That’s for the best, too. Even though it burns me up inside, knowing she believes all those ugly lies about me, that’s just something I’m going to have to accept. If it means I no longer have to deal with her, so be it. I’ll make that sacrifice. I know the truth, anyway. I know I’m not the person James made me out to be. That needs to be enough. Maybe it’s for the best that I’ve learned to live without her approval. I’d probably be in much worse shape if that wasn’t the case.

“They still haven’t reached out, have they?” Piper asks as we enter our building.

I shake my head. “You would know if they had. I would have told you.”

“I mean, that’s good, though. They’re moving on and letting you move on.”

“I know. And I know I should be grateful.”

“But…”

We climb the stairs side by side, and suddenly, my heart is much heavier than it was before. “But I can’t help thinking it’s unfair as hell for them to just go on with their lives like none of this ever happened. I can’t even walk across campus without getting freaked out because somebody ran too close to me. But I’m sure they’re living it up, already going to parties and having fun.”

“I wish they would fry for it. I really do.”

“I know. But still…” We reach the third floor, and I lean against our door while Piper unlocks it. “Is it wrong that I just kind of want to let the whole thing go away? Is that selfish, do you think?”

“I’ve seen what this has done to you. And I’ve heard you while you’re having nightmares.”

I can’t help but cringe. “I didn’t know it was that bad.”

“It’s not terrible. But you’re obviously going through a lot. I can see why you’d want them to suffer, but I can also see why you would want to let it all go away. That’s totally normal.”

“So I’m not selfish?”

“No. You’re not selfish. You’re doing what you have to do to take care of yourself. That’s not selfish at all.” She drops her backpack on the floor next to her bed before throwing her arms over her head and stretching. “I need a shower. I really worked up a sweat earlier.”

“Please, don’t let me stop you.” I wave a hand around in front of my nose like she smells, and we’re both laughing as she disappears into our shared bathroom.