Page 4 - My FlipBook

CHAPTER

ONE

’m smiling as I pack up my bag to leave class. Smiling—I
Iactually do that now. Last year, that would have been un-
thinkable, when even graduating high school and making it
to college seemed like it might never happen for me.
But I made it happen.

I wouldn’t let my father take that from me too.
My English 101 professor just spent the last ten minutes
waxing poetic about Sherlock Holmes and how the detec-
tive doesn’t get enough credit in literary circles. I chuckle,
knowing my Holmes aficionado boyfriend will eat up ev-
erything Tessa said.
In the cacophony of noise—backpacks zipping, people
talking, feet thudding on the floor, everyone rushing to get
outside and experience the early September warmth—I feel
someone staring. Lana, who sits a row ahead of me, nods as
she walks through the open classroom door.
I want to respond, maybe suggest we study together for
an upcoming test or something, but the words evaporate
on my tongue. With Kale still back in Silver Valley, and

Christina and Jess busy with dorm life at each of their new
schools, I haven’t spent much time with my friends. Making
new ones hasn’t been easy either. Lana’s the secretary for
the advocacy club that fights against sexual harassment and
assault on campus.

7

7/27/20 8:36 PM
FLUX_QNMO_FPGS.indd 7
FLUX_QNMO_FPGS.indd 7 7/27/20 8:36 PM