I feel like food poisoning is a valid reason to stay in bed and miss dinner with Liam and Topher. It is the most convincing lie I can come up with on short notice but it might just do the trick. I have absolutely no interest in attending dinner and my mind hasn't changed since Liam told me about dinner Monday night. I am about to grab my phone to text Liam that I am barfing up cafeteria food when I hear a knock at my door. Zoe pops up from her yoga mat on the floor and whips the door open. I slump over on my bed when I see Liam cross the threshold.

"Hey, I'm a little early but are ya ready to go?" He asks as I remain laying down.

"Oh, I was actually getting ready to call you. I think I have food poisoning," I whine. Unfortunately when I thought of this excuse, I failed to think of the Zoe factor.

She quickly chimes in, "Oh no! What did you eat today? Did you have any chicken? Maybe you had something under cooked?" Liam looks less than convinced with my acting but I try and milk what I can.

"You know I did have salmon for lunch. Maybe it wasn't cooked right?" I say as I make a frowny face but Liam just puts his hands on his hips.

"Have you been puking or anything?" He asks and I am about to say that I'm nauseous when Zoe pipes back in.

"No she hasn't left our room since she got done with her last class," she says to Liam before turning her attention to me, "Which means you don't have diarrhea either. And now looking at you, you don't look flushed or like you've been excessively perspiring. So if you haven't thrown up, have had diarrhea, a fever or stomach pains you probably don't have food poisoning. Maybe it's just gas?"

Liam completely deadpan asks me, "Do you have gas babe?" He knows there is no way in hell I would ever seriously answer that question and with that he has won. I roll off the bed and grab my light zip-up jacket from my bedpost. I hear Zoe rifling through her cosmetic bag and she stops me at the door to hand me a few pills.

"These will help with the gas pains." I look to Liam and I know he wants to burst out laughing. His lips are quivering and at any moment he is going to break into a fit of laughter. He knows I am mortified, so I quickly walk past him and open the door. I walk down the hall and he quickly rushes past me.

"It's probably not a good idea to walk behind you if you are going to crop dust me down the hallway." He sports a wicked grin as he quickly darts around the corner and into the elevator, keeping out of arms reach of me. He knows I'd slug him in the arm if he sticks around.

************

Liam is finally out of fart jokes by the time we reach the restaurant. I am less than amused to be the butt of all his jokes but he pulls me into him before we walk inside.

"I was just joking babe but that's what you get for trying to lie your way out of dinner." He quickly kisses my cheek and I spot Topher waiting for us by the hostess stand. We stroll over to him and Liam and Topher quickly shake hands. I wave to him with a partially genuine smile. We follow the hostess to our table upstairs on the outside patio and am blown away by the beautiful view of the aqua colored ocean in front of us. It's still warm outside, so I stay in my mint cotton dress and hang my jacket on the chair behind me. Topher drags his chair out from under the small square table and decides to sit across from Liam forcing me into the seat next to him.

"You guys like pizza right?" Topher asks while shelling out the plastic menus to us. Liam and I nod while glancing to the menu. We quickly order sodas and both Liam and I twiddle our thumbs while figuring out how to start a conversation. Topher finally saves us from the silence, "So how is the sorority stuff coming along?" My eyes dart to Liam wondering how Topher knows of my plans to join a sorority. Topher picks up on my anxiety and answers my unspoken question, "Trust me, you are one of a hundred girls whose thoughts have been consumed by pledge week next week."

"Yeah, but I thought I was one of a hundred girls whose mind you weren't able to hear," I mutter back to his response.

"You aren't as good at keeping your mind closed as you ought to be Eleanor," Topher snipes back but I can tell he's still trying to keep the conversation light. So he asks me his first question again, "So how has it been going?"

"It's going well I guess. I have decided that I want to be a Kappa Delta. Bids go out on Friday," I answer while I poke at my soda with my straw.

"They already told her she's getting a bid. Now she just needs to pledge but I'm sure she'll get accepted," Liam says with a sly smile. His hand brushes my knee under the table and it helps put me at ease.

"Kappa Delta is the sorority to get into at this campus. But it's also rumored to be the most ruthless," Topher replies.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"They've had the most misconduct complaints against them. I guess every year someone files a formal complaint with the school about the Kappa Delta girls hazing other sororities," Topher says and Liam glances back to me with his confirmed thoughts splashed across his face.

"I had originally told Ellie that I thought sorority girls were bullies. Especially blonde California girls with money to flash in case they ever need their dirty work covered up," Liam says smugly but I shake my head at both of them.

"Not all sororities are like that. Some really are about sisterhood and community service. I don't get that nasty vibe from any of the girls I have met so far."

"Wait until pledge week starts," Topher replies with a warning look in his eyes. The waitress comes over and Topher orders a large pizza to split. We hand the waitress our menus and I am desperate to change the conversation. I don't however, want to say anything that will steer the topic to Virginia or to anything that can relate to Liam leaving.

"So do you spend a lot of time at the beach?" I ask Topher.

"I actually enjoy running down there in the mornings. I try and get down there before sunrise so I can enjoy all the colors of the morning as I make my way down the coast. It's much more relaxing to run here than in Virginia. The beaches there aren't maintained as well as they are here." Looks like I failed at my first attempt. I try not to add any follow up that will stay on the topic of Virginia. Liam must have the same thought because he tries to keep the conversation on the beach, "Yeah, I've actually picked up skim boarding since we've been here and I like how clear the water is here. There is never any trash or debris floating around."

Topher nods his head and folds his hands into his lap before saying, "So you like to skimboard huh? It seems to be quite the hobby in Virginia too. It always amazes me when those boys don't snap their ankles. I used to go to some of the annual competitions down at Virginia Beach just to watch some of the brutal wipeouts. It shouldn't be as enjoying to watch as it is."

"Yeah, I have had some nasty falls. Nothing too damaging though," Liam says, adding a breath of a laugh. Topher has to pick up on the cues we are feeding him. We haven't responded to anything regarding Virginia but he's relentless.

"Well if you decide to come to Virginia you can still enjoy your hobby Liam. My place is actually less than a mile from the coast. We have a private beach nearby so it's always quiet with a few surfers hanging out throughout the day." Liam's jaw falls slightly but his eyes remain on Topher. His knee is bouncing up and down under the table so I put my hand on his knee to steady it.

"I gotta tell ya dad, I don't really see Virginia in my immediate future. I just wanted to put that out there now before you get your hopes up," Liam confesses and his tone is lighter than he wishes it could be.

"Ah Liam, let's not rule anything out. No decisions have to be made just yet. I just want you to get an idea of what could be awaiting you if you do decide to join me." The waitress cuts in between Topher and Liam carrying a large pizza tray. She places the pizza between us but neither of us jump to grab a piece. Topher glances to us, finally dropping the sensitive subject and grabs the serving knife. He puts a decent size piece on Liam's plate and then looks to me wondering which piece I want. I shake my head, "Just a small one is fine."

"Not hungry?" Topher asks as he puts a sliver of pepperoni pizza on my plate.

"Not really. I'm getting over a bout of food poisoning," I say and Liam looks to me with a smirk. I don't want this dinner to be all doom and gloom as I do think Liam should have a relationship with his father- if his father will allow it without constantly bringing up Virginia. Liam deserves to have one present parent.

"So how did you two meet? Same high school or something?" Topher asks in between bites of pizza. Finally, a topic Liam and I can actually talk about without hesitation.

"Yeah, she went to the high school I transferred to in Dallas. She was the President of her class and had to show me around to my classes on my first day." Liam smiles to me and a fond memory of me meeting Liam in Principal Anderson's office makes me smile too.

"I didn't think I had a chance with Liam at first. I thought he was gay," I joke and Liam and I laugh at our own inside joke while Topher looks like he's just been slapped. He clearly doesn't understand our joke but he doesn't ask us to elaborate.

"So are your parents coming out for parent's weekend?" Topher asks, shying away from Liam's mistaken sexuality and I nod my head. Now it feels like a normal dinner with my boyfriend and his dad.

