The Scammer(46)

The word cuts like a sharp knife up my chest but I breathe in and lean into the blade.

“Cult?” I parrot with a chuckle. “Who called it a cult?”

“Well, isn’t it kinda obvious?”

Obvious to everyone except the ones in it, I think to say but hold my tongue. Because I can’t give this theory oxygen. It needs to die so my dreams can go on living. But the thought of my friends being suckered into something so heinous so quickly gives me whiplash.

Friends? You’re a part of it too.

That’s when I spot her. Leaning against a tree, watching me. She would be just another shadow in the crowd except I recognize her face. I’ve seen her in our suite. But she’s not just watching, she’s on the phone. . . . She’s on the phone with him!

She’ll tell him what she saw, that I was on a bench, talking to the white boy who boldly walked into our dorm, into Devonte’s home, like he had a right. Hot dread swells up my belly as I stare back at her in horror.

“Jordyn?” Nick asks, frowning. “What’s wrong?”

“Hey, I have to go,” I cough out and jump off the bench.

“What?”

“I just . . . I just have to go.”

Nick is on his feet. “What, no, Jordyn. This is serious. Come back!”

I don’t answer him as I bolt, mind and heart racing with nowhere to go.





Sixteen




Frazier has a gorgeous campus. Especially at dusk.

I stroll through the Quad under a red-orange sky, making a point to take in the architecture of every building, the various monuments, intricate iron gates leading to the Quad, and the walkway made of bricks etched with the names of famous alum. I’ve been making my way around campus for hours, trying to come up with an excuse to avoid the punishment to come.

Everything is falling apart quicker than I ever imagined it would.

On the Quad, clusters of friends giggle on benches, debating music, sports, and celebrities. Things the girls and I used to talk about. Those few euphoric weeks when it was just us. All I ever wanted. A belonging, a clique.

And before the girls, all I had was Kevin . . . then I was alone.

Loneliness has a way of holding a mirror up, showing the emptiness of your life that you’re too ashamed to admit that you’re ashamed of, despite it not being your fault.

Back in high school, I remember watching students making prom plans, going to basketball games, and voting for homecoming king and queen thinking . . . how could the world keep spinning now that Kevin is gone? Did anyone even feel the earth come to a halt when he left us? Hear life come crashing down all around us? I did. I felt every ounce of the change happening that I could never return to normal. There weren’t many people that wanted to stay in my orbit or wanted me in theirs after that.

Well . . . there was one.

I take out my phone and he answers on the fourth ring.

“Yeah,” he spits.

“Hey Jack,” I mumble, and it feels good to hear his voice, despite his abrasiveness. “You busy?”

“What’s up? I’m in the middle of something.”

I remind myself that he wouldn’t have answered if he didn’t care.

“I just wanted to say again . . . I’m sorry. For how things ended. It wasn’t fair to you.”

There’s a long moment of silence before I hear him take a deep breath.

“Jordyn . . . what the hell happened? Everyone thought I should break up with you. But I didn’t. I stood by you. And then you just . . . ditched me for some Black school no one’s ever heard of.”

I shake my head as if he can see me. “You mean you and your family never heard of. Lots of people know Frazier. It’s one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the country.”

“HB-what? You’re even talking crazy now, Jordyn. If you wanted to just be around some Black guys, you could’ve just said that. It’s just . . . I put my neck out being with you and this is the thanks I get?”

“Wowww,” I say with a chuckle. “You wanted a cookie for being with a Black girl? Well. Guess I’m glad I called.”

“It wasn’t even like that and you know it! Don’t make this a race thing.”

I cough out a laugh. “Then what was it like?”

“You stopped being you after . . . you know. And I get it, I guess. But that was two years ago. When are you going to move on and stop being so pissed!”

I clutch the phone, fingers burning hot enough to melt the case. “It wasn’t some long illness he was diagnosed with. He wasn’t sitting in hospice waiting to die and I had time to prepare. He was snatched from us and you expect me to just get over it!”

Jack huffs, his voice cold.

“Jordyn, this plan of yours . . . is freaking crazy. And you’re acting like he was murdered when he was the murderer!”

Blood boiling, I stare at the phone and press End with a shaky hand, resisting the urge to slam it on the ground. I can’t snap. I need to stay in control.

A street lantern pops on over my head. The dusk sky begins fading to night as a chilly breeze wraps around my neck. Whatever I thought this semester was going to be like didn’t matter anymore.

I take a deep breath and head for the Rock.



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