Philip and Thomas burst through the door a couple minutes later. They both scan the large lecture hall I’m sitting in and relax slightly when they see it’s empty.

“Are you okay?” Thomas asks me.

I nod mutely.

“Where were you this weekend?” Philip asks. “Julie won’t tell me, but Steve let slip you flew someplace. Did someone recognize you there? Were you with that football player? Did you tell him the truth?” He fires the questions rapidly at me.

“Philip,” Thomas chastises. “Now is not the time. We need to get her out of here safely.”

I’m silent. The panic continues to build as Philip’s questions set in. I told him everything two days ago. Everything about me, about my family. He’s the only person I told. My heart struggles against rational thought. Did I misjudge everything?

“He wouldn’t have told,” I whisper, not sure who I’m trying to assure. Myself, maybe.

“Wait a minute. You actually told him?” Philip looks stunned. “Why would you—”

“Philip,” Thomas interrupts. “Go out to the hallway and see if you can find a back entrance.”

Philip looks incensed, but follows Thomas’s instructions, walking back out into the hallway and leaving the two of us alone.

“Thomas, I’m so sorry for lying to you about this weekend,” I tell him, my voice breaking. “For once I just wanted… I just wanted to be normal. To truly feel like I escaped it all. As incredible as the last few months have been, it’s still hard to feel free when you’re both around reminding me that I’m not.”

Thomas nods sagely. “I know your life is not easy, Princess. And believe it or not, I remember what it was like to be young and in love once myself. Things become clearer and more complicated.”

“I’m not in love with him,” I dispute. The false words hang heavily in the massive hall.

“Aren’t you?” Thomas asks with a sad smile. I drop my eyes from his knowing gaze. “I’m just glad that nothing happened and you’re safe.”

“Thanks.” I tell the scuffed floor.

Thomas pulls out his phone and types something quickly.

“I found the back door.” Philip re-enters the room.

“We’ve got a car service waiting outside. Julie and Steve are here. We just have to make it to the street. Princess, do not leave my side, and do not stop or speak to anyone, no matter what they might say.”

I nod. The instructions are familiar. I follow Philip and Thomas out into the now empty hallway. Philip leads us down the hallway and through a door to the right. A short flight of steps later, he pushes open a metal door, revealing the rear of the brick building. We exit the building in single file, but Thomas and Philip fall into a protective formation on either side of me as soon as we emerge outside into the daylight.

The press isn’t visible yet, but I can hear the commotion coming from the front of the building.