"Yep, they are driving my car out here. They'll be here Friday and are leaving Sunday night."

"Well maybe we can all have dinner together one evening while they are here?" Topher suggests and I look to Liam. In theory, it sounds nice but I don't want any of my secret abilities being exposed to my naive parents.

"Yeah, I'm not entirely sure what our plans will be yet, so maybe we can figure out a time to meet up if it works?" I suggest and go back to eating my pizza. Liam is still quiet but I don't push him to talk. Topher glances to Liam and asks, "So do you miss Dallas yet? I hear it gets really hot there." The weather is a universal topic of conversation. When in need of a conversation starter, go with the weather.

"I don't miss the heat even a little bit," Liam laughs softly, "But I do miss the area we lived in. We were a tight little community you could say."

Topher nods his head and asks, "What part of Dallas did you two live in?"

I answer, "We were actually in central Dallas, we lived in a town called Highland Park." Topher stops chewing and looks to Liam. I'm not sure what I said that has him caught off guard but he wipes his hands on his napkin and looks over to Liam completely bewildered.

"You lived in Highland Park?"

Liam glances to me clearly as confused as I am and then says, "Yeah, have you heard of it?" Topher lets out a loud laugh that just adds to our confusion.

"Yes Liam, Highland Park is actually a very well known town in Dallas. I guess I'm just wondering how you and your mother were able to afford living there? I haven't had any trace of Lisa being employed in the ten years I've been tracking her." I know Liam won't tell his dad about how Lisa acquires her finances. That would mean Liam would have to tell his dad about his invisibility talent and he refuses to do so. I imagine a tight helmet being shoved onto my head and pray that my thoughts are being sealed off. I can't give away any of Liam's financial business to Topher.

Liam's jaw has slightly dropped again and he looks to me before looking back at his dad, "We rented a house there. We never bought a house after we left Iowa." I'm sure Topher's wheels are spinning. He just found out Liam was somehow living in one of the wealthiest parts of Dallas, he knows he drives an expensive BMW and Liam is always sporting designer clothing. I'm sure he is dying to know how Liam has been able to afford all this if his mom hasn't been employed in ten years. Lisa is a touchy subject for both of them so I don't think Topher knows how to approach the subject without offending Liam in someway.

"Have you told your mom that you and I have met?" Topher asks Liam gently. Liam wipes his hands on his jeans and looks to the table when he says, "Mom hasn't answered any of my calls yet. But when she finally finds the time to call me back, I will let her know." Liam is snappy with the last part and I am fully aware that he does not wish to speak about his mother.

The waitress quickly asks if we would like anything else and we all shake our head no. Topher hands her his credit card and both Liam and I thank him for dinner.

When we make our way back to the parking lot, Topher walks us back to Liam's car. I see him run his eyes across the car, once again wondering how Liam can afford it.

"Well thank you for having dinner with me. Eleanor, I will see you in class Monday and Liam, hopefully we can get together again soon. Maybe one day you can accompany me on a morning run?" I shake Topher's hand before he moves it to Liam's extended hand. Liam politely nods and we both thank him again for the pizza. When we get into Liam's car we both exhale loudly. Liam leans his head against the head rest and taps his knuckles on the steering wheel.

"So, how do you feel about dinner?" I ask him and he shakes his head, his gaze still focused forward.

"I don't know. Honestly, I feel it went better than expected but I think we just opened the flood gates. He's going to want to know how me and my mom are so well off. I know he's going to investigate. And who knows what his resources are if he works for the C.I.A. He's gonna find stuff that doesn't add up. My mom and I pay for everything in cash. That or if it's small enough I would lift it out of the store." I glance to Liam and the familiar weight that always finds its way to my stomach when we talk about Liam's shoplifting makes an appearance. Even though I know it's not the time to be sour.

"Does your mom still go by Lisa Greysor?" I ask Liam, realizing I have never once noticed what surname his mom goes by.

"No, she goes by Lisa Marie, