I Just Need You - J. Nathan Page 0,5

place?” Elodie asked.

“Not really. I missed home.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I did miss home. But it clearly wasn’t the reason I needed to leave.

The bar must’ve been only a few miles off campus because before long, Marco pulled into a large parking lot with a ton of cars. Once he cut the engine, he jumped out of the driver’s seat and pulled open the back door.

“Why thank you, kind sir,” Alice said, sliding out first and giving him a little curtsy as she did.

I slipped out next. “Thanks, Marco.”

Elodie followed. “Thanks, big man.”

We all headed into the bar. Marco followed, staying a few feet behind us.

The bar was loud and crowded, and I knew instantly that crowded places were a bitch to stake out. Inwardly, I cringed, knowing my last-minute plans likely had Marco scrambling.

I followed the girls to a table on the far side of the bar. A waitress approached us before we even sat, shouting over the music to get our order.

We made small talk as we waited for our drinks and watched the people on the dance floor moving to the music. Alice and Elodie were seniors too. They’d been best friends since elementary school and decided to go to Remington together. They had the uncanny ability to speak at the same time and say the exact same thing which I found hysterical. I wished I had a friend like that, but growing up and attending school with other wealthy kids left little room to forge lasting authentic relationships. It was a lot of one-upping which I despised. It was probably why I had very few friends.

Our drinks arrived, and, ironically, we toasted to new friends.

“Selfie time,” Alice said, holding up her phone so she could get us all into a picture.

“I’m sorry.” I winced. “I can’t take photos.”

They exchanged a look, likely questioning their decision to invite the new girl. Because, at this point, everything about me screamed run the other way and avoid.

“It’s not that I can’t be in a picture,” I explained. “I just can’t have it posted online.”

Since I was supposed to be in school in New York—as far as anyone following me on social media was concerned, I needed to keep a low profile. Staying off social media was condition number one if I wanted to finish school at Remington. And, truthfully, it wasn’t really a hardship since I didn’t stay connected with too many people.

“Are you in the witness protection program or something?” Alice blurted, probably finally fed up with all the mystery surrounding me.

Elodie shot her daggers

“Something like that,” I offered, completely understanding her curiosity. I too would’ve had questions if one of them had transferred from Paris accompanied by her own bodyguards and drivers, and couldn’t have her photo posted online.

“So, if I promise not to post this anywhere, you can be in it?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Deal.”

We all squeezed together and Alice snapped the selfie. And as much as I appreciated her assurance that she wouldn’t post it, it was just a matter of time before I needed to tell them the truth—especially if I wanted to hang out with them again.

We ordered a couple more drinks before Elodie and Alice were dragging me out onto the dance floor. And since I wasn’t a big drinker, the alcohol had gone straight to my head. As I moved to the music, I glanced around, spotting Marco in the corner of the room—sticking out like a sore thumb in his dark clothes and obvious aversion to the club music pumping through the room.

Regardless, his presence still made me feel safe.

The girls and I danced to three or four more songs. And even though I was getting hot and sweaty, I was having so much fun. Once another song ended, I yelled to Alice and Elodie, “I’ve gotta pee.”

Elodie pointed in the direction of the bathrooms.

“Thanks!” I made my way through the crowded dance floor to the hallway in the back corner of the bar and stepped into the back of the long bathroom line. I twisted around, spotting Marco standing where he could still see me. My leg began to bounce as I impatiently waited. The line was so long and I really needed to pee.

The door to the men’s room opened. The hell with it. I stepped out of the ladies’ line and rushed to the men’s room where there was no one waiting. I stopped short, unintentionally blocking the guy inside from leaving. He moved to the