He turns fully now, stares at me with those cold, dead eyes. “See you tonight, Lexi.”
Then he walks off.
And I’m left standing there, shaking with rage and fear and something I can’t name.
I storm off in the opposite direction, pulling out my phone with trembling fingers. I dial Thea before I even think about what I’m going to say.
She picks up on the second ring. “What’s up?”
“I’m meeting with him tonight.”
Silence. Then, “What do you mean?”
“I just talked to him.”
“You talked tohim, Lexi? Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I’m meeting him tonight, and I need you to follow us.”
“I’m not following you!”
“Yes, you are!” I’m walking fast now, cutting across the quad toward the lecture hall. “I’m late for class.”
“Late for class? It’s the first day! You’ll lose your scholarship—”
“I’ll tell the professor I got lost. It’s the first day. It’s fine.” I’m at the building now, pulling open the door. “I’ll see you tonight. Wear all black.”
“Lexi—”
I hang up. Shove the phone in my pocket. Take the stairs two at a time.
My hands are still shaking.
I find a seat and pull out my phone and bite my nails. I open up Axel and I’s text messages and start typing.
Lexi:Are you okay?
Nothing.
Lexi:Axel, please. We need to talk.
Nothing.
Lexi:I know you’re in deep shit, but I want to help. I can help.
Nothing.
By lunch, I’ve sent eleven texts. He hasn’t responded to any of them.
I meet Thea at her dorm for lunch. She opens the door looking exhausted, dark circles under her eyes.
“Come in,” she mutters, stepping aside.
Her roommate is on her bed, phone in hand, scrolling TikTok. She doesn’t even look up when I walk in.
“This is Lexi,” Thea says, jerking her thumb in my direction.
The roommate ignores us, eyes still glued to her screen. “Cool.”
