Classes start tomorrow. All around me, both inside and outside the building, there seems to be nonstop laughing and talking, music playing, and doors opening and closing. Life, in other words. Everybody is looking forward to starting the semester. I hear people talking about parties as they walk past my room, things they’re looking forward to.

While I hide out in here, wondering if I’ll ever be able to actually enjoy this.

I mean, I haven’t even slept a solid night since I got here. I can’t escape the nightmares. I keep expecting to open my eyes and find James standing over me, demanding I humiliate myself for him again.

I wish I knew what to do. This will always hang over my head unless I find a way to get closure. The problem is, I have no idea what that looks like. They can’t get away with this. I can’t let them get away with it. No punishment would be too severe after everything they’ve put me through.

What do I do, then? Go to the police? And who would believe me? Not even my own mother believed me. The one person who was supposed to protect me and love me. How could I possibly convince a stranger? Plus, I’m sure they’ve already thought about that. James probably has a plan for just such a situation.

Nobody would believe me. Not against somebody like James. Somebody with money, a career, and a reputation. And what would end up happening? Word would get out somehow because it always does. Has-been gymnast accuses powerful lawyer of sexual assault—like that’s not exactly the kind of story that makes headlines. Every aspect of my personal life would end up being torn to pieces. My only shot at living a somewhat normal life would be to change my name and move to the other side of the world.

I guess that’s out. I’m going to have to find a way to live with it. I’ll have to, or else I’ll have no hope of a future. Not if I stay stuck in what they did to me. I need to find a way to move on.

Obviously, that time is not now since the clicking of the lock on my dorm room door makes me jump a mile, heart in my throat, and ready to defend myself from an attack.

“Piper?” She’s the last person I would ever expect to see, even if it’s strangely fitting that she would show up. Yet another example of a disappointment in my life. This is becoming a greatest hits playlist of all the most fucked-up aspects of my existence.

She manages a shy little smile. “Yeah, hi.”