I hold out a file, the one that’s caused so many problems. “I found this in Luke’s apartment, and I didn’t tell you because, well, a lot of reasons. But Luke thought this man, Anthony DeRosso, is your biological father. It’s a long story, but apparently he’s listed on your birth certificate as your father too.”

The angry expression on her face transforms into a confused one. She hesitates as she reaches out to take the folder, and I force my heartbeat not to speed up.

“Also, as if that wasn’t enough, my name isn’t Amelia. I’m in witness protection and my name is really Thea Kennedy. Everything about me that you knew is the same except my name. I never meant to lie to you, but I did it to keep you safe, to keep everyone safe.”

Ten minutes.

“Your father is not a good person,” I say, getting closer to her. “I wrote the name he currently goes by, Tony Derando, on the file. Google him and you’ll find everything you need to know. If I fail and he seeks you out, you need to run when you see him. Aiden knows the whole story, he can tell you more if you have more questions if I . . . if I’m not able to. But don’t get in contact with him. Don’t get near him. If you see him, run in the opposite direction. Okay, Anna? Do you understand? Promise me you’ll go nowhere near him!”

It must be my frenzied tone that causes her eyes to widen and her to quickly nod. Even though I’m probably not making any sense, I feel a bit better knowing she knows how serious this is, how much this means to me.

“Good,” I say, backing off with the intensity. “Good.”

I step backward until I reach my car, the door already open from before. I place a hand on it. “You and Char have been the best friends I could’ve asked for.”

Annalisa’s eyes narrow. “Why does it sound like you’re saying good-bye?”

Nine minutes.

“I’ve gotta go. Bye, Anna.”

Before she can say anything else, I hop in my car and pull a U-turn, glancing in my rearview mirror to see Annalisa standing there, file in her hands, staring after me with confusion.

I don’t have to go. Technically, I just warned Annalisa, and she’ll know to stay away from Tony, and then he has nothing against me. I can tell all my friends, and together we can go to the police. We’ll all be safe if we’re all together. He technically has nothing against me now, and we can avoid him. I don’t have to see him. I don’t have to meet him. But then what? Live the rest of my life on the run and in fear? Be paranoid all the time? If I go to college I can’t be transferring every two months. And what of Annalisa? Have her run too? Have her connect with Tony? No. There’s no more running and hiding and lying. I want my life back and I want it back now. I am taking control of this situation; I’m taking control of everything.