You're the Reason - J. Nathan Page 0,12

looked through the window out into the darkness. About fifty yards out, I spotted Chase turn away from the building and walk in the opposite direction.

He’d followed me home?

Why?

CHAPTER SIX

Chase didn’t show up to History through Film the following morning. I wondered if he was avoiding me, since our encounter the previous night ended so badly.

When he still wasn’t there Wednesday, I began to get curious. Maybe it wasn’t me. Maybe something else was going on with him. But if I asked Chantel, I’d be raising questions I didn’t want to have to answer.

On Friday, when he still wasn’t there, I could think of nothing else throughout Professor Irons’ lecture. Our last conversation played through my mind. Why had he wanted to get the paper done so early? He’d blamed having something to do—likely fraternity rush stuff I assumed, but that wasn’t happening at eight o’clock in the morning.

***

My legs bounced restlessly as Chantel joined Valerie and me for breakfast on Saturday morning for the first time ever. Our normally light conversation seemed forced and awkward with Chantel there.

“We’re partying at Kappa Sigma tonight,” Chantel said.

“I haven’t seen Chase around lately,” Valerie said.

My head whipped in Valerie’s direction. She noticed he’d been missing too? I hadn’t mentioned it to her. Hell. I hadn’t mentioned anything about him to anyone.

“Why would you?” Chantel snapped at her, making me thankful I hadn’t been the one to bring it up.

Valerie’s eyes grew distant and her shoulders sagged.

A sinking feeling formed in my stomach. I hated the way Chantel spoke to Valerie.

It was as if no one had the guts to speak up to her. I guess I understood their fear. Her sugar-sweet personality definitely had the tendency to switch like lightning. No wonder why she had a thing for Chase. His split personality mirrored hers.

***

“You’re coming, right?” Chantel asked as she returned from her shower later that night.

“Nah. I’m just gonna stay in tonight,” I said, knowing I’d been banned from Kappa Sigma. And, since I hadn’t seen Chase since Sunday night’s incident, running into him when drinks were flowing freely seemed like a bad idea.

She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Thirty minutes later, there was a knock on the door. “Can you get that?” Chantel asked, as she curled her hair in the closet mirror.

I rolled off my bed and pulled open the door. A group of sorority girls filed in, filling the room. Laughter and chatter overtook our once quiet space, and girls drinking from red cups made themselves comfortable on my bed—where I’d been laying.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” Valerie’s roommate Tina asked me.

I leaned against my desk. “I’m staying in tonight.”

“Why?” another girl asked as if I’d lost my mind.

Valerie leaned against the desk beside me. “Please come.”

“I’m just not feeling it. Next time.”

Her lips twisted regrettably. I was starting to see she liked having me around. I’d become a sort of buffer between her and the others. “Text if you change your mind.”

I nodded, feeling guilty for not being there for her.

Within minutes, the girls were up and heading out. Valerie looked over her shoulder. “You sure?”

I nodded. “Have fun.”

Once the room had emptied out and silence filled the small space again, I switched on the television and chose a movie to stream. I climbed under my blankets and settled in, watching my movie in peace. Once it ended, I contemplated beginning a new one.

My phone pinged beside me, pulling my attention to it. I grabbed it and checked the screen. It came from an unknown caller. Didn’t take you for someone who followed orders.

I typed a reply. Who is this?

The text appeared almost immediately. How many people give you orders?

My heart rate quickened. I knew there was only one person who’d send that text. And by now, he would’ve realized I followed that order and hadn’t shown up with the others. I stared at my screen, waiting for another text. But another one didn’t come.

What had his text meant? Was he challenging me? Taunting me? Laughing at me?

For a minute, I considered going to the party. But as much as staying away from Kappa Sigma had given Chase what he wanted, showing up would’ve been doing the same. He was making this a challenge. He was testing me. But why?

And, why had he followed me home from the library? Was he really just worried about my safety?

I checked the time. Eleven-fifteen.

Hmmm.

I rolled off my bed and moved to my closet, looking for something to wear—if I decided to go.

I could just