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“Okay. Thank you.”
I wave goodbye to Malia, check out the book I need for my project and head back to my dorm. On the way my phone buzzes with messages on the group chat I have with the guys. They’ve been acting really weird lately, picking up on my anxiety over this rift with Malia and encouraging me to make things right between us. I can’t wait to tell them the breakthrough I had today, or to ask them if they know the giant of a guy Malia was flirting with.
I’m just about to text them back when my phone rings. It’s my parents. My heart sinks but I know I have to answer it.
“Update report on Malia. It’s overdue, Summer,” my mother snaps. No hi, how are you, darling. I shake my head and suppress my sigh.
“Hi, Mum, Dad.”
“Don’t be cute with us, missy. You’re supposed to check in every day. If you’re not useful to this assignment, we can send in backup.”
“No! That won’t be necessary, guys. I’ve got this.” I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. I don’t want backup. Anyone my parents send here won’t have Malia’s best interests at heart, no matter what my parents claim. “Malia’s doing amazingly well.”
“Really? How so?”
“She’s started going to class again.”
“What?!?” My mother screeches down the lines I pull the phone away from my ear, but it’s too late, the damage has been done.
“Jeez, easy, mum. I thought that was a good thing? Her therapist has recommended her medications get reduced at her next review.”
“This is not a good thing, Summer! How fucking stupid are you?” My father’s voice lashes me down the line, making me wince far more than my mother’s screeching. “We don’t want Malia out and about where anyone can get to her.”
“I don’t understand—” I try to tell my parents for the hundredth time. How is Malia in so much danger? Why aren’t I allowed to tell her this? What aren’t they telling me?
“Just do as you’re told, Summer. You’re tasked with keeping Malia safe, so do it. If she dies, it’s on your head. One more screw up young lady and not only will we send in someone more capable to take care of things, but we’ll ship you home too!”
The phone goes dead before I can argue the unfairness of the entire situation. How is this my fault? Why do I deserve to have my education and time here at SCU cut short?
I swear, I love Malia, I do. But she’s becoming the biggest pain in my ass ever.
