12. Kirin
Kirin
On Friday night, Kirin had just climbed onto the team bus headed for their away game against Jefferson College when news of a major scandal at Westmont hit and spread like wildfire.
He wasn’t immune to curiosity and could feel himself being sucked into the rabbit hole as he sat in his usual spot, scrolling through the articles.
Westmont University Releases Report Confirming Student Assaults After Yearlong Investigation
Iron Cove, MI — After nearly a year of internal investigation, Westmont University has released official findings detailing multiple incidents of sexual assault committed by its students—including several involving members of its athletic programs.
The report marks a significant shift for the university, which faced mounting criticism for its previous handling of such allegations.
Nearly three years ago, rumors began circulating about female students being drugged and sexually assaulted at campus gatherings.
At the time, university officials dismissed or downplayed the claims, citing insufficient evidence and procedural limitations.
The newly released documents, however, confirm that several of those early reports were credible, raising renewed questions about institutional accountability and the university’s commitment to student safety.
He swiped out of the article and opened another one, rubbing his forehead while trying to ignore the mounting dread.
Assault Charges Against Multiple Football Players Mark a Reckoning for Westmont University
Iron Cove, MI — Westmont University is facing mounting scrutiny following the resignation of its president, Patrick G. Morris, amid revelations that senior administrators ignored reports of drugging, assault, and harassment involving multiple female students.
According to university officials, Morris stepped down earlier this week after an internal investigation found that he and several faculty members failed to take appropriate action when initial complaints surfaced.
The inquiry uncovered evidence suggesting that multiple incidents were downplayed to protect the university’s high-profile athletic programs.
In the wake of the findings, Westmont has dismissed head football coach Gregory Johans and disciplined athletic director Andrew Martinez for their roles in the mishandling of student reports.
Several football players have also been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing criminal and university disciplinary proceedings.
The university has pledged to implement safeguards aimed at prioritizing student safety and transparency, though many students and alumni have voiced frustration over what they describe as years of institutional negligence.
“You’re looking a little green there,” Leon said as he dropped into the seat across the aisle. Harrison took the seat beside Kirin, his headphones already blasting music in his ears. “Whatcha reading?”
When he didn’t respond, Harrison pulled his headphones off, leaning over Kirin’s shoulder. “Kirin, are you okay, man? What’re you looking at?”
There was a beat of silence before Harrison hummed in his ear. “Ah, the Westmont shit show.”
Leon leaned toward Harrison, his voice moving from its usual tone to a quieter one as he leaned over when Kirin didn’t respond immediately. “Are you concerned Rose is involved in this?”
Harrison’s eyes widened. “Has she mentioned anything?”
Kirin grabbed his snack bag of jerky and shoved a handful into his mouth, then handed his phone over to his best friend. He popped a few more pieces into his mouth while he watched Leon’s blue eyes drop to another headline and mutter a soft curse under his breath.
Kirin chewed, swallowing the burst of salt and teriyaki, while he tried not to worry about how Rose might do with all this. Everything she wouldn’t say in the library felt a lot like it was pointing to whatever shit had gone on at Westmont.
“Have you heard from her?” Leon asked. His voice was still low enough on the loud bus as the rest of the team climbed on and got their stuff packed in the overhead bins or tucked under the seats.
“Not since yesterday,” he murmured and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand in hopes it would dispel the headache trying to take hold.
Leon hummed and looked over the article again, his finger dragging along the screen as he scrolled. “Would you want to talk about this?”
Kirin shook his head.
“It’s not my business. I didn’t even know who she was a few weeks ago.
She was some obscure thought related to my sister’s broken nose from last year and Laurel’s constant whining over family dinner.
” Kirin rubbed his hand against his eyes again, the headache making his eyes heavy. “What’re the chances she—”
“Kirin, no offense, but take a step back.” Leon handed the phone back, but the article wasn’t on the screen anymore.
In its place was the photo he tagged Rose in.
Her scrunched nose and smile lit up the screen.
“She looks happy. Whatever was going on in the background wasn’t an issue when you took this photo.
Maybe that’s what she needs, instead of another person asking her about whatever happened or why she left Westmont. ”
Part of him wanted to believe him, to trust that Leon was right because he had a sense of people like nobody else. And when he looked at Harrison, who was sitting between them, quiet and watchful, Kirin often forgot he was present. He found the same knowing look.
“You think he’s right?” he asked Harrison, and the quiet blond motioned for his phone, which he handed over.
“Why are you asking him?” Leon asked, his hand waving at their friend. “He doesn’t know her any more than I do, and he’s terrible with people.”
“I don’t like most people. I’m not terrible with them when I try, you ass.
There is a difference,” Harrison grumbled as he scrolled through Kirin’s phone for a second before he navigated over to Rose’s Instagram account.
What they found had Kirin sucking in a breath.
“Well, if your surprise is anything to go by, I’d say she made her own statement. ”
“I didn’t know she posted that.”
“Me neither.” Harrison shrugged and scrolled down to the older photos of her. “She looks happier with you than she has in a while, if these photos are any indication. Leave it at that. Her past is her past. If she wants to share it with you, then she will.”
