LOGINWillowI’m on my way to the club meeting when Ginny calls me. “Still no word from Aiden?” “Not yet,” I answer. “I heard from Peterson though. I think he’s busy with trainings for the trials.”“Hmmm. And you? How are you feeling?”“What can I say? I’m not crying. Violet came over and she helped cheer me up. She even helped me get ready for my meeting.”“Oh. You went out today?”“Yeah. The purple spears club is having their end of semester party.”“Ah. I see.” She makes a weird sound in her throat. “Is everything okay though? I mean in general? Have you had anymore recent nightmares?”“No. Why? Did you see something?”“It’s the shadow. I did a little ritual on your behalf and it feels stronger than the last time.”“I’m sorry to say this Gin but are you sure you’re seeing it right? I’m only asking because it’s been months now and nothing bad has happened to me. Everyday is the same. Monotonous. Boring. Even my dad doesn’t seem to be dwelling on the case as much.”“You’re right.” She si
WillowForty eight hours and still no word from Aiden.Today is my last day on campus. Students are already packing up to go home for the summer. The school website is still releasing stories about Aiden and I, making speculations about the state of our relationship.They ponder about what the summer holds for us. Wonder if we’ll be coming back to campus next semester with new partners. Some articles mention the audio file. In the comments, more students call me a bitch. The number of supporters I had yesterday has dropped drastically.In a way I am glad that everyone is going away on holiday. At least that way, I won’t have to put up with this headache.“How is he? Have you seen him this morning?” I am on the phone with Peterson. Since Aiden still won’t talk to me, the only other thing I can think to do is glean information from his friend and frat brother.“He’s still not talking to you huh?” Peterson sounds distracted. In the background, I can hear the clack, clack of a keypad. He’
WillowIt’s been a full twenty hours and I haven’t heard from Aiden.I am trying so hard not to reach out, to respect his wish for space. The only thing that distracts me is the prospect of writing my final paper.Some departments have already rounded off activities for the semester. Campus is abuzz with excitement for the summer.Another thing that everyone seems to be excited about is the audio file. Since the night of the hockey after party, news spread to all corners of the school. Everyone is torn up about it. There are those who believe the file to have been doctored. And then, there’s the other half—those calling me a bitch, accusing me of hurting with not just one, but two brothers.But frankly, I don’t really care what a bunch of strangers have to say about me. All I care about is what Aiden thinks. But I won’t know unless he talks to me.More than once, I lose track of the exam booklets in front of me. It takes extra effort for me to finish the questions in record time.My f
Willow“Calm down. It’s all going to be fine.” Ginny rubs my arms but I don’t want to be consoled right now. “You didn’t see him.” I say in between my sobs. “It seemed like he was breaking up with me. He really thinks I said that shit behind his back. And now, it’s over between us.”“It’s not. Like you said, he wants space. A chance to clear his head. That’s different from a break up. Trust me.”“I should go back inside. I’ll try to talk to him again. Get him to see reason.”“No.” Ginny doesn’t let me cross the lawn. The music inside the frat house is louder now. Out here; surrounded by semi-darkness, it’s like a whole different world. “Trying to talk to him right now will only make it worse. Just try to give him some space. Trust that he loves you and will get over the way he’s feeling.”“And how long am I supposed to wait? I tried to ask him but he didn’t give me a straight answer.”The door bursts open and for a crazy second, I think it’s Aiden, returning to sweep me off my feet a
Willow“Aiden is stubborn. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg… Hockey? I don’t know why he doesn’t just quit and save the team the trouble. Everyone knows he’s causing more harm than good remaining on the team. It’s funny how I didn’t even know that he dealt with red devils. And don’t even get me started on how he constantly hides behind his step father’s wealth and influence. Which is funny because he’s always trying to act like he doesn’t do that, and I —”No.This is not me. I didn’t say any of this.“Aiden,” I hold my breath, feeling the walls close around me. Everyone is staring at us. I think I’m going to pass out. And of course, the audio is still playing. But I’m no longer listening to it. “I didn’t… that’s not me.”Aiden is turned away from me. He’s not listening to me. I look around the room. I spot Peterson and yell loud enough for him to hear me. Loud enough for everyone to here. “Who put that on?” “I don’t know,” he shrugs, raising his hands defensively. “I’m serious
Willow“Are you two still not talking?” Ginny wants to know. “Nope.” I mutter, forcing another gulp of whisky down my throat. “Come on Willow. You have to fix this. Our guys won tonight. You think the star of the game deserves the cold shoulder from his girlfriend?”She’s right. Our hockey team won tonight. With Aiden back on the team, the game really did hit differently. He was like a beast out there, dodging offensive attacks, sliding and passing the puck with ease. His movements were equal parts ferocious, equal parts graceful. It’s almost funny how I couldn’t bring my eyes to look away from him. I’m still mad at him but seeing him out on the ice had done something to me. As much as I hate to admit it, I want him. But I can’t have him. Not right now. Not until one of us caves. “This is ridiculous,” Ginny sighs. “Look, if you are not going to talk to him, how about I do that instead?”“You’ll do no such thing.”“So what then? I mean, look at him.” She turns to where Aiden is s
WILLOWThe day of the cookout is finally here. The lawn outside the sorority house looks like a carnival threw up all over it. There are banners and umbrella sheds spread out everywhere. A long table has been set up for the contestants. Huge pots sit atop stoves, lying in wait for the chili contes
AIDEN“Aiden!” Spencer acts surprised to see me.An act.That’s what this is.“I’m sorry sir. There was nothing I could do to stop him.” The blonde secretary explains in a rush. She’s out of breath.“It’s fine,” he says to her. She’s got to be new if she doesn’t know who I am. An intern maybe?She
VIOLETI’m glued to Willow’s story. Every few minutes, I hear the ping of another video being updated on her page, and it drives another knife through my heart. I already gave up trying to be the bigger person after I discovered that she’d gone to dinner without inviting me.She’s at some fancy Jap
GINNYThe Thompson family car drops off Willow and me at her condo. Her aunt doesn’t feel like heading back to the manor yet so she comes in with us. Her dad says he’s got work to do at the office. His assistant drives him to work.These people have the kind of money that would bankrupt most of thi







