“You don’t want me when I’m sober, maybe you’ll want me now.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve heard a lot of dumb things in my life, but that takes the cake,” I said, trying to step around him.
“You didn’t know who I was…when I was somebody…maybe you’ll want me now.”
My heart pounded in my chest. He looked so innocent. If he weren’t drunk, this would be an entirely different story. The problem was, I didn’t know if he was telling the truth right now.
“This can wait,” I said, but he shook his head.
“You’re not listening to what I’m saying,” he said as he tried to stay in between me and my car. I could feel my face heating with anger.
“You’re right! I am listening! I don’t care, Liam! Just move!” I stepped around him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm. I jumped, shocked.
“Just hear me out,” he said, but he didn’t have time to finish that. With my fist balled at my side, I pulled my arm away from him.
“Do. Not. Ever. Fucking. Grab. My. Arm. Again.” I stressed each word carefully, so he got the point.
I’d been told that my mean voice could make the devil cry. He looked like he had seen a ghost as he took a step back. I hesitated but kept moving. Maybe I was overreacting, but there were a lot of things I wouldn’t let happen. I wouldn’t move thousands of miles away just to be treated the same way that made me leave.
When I got into my car, I navigated around the cars carefully passing by the house. The yard was lit as always, indicating a party was going on. Against my better judgement, I looked out the window. Liam was kneeling in the grass, hands on his head as I passed. I snapped my head away from his direction, refusing to give that boy any more of my time. He could fail English and kiss whoever he wanted if he stayed away from me. Liam Shafer was in my past, and the funny thing about my past was that I keep it there.
Seventeen
The old Liam was back. That’s what I was told, anyway. The continuous pounding of my head was the only proof I needed. I was lying on my back, staring at my ceiling, alone thankfully. The only good thing in all of this was that I didn’t wake up with some rando in my bed. It was past one in the afternoon. I’d missed class, but I hadn’t missed tutoring. Slowly, I peeled myself from the bed and took a shower, so I wouldn’t be late to the coffee shop.
I didn’t remember a damn thing. Through a foggy memory, I thought Autumn showed up last night, but I hoped I was wrong. I didn’t know what the hell happened. I let the hot water wash the anxiety away. If she was there, I would hear about it.
When I got to campus I parked and walked toward the coffee shop. I was ten minutes early, so I ordered drinks and waited. She was usually early. Anxious, I looked around the area, searching for her. When fifteen minutes passed, I pulled my phone out and found her name in my phone.
Me: Where are you?
She always responded quickly, but this time she didn’t. Before I could convince myself, it was a bad idea, I walked toward her dorm. I banged on the flimsy door, unsure of what I would say if she did answer. I got nothing. Frustrated, I wiped my hand down my face.
“Autumn, if you’re in there, open up.”
Nothing.
Her classes were over, and I knew she didn’t work on Mondays, unless she happened to pick up an extra shift. I walked over to the bookstore, determined.
“Is Autumn working today?” I asked a short girl with purple hair. Her face lit up.
“She doesn’t work on Mondays. But I can tell her you stopped by,” she said, grinning.
I shook my head. “No. I’ll find her before then.”
“Good luck,” she called after me. Her sarcasm wasn’t missed.
At this point, I knew something happened that I didn’t remember. Earlier, I couldn’t remember if she’d been there. I decided if she was, she probably saw me act stupid, and that was the extent of it. Now, I was thinking it was much worse. I grabbed my phone and called the only person in the world who would help me.
“Hey.” Tyler’s voice does not sound enthusiastic.
“Have you seen that Gabby chick?” I asked, not caring about small talk now. I was in my car and driving in the direction of the house.
He made a sound of disgust, and I rolled my eyes. Autumn had rubbed off on me.
“She’s sitting beside me actually.”
“Where are you?” Relief crashed into me like a wave.
“I’m at her house, dude. Can this wait?”
“Send me her address,” I said before hanging up on him. I knew he was pissed, but I got a text seconds later with an address.
I pulled into an apartment complex on the nicer side of town. Following the signs, I found the building that held Gabby’s apartment. Without hesitation I took the stairs in twos and pounded on her door.
Tyler answered. Clearly, he was not amused by me interrupting him. He stepped out of the apartment and closed the door behind him.
“What’s the big deal?” he asked.
“I’m not here for you,” I said, pushing past him. When I walked inside, Gabby’s eyes went wide. She was sitting on a white sofa, holding a glass of wine in her hand.
“Have you seen Autumn?” I asked.
“Earlier.” Her eyes narrowed.
“I can’t find her. She didn’t show up for tutoring today,” I said.
“Can you blame her?” Her voice was close to a yell.
“I don’t know. Did something happen?”
Her brow furrowed. She watched me, as if I would tell her I was joking at any moment.
“You’re an idiot. That is what happened.”
“Look, I