Kirin glanced down at the grid of photos again, moving between the photo of her with him and the others.
He focused on her eyes, how they were dull and distant in the posts from the last year.
There was a stark contrast to the vibrant fire he now associated with her.
There were some bright spots from the spring, photos of her with her mom working on her Bronco.
But her photos from the start of the season at Montgomery, the ones of her while she played, none of them held any brightness or joy.
“You are such a goner, man.” Leon downed his water, keeping his voice low as they started moving. “I’ve never seen you this screwed up over a girl.”
“He doesn’t keep girls around long enough to get screwed up over them,” Harrison murmured as he wiggled down in his seat and crossed his arms, his head leaning back as he closed his eyes. “Can’t wait to see what happens.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Kirin grumbled, but his traitorous best friends only laughed. Harrison’s was little more than a rumble beside him. “It’s just a project, not like we’re planning a wedding.”
“Yeah, sure, when you get your head out of your ass and remember you don’t hunt down girls across campus, I’ll make sure not to scream ‘I told you so’ too loud.” Leon leaned his head back against the rest and closed his eyes.
“With support like this, it’s a wonder we aren’t all in relationships,” Kirin griped, and earned another rumbling chuckle from his best friends.
“Get some rest, man,” Leon said and settled into his seat, relaxing for the rest they all needed. But Kirin wasn’t in the headspace for it, so instead he opened his messaging app and texted his partner.
Kirin
Headed to the airport. I saw an article about Westmont. Are you okay?
Rose
I saw that. Travel safe.
When she didn’t answer his question, he rubbed his thumb over his lower lip. This wasn’t really his business, but he still wanted to know she was okay, for her to know he was there if she needed him.
Kirin
Are we friends, Flower?
Rose
A work in progress, I’d think.
Kirin
Then will you at least tell me if you’re okay?
Rose
I’m managing, but you’ll have to get to know me better for more than that.
Kirin
I’d like to get to know you.
Rose
This relationship is for a project, Kirin. We’re not besties.
Kirin
Don’t shut me out now. If you don’t wanna talk about it, then ask me a question.
Rose
What’s your favorite color?
Kirin
What a cop-out. Do you have a guess?
Rose
Gray. You wear it every time I see you.
He started to type out a rejection of that claim because his closet was definitely full of color until he glanced down at his clothes, and sure enough, he was wearing a gray Montgomery Athletics sweatshirt.
Damn.
Rose
You’re wearing gray right now, aren’t you?
Kirin
That’s beside the point.
Rose
Ha!
Shouldn’t you be sleeping? I should be.
Kirin
But you’re talking to me. Anything you want to know?
Rose
Not really.
Kirin
Harsh.
Was it desperate to send a second text pushing her? Probably, but he couldn’t find it in him to care, so he sent a second one and hoped she’d be willing to talk.
Kirin
I’ll answer anything.
Rose
Damn, this must be a tremendous hit to your pride and cool guy image if you’re double texting lil old me.
How embarrassing for you.
Kirin huffed out a laugh, trying to keep it quiet. Thankfully, Harrison didn’t do much more than adjust his position as he responded with an equally absurd text.
Kirin
“Lil old me”? What are you, eighty?
Rose
Yes, you’ve found me out. I’m Benjamina Button.
Go to sleep.
Kirin
Ask me something first.
Rose
No.
Kirin
I’ll keep texting you until you pretend to be interested.
Rose
You are ridiculous.
Kirin
Not the first person to tell me that this week.
Please, Flower, pretend to care.
Rose
Anything for you, Daddy.
That was heavy sarcasm, in case you couldn’t tell.
What TED Talk could you give without notice?
It took him all of three seconds to answer that.
Kirin
The concept of the multiverse as evidenced through actors and their connected roles.
Rose
What the actual fuck?
Kirin
Too weird?
Rose
You mean, you connect actors from their various works and argue that every movie is connected, and it’s actually all the same person?
Kirin
Yeah?
Rose
We are definitely discussing this later.
You should beat Jefferson without much fight.
He blinked down at his phone.
Kirin
You know who I’m playing?
Rose
Does having a tab open to the game schedule count?
Kirin
Yes.
Rose
Then yes, but I was mostly working on an essay.
Kirin
Idk what to say. I might be blushing.
Rose
Go to sleep.
Kirin
Are you okay? Seriously?
Rose
I’ll be fine.
Kirin
How are the ribs?
Rose
Frozen.
Kirin
Good, I saw you won your game last night.
Rose
We did.
Kirin
Is the team still being standoffish?
Rose
Yep, go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow if you insist.
Kirin
Deal. Good night, Flower.
Rose
Good night, Daddy.
Kirin double-tapped her message and sighed to himself, switching his phone over to “Do Not Disturb” mode before sliding his headphones out of his backpack, putting them in place, and starting her playlist again.
Like every other late-night trip, he slouched in his seat and crossed his arms, letting his head fall back against the seat as sleep dropped over him.