After Santorini, I didn't think my summer could get any better, but it does. Cecilia declares it the summer of travel, and she makes good on that promise. Rarely am I home for more than a few days at a time. Instead I'm jet setting around the globe, from Paris to Milan to London to Sydney. Winston and Danny come with us when they can, but since they work they can't always leave at the drop of a hat. That's when it turns into a girls trip with just Vienna, Cecilia, Addison, Kelsey, and I. We sip Piña Coladas on the beach in Sicily, party at nightclubs in Barcelona, and view art and ancient architecture in Rome. Right now my life is a dream, and I absolutely do not want to wake up.

But of course, all good things must come to an end.

"I'm going to miss you," my mom says wistfully as I'm packing my clothes.

I laugh. "I'm not moving across the country mom. I'll only be a few hours away."

"I know, I know," she smoothes a hand over my hair. "But I'm a mother and you're my baby. A few hours away might as well be a whole continent."

I lean into her, inhaling her citrus scent. "I'm going to miss you too mom."

"Is your roommate nice?"

"Yes," I continue to pack. "We've been texting a lot, just getting to know each other. She's a biology major."

"Well that's a big difference."

"Yeah, but we already agreed she'd help me with bio and I'd help her with government."

"Sounds like you have it all figured out," my mother kisses the top of my head before joining me in packing.

"What are you going to do to my room?" I ask out of curiosity.

My mother smiles. "Leave it as is of course. I haven't touched Austin or Tristan's room either. Sometimes I like to go into them and imagine when they were just my little boys. I'm sure I'll do the same with your room."

I smile back. I really am going to miss her. And Bagel too. Which reminds me...

"Promise me you'll take care of Bagel."

Her smile falters. Even after all these months she's still not quite fond of my precious baby. Nonetheless she promises he'll want for nothing, and most likely be fattened up when I return to visit.

"Remember this will always be your home," my mother pulls me into a hug while sniffling. "Nothing will change that."

I snuggle into her, and for one moment allow myself to be that little girl again, the little girl I know I'll always be in my mothers eyes.

"I love you mom," I whisper.

"I love you too baby."

...

"Keep or toss?" Vienna holds up an old faded AC/DC shirt.

"Keep. You can still sleep in it."

"You're right," she tosses it into a box. Unlike me, Vienna is not a careful packer. "I can't believe this is really happening. We're both going to the colleges of our dreams."

"I know," I grin. "Sometimes I still pinch myself to make sure it's real."

"Oh it's real," Vienna examines a pair of jeans before throwing them into the toss pile. "Super duper real."

My phone rings and without thinking I answer. "Hello?"

"Miss Davis," a smooth voice greets me. My eyes widen.

"Mr. Salovey! Um, hello! How are you?"

"I'm doing fine. Miss Davis, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. I'm sorry this is such short notice, but could you drop by my office anytime soon?"

"You want me to come up to Yale?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes. Again I'm sorry for the short notice, but as I said this matter is urgent and I would really prefer to discuss it in person."

"Um, okay. Is everything alright?"

"Well I'm hoping you can answer that for me."

"Okay...I'll be there as soon as I can."

The line clicks and I stare at my phone in shock. Vienna raises a brow.

"What was that all about?"

"I have no idea..." I shake my head. "You up for a mini road trip?"

...

I call Winston to let him know what's going on and he offers to drive Vienna and I to Yale. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Vienna tries to reassure me. "He probably wants to offer you a special position or something."

"Like a TA?" I bite my lip.

"Exactly. You have no reason to worry."

I look to Winston and he reaches across the console to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Like Vienna said, you have absolutely no reason to worry."

I take a deep breath and try to let their words calm me, but I can't erase the sinking feeling in my stomach. It doesn't go away when we finally arrive, in fact it only increases.

At the very least, Yale is beautiful. Sometimes I can't believe I'll be attending in the fall. that I'm an actual student. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I've already got my roommate, my dorm, my classes. All that's left is the first day of school.

We head into the main building and after confirming I have an appointment with the president, the secretary leads us to his office. Before I go in Winston takes my hand.

"Everything will be fine," he gives my lips a quick kiss. Vienna pats my shoulder and says they'll be waiting outside before exiting the building. I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and knock on the mahogany door.

"Come in."

I push the door open and step inside his office. Everything is made of polished dark red oak wood. Shelves line the walls filled with books and trinkets. Still, the office is neat with only minimal clutter. I smile at the president who gestures for me to have a seat in the chair across from his desk.

"Kennedy," he greets me with a smile. "I'm so glad you could make it."

His smile puts me at ease and I start to relax. "Yes well, your call was very unexpected. I figured it would be best if we met as soon as possible."

"Of course," he clears his throat, the smile leaving his face. All at once my anxiety returns tenfold. "What I want to discuss with you is rather...serious."

I try and fail to calm down. "What is it? Is it something with my admission?"

Suddenly the president looks uncomfortable and shifts. "Today I received a rather alarming email."

"Alarming?" My hands shake and I fold them together in an attempt to hide their tremble. "What did it say?"

"I-" the president clears his throat. "This email suggested you were having inappropriate relations with a faculty member."

I stare at him in shock. Then I burst out laughing.

"You're kidding right?" I continue to laugh. However the president does not find my laughter amusing.

"Miss Davis we take allegations like these very seriously."

All at once my laughter subsides. "Wait you actually believe this? You're the only faculty member I even know, and I have a boyfriend. So who on earth would I have 'inappropriate' relations with?"

The dean folds his hands on the desk. "Miss Davis, having a boyfriend is hardly an excuse. People have cheated on their spouses all the time. That aside, the email included proof of these claims."

My mouth falls open. "Proof? What proof?"

"Photo proof Miss Davis."

My heart is thudding in my chest. How can there be photo proof when this isn't true? I don't know a single faculty never besides the president.

"This has to be a mistake," I insist. "Who sent this email?"

The president shakes his head. "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say."

I stand up so fast I almost knock the chair back. "This is ridiculous! Whatever photo proof you have is fake! I have had no relations of any kind with any faculty member!"

"Kennedy," the president looks at me sympathetically and sighs. "I want to believe you. I really do. But you must understand the seriousness of these allegations. We cannot under any circumstances have a student be involved in such a scandal. It calls into question our ethics."

I open and close my mouth like a fish. Finally I whisper, "So what now?"

"Now an investigation will be conducted to find out the validity of these allegations. Until the investigation is complete, I'm afraid I'll have to rescind your admission."

I stumble back. My head is spinning and I'm three short seconds away from vomiting. "No...no you can't do that! This is bullshit!"

"Miss Davis please," the president stands. "I understand your frustrations-"

"No you don't!" I yell. "I am a victim being framed for something I didn't do!" I furiously wipe my eyes. "Please," my voice shakes as I begin to beg. "Please don't do this. I swear I never did anything. This is all some horrible mistake."

The president gives me a sad look. "I'm sorry Kennedy. This is out of my hands now."

I stare at him in disbelief, shaking my head before running out of his office, tears blurring my vision. This is a nightmare. It has to be. This can't be happening to me. My mind is whirling but I can't even think properly. I feel hot and cold, my body shaking.

I burst outside where Winston and Vienna are waiting. They turn to me, their faces falling when they see my tear streaked one.

"Kennedy..." Vienna takes a cautious step towards me. "Oh my gosh, what happened?"

I take a step towards them and open my mouth to speak...then burst into tears. My legs give out as sobs overtake my entire body.

They rush toward me and Winston is the first to reach me, scooping me in his arms. I cling to his shirt as I sob into his chest, unable to speak.

"Shhh," he holds me close. "It's okay love. It's okay," he looks at Vienna helplessly. Vienna rubs my back.

"Kennedy what happened in there?" She asks worriedly. I shake my head.

"I can't-" my voice cracks. I can't say the words out loud. If I say them, then it'll make this horrible nightmare real. And it can't be real.

It just can't be.

When it becomes clear I'm not going to talk, Winston helps me back to the car since I can't stand on my own without wanting to fall in despair. I stare mindlessly out the window on the drive back, numbness encasing me. Winston keeps looking away from the road and giving me worried looks while Vienna twists her hands anxiously. I know she wants to badger me with questions but thankfully refrains from doing so. I'm not in right state of mind to answer anything right now. I close my eyes as silent tears slip down my face. My phone vibrates in my hand and I glance down at the screen.

Unknown: did you like my little present? We need to talk. I think you know who.

I read the text over and over. As soon as we get back to the city I rush up to my room and slam the door closed. I know exactly who that text was from and righteous fury overtakes my body. I knock everything off my vanity, creating a loud crashing sound. Someone bangs on my door.

"Kennedy!" Vienna pleads. "Please just talk to us!"

I ignore her and scream until my lungs are raw, rip open my dresser and throw everything out, yank down my clothes from the closet, pull down the curtains, and rip off my bedsheets.

And when I have no more energy in me, nothing left to destroy, I sink down onto the floor and sob.

...

Unknown: meet me at the fountain in Central Park

Ignoring the slew of missed texts and calls I have, I toss my hair in a bun, pull on a hoodie and sweats, garb my keys, and quietly sneak out. It's almost ten o clock at night as I hail a cab and ask the driver to take me to Central Park. When we arrive I shove a wad of cash at him without even looking and climb out, slamming the door behind me.

Gabriel is already waiting at the fountain when I arrive. He grins when he sees me. "Kennedy, glad you could ma-"

My hand whips out and I slap him with a force I didn't even know I was capable of. His head whips back and he lifts a hand to his cheek.

"I deserved that," he shakes his head chuckling.

"I don't know what fucking game you're playing," I start, barely suppressing my anger. "But you better explain yourself."

"I thought it was fairly obvious," Gabriel shrugs. "I told you to break up with Winston or I'd ruin your life. You didn't. So here we are."

I stare at him in disbelief. "Are you fucking serious?"

"As serious as death," Gabriel's smile makes my skin crawl.

"You disgust me," I shake my head. "I can't believe I ever thought I loved you. No wonder your own father couldn't stand you. You make me sick."

Gabriel's smile falls. "Watch it," he growls.

"Or what?" I step forward. "You'll threaten me again? Fuck you," I spit at him and Gabriel recoils. "I swear Gabriel, you better fix this or I'll be the one ruining your life."

"Kennedy, you have no idea what game you're playing," Gabriel wipes my spit from his face. "I could easily make sure you never step foot on any college campus in the country."

"With your fake photo evidence?" I laugh. "Go ahead and try. I dare you."

Gabriel smiles chillingly. "As much as I'd love to do that, that's not really part of the plan. Which is why we're going to return to my original proposition, and you're going to break up with Winston."

"You're fucking delusional," I snap. "Get it through your thick skull. That is never going to happen," I step forward. "You're pathetic Gabriel. Trying to hurt me because you're so jealous I moved on with someone who is ten times the man you are," I look down at him before looking back up. "In more places than one. It's sad and pathetic. Even your father was more of a man than you are. You're just a little bitch."

Gabriel clenches his jaw and I sneer. "Aww. Did I hurt your feelings?"

"You know Kennedy," he shakes his head. "I'd forgotten how stubborn you were. It's one of the things I admired about you. Now I hate it. I didn't want to do this, but since you won't cooperate you leave me no choice."

I roll my eyes. "What, are you going to show me a fake snuff film with me as the culprit?"

Turns out I wish he had. Instead he steps forward and jams a syringe into my arm. It happens so fast, my brain can't even process it. I'm pretty sure my body goes into shock as I blink at him, then the needle.

What the-

Then the world goes dark.

...

Love, G❤️