Chapter 6 #2
Sumner fumbled his textbook and collected his assignment before moving away from me, as if I’d somehow mutated into a deep-sea viperfish.
A wave of mortification set my skin ablaze.
But instead of throttling Jared, I took the extremely rational route and said yes when Brayden Oram asked me out, if only to prove Jared was an instigating liar.
I refused to give Sumner a reason to ever bring it up again, let alone fuel his ego.
Sumner’s eyes jump to mine before shifting back to Brayden, but I don’t anticipate this turning into an awkward encounter.
Brayden’s harmless, a short king with a mind for engineering and a perpetual habit of losing his Invisalign trays.
So, naturally, Sumner found every possible opportunity to roast me.
“He smells like potato chips,” he’d say, or, “He says oopsie-daisy when he drops something, Carmichael.”
Although this may sound like hell, it had the desired effect.
I was only going along with it to smooth over the conflict my dumbass brother had created, therefore resetting the natural order of things.
Which is not a good reason to go out with someone, but as it turns out, Brayden’s sole idea of romance was making out with me, a hobby he did not excel in, so it was a relief when he got bored and ended it.
“Hey, Delaney,” he says, then glances up at Sumner. “Surprised they didn’t stick us together again this year.”
Sumner pulls his hands into his pockets. “Guess not.”
“Who’s your roommate?”
“Don’t have one.”
That can’t be true. Segner was built to house two people per room, each of which is connected to another room via a bathroom suite. There are pros and cons, but I like to think we got the better deal in our singles, even though Hyde is smaller. Maybe it’s because I share a room with Mads back home.
“Why?” I hear myself ask.
Sumner only shrugs. “An overseas wait-list student got delayed.”
“Man, you’re so lucky,” Brayden protests. “I’m stuck with Mica.”
My mind pulls focus toward Ellerby, who’s now engaged in conversation with three juniors.
How is she able to act like nothing’s wrong when she knows the school has an expiration date?
And if it’s true—what then? Am I supposed to go back to Pennsylvania?
Graduate from a new school with a bunch of people I don’t know?
The thought makes my stomach twist.
A vibration buzzes in my pocket. I pull out my phone and find a text from Analiese. Where are you?
I should find her. We agreed we’d meet here.
Actually, we agreed we’d walk over together, but then she’d changed her mind.
Isn’t it okay for me to change mine? Because a large part of me wants to be alone right now, and I can’t do that if Analiese wants to drone about college applications and SAT scores.
We have the entire weekend to hang out. I can have tonight to myself.
Brayden’s still yammering about Mica. Neither of them pays me any mind as I slip away.
Instead of cutting through the quad, I walk the outer loop of campus.
It’s the more scenic route, maybe three miles round-trip, the whole trail lit by antique lampposts for safety.
Students use it as a jogging or walking course when the weather’s nice, a window that quickly shortens in the winter months.
My dad also used to love long walks around campus.
When I was younger and we still lived here, I’d sometimes join him.
It cleared his head and allowed him the space to think.
The majesty of the Adirondacks were an added bonus.
Even though the skies have cooled to a permeating darkness, I sense the peaks in the distance.
The earthy scent of pine and spruce are a reminder Ivernia is centered around the rich texture of nature.
It’s something he never took for granted.
There’s no guidebook to losing the most important person in your life.
When their favorite song comes on the radio, when you accidentally order their favorite meal, when you find yourself using their catchphrases—it all comes spiraling back.
Even the stages of grief aren’t linear. It’s a scab that starts to heal before it’s accidentally picked over, exposing the sensitive wound all over again.
You don’t only lose what you had; you lose a piece of your future you’ll never get.
Ellerby’s revelation replays in my mind.
I don’t know if it’s better or worse Sumner and I share this information.
If he couldn’t go home last summer, I don’t know what will happen if the school does close.
Hell, I’d vow to be nice to Sumner every day for the rest of the year if it meant Ivernia’s doors could stay open.
There has to be a solution. There must be.
I’m not ready to let go yet. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.
Suddenly, an incandescent light draws my attention to the stars.
Vivid green hues leak across the darkness, a magnificent neon, creating streaked pathways against the sky.
I lose my breath. My dad’s journal predictions had been right—proof of an increase in solar activity, our solar maximum in full force right here in Lake Placid.
The aurora winks and pulses against night’s darkened contrast.
Something moves within my periphery, drawing my attention forward. I squint across the way. The back of Segner House is barely visible, and I’m almost positive I see a figure slip through the back door.
My hands fumble for my phone, heart racing. I hope to god it’s Inessa and not one of the guys. As I tap to my messages, I see she updated the Hyde group chat fifteen minutes ago: going in. cover for me.
Oh no no no.
If that wasn’t Inessa, then she’s about to get caught. Crap. As if tonight could get any worse. I didn’t foresee anyone returning this soon. Everyone is supposed to be having a good time for at least another half hour.
abort, I type as fast as my fingers allow. just saw someone go in through the locker room.
A rush of adrenaline sets my nerves on fire. Sumner foiled my first Capture attempt. I can’t let it happen twice. But I’m here, aren’t I? Maybe it’s not too late to cause a diversion.
Inessa doesn’t respond.
Which means—
Damn it. I’m going to have to run.
“Why, why, whyyy,” I groan as I push away from the trail toward Segner House.
I would never cut through the field in any other circumstance, but it’s the most direct route. This stretch is dotted with grandiose elm trees, its ground uneven with corrugated roots and occasional rocks. I’ll be lucky if I don’t twist an ankle.
Sabine and Inessa were thrilled at the possibility of scoring the trophy tonight. We deserve a fighting chance.
My calves are on fire by the time I make it to the other side of the clearing, which feels four thousand miles long.
I pick up speed, bolting across the lawn even though I’m positive a knife is slicing through my ribs.
Why did I take the long loop? What a stupid idea.
I shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions.
I suck down sharp breaths of cold night air that make my lungs feel like they’re going to implode, but I don’t slow. If anything, I use every mental trick in my brain to force myself to move faster. I will not let Hyde suffer another loss.
But as I’m dashing down a small hill, my shoes tearing up the damp grass with the finish line in sight, two things happen very quickly and all at once.
Either my tunnel vision is so unwavering that I’ve failed to notice someone throwing themself directly in front of me, or they’ve seemingly appeared smack-dab in my hell-bent path.
And second, despite my best attempt at slowing down to avoid a collision, I have way too much forward momentum working in my favor.
I scream.
He screams.
And the next thing I know, I charge right into him as we both go flying into the air before landing hard onto the solid earth.