is,” I continued. “She’s b-been a really good friend to m-me. I’m glad I m-met her.”
“I’m glad you met her too, honey.”
I suddenly heard another voice. A softer one. It was my mom. My parents seemed to be arguing over the phone.
“I’ll put it on speaker,” Dad spoke up. “That way we can all talk at the same time.”
“Lucky I taught you how to do that before I left,” I laughed.
“Well, not all of us are well versed in technology,” Mom said. “Hey, sweetie. How’s everything going?”
“Good, Mom. I got a n-new laptop the other day, so I’m pretty excited about that. It’s gonna m-make life a lot easier.”
“Oh, perfect,” Mom said happily. “Took them long enough. Enjoy it, honey. And how is everything else? The people? How are they treating you? Are people being nice? Are they mean? People can be so rude sometimes, Daisy. Is everyone treating you nicely?”
The questions overwhelmed me for a moment. They couldn’t know about Asher. They’d drag me back home instantly. “People are a lot n-nicer here. M-My professors are really helpful too. Everyone… Everyone is friendly.”
“Are you doing okay?” Dad asked. “Are you alright? I already know you’re gonna pass every class, but what aboutyou? Are you okay?”
“Are the people there really nice?” Mom chimed up.
“Has anyone tried to hurt you?”
“You need to tell us if anyone’s tried to hurt you.”
“Please, Daisy. You can be honest with us.”
“We just want you to be safe.”
My eyes widened at all the questions. They widened even more when I saw my boyfriend walking towards me, a big smile on his face. Evan sent me a wave, moving fast.
Oh, God.
“We want you to have fun there, Daisy, but you can understand why we’re so worried,” said Mom.
“We just don’t want anything bad to happen to you, honey,” Dad spoke up next.
Evan kept getting closer, and I gave him a shaky wave.
“We just want you to be careful.”
“Pleasebe careful.”
“I will b-be,” I insisted, watching Evan approach me. He was just a few feet away. “You guys don’t have to worry.”
“Of course we have to worry,” Mom said.
