Page 82 of Don’t Forget Me

But I couldn’t have stopped myself, even if I wanted to. And it was then that I realized just how deep my fury ran into the roots of my being.

It was also the day I realized I would never open up to another person like I had done with Ezra. I let him see every shard of my broken soul and he had taken me for granted. People were like that; I had already been aware of it since I was a child.

Spoiled rich boy with a dark past. I should’ve known better.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked. My arms cradled my own body as I shifted my gaze toward my roommate, who in a matter of months had become my confidant.

There was nothing but agony in her expression, a reflection of my own. She served as a mirror to the broken heart that I harbored within my ribcage. Cami sat, cross-legged, on her bed. She looked down at her fidgeting fingers. Although she’d been aware of the machinations planned against me, I hadn’t reacted with her the same way that I had with Ezra. Ezra was the one who had hurt me; he deserved to see that side of me.

Camille had been my companion in Blackthorn from the moment we stepped off the bus. She didn’t need to see that part of me.

“I found out around the same time as you. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. I was dealing with something on my own when I overheard what was going on. I’m so sorry, Lys.”

My very soul wished to scream.

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not. He lied to you.”

I wished to break every window in the castle. I wanted to howl and cause damage to the people who hurt me. Ezra, Zack, and Scarlett. I yearned for vengeance. If only I dared to act upon my rage. Instead, I said, “Every choice has a consequence.”

I found a bit of solace in the thought.

“What are you going to do? Please don’t tell me you’re going to do something crazy,” she asked.

I wish I could.

“I’m not. Life will take care of it for me.” I tried to force a smile on my face.

She pushed herself off her bed, finding a spot in mine and pulling me into her embrace. The lump in my throat only worsened as I felt the comforting touch of an empathic friend. “Are you really going to leave?” she asked.

After receiving a follow-up email from Lachlan Prep, I had no other choice but to take them up on their offer.

“I think it’s for the best,” I whispered, my eyes landing on the open envelope lying on Camille’s mattress. She’d been reading between the lines and spaces of every word in that letter.

“I’m not staying here without you,” Camille argued.

I chuckled, swiftly wiping off a tear. “What choice do you have?”

“I can apply there as well. Maybe they’ll let us be roommates.”

I rolled my eyes. I had come to learn that she always saw life as an easy task. There was a solution to every problem she searched for. I admired her for that. “Then let’s hope for the best.”

thirty five

LYSANDRA

“Oh, he’s so into you!” Camille squealed, jumping in place. Her bouncing caused me to shake along with her as she held firmly onto my arm.

“Hush!” I hissed, scanning the Scottish strollers that passed beside us.

“He likes you, Lys, why can’t you admit that to yourself?” she asked, eyes bright.

We’d been walking around St. Andrews Square. I was in need of a walk to clear my mind.

The last time I’d been able to speak at length with Ezra had been the morning that he apologized to me. I’d been purposefully avoiding him on set since he had kissed me.

Well, kissed my forehead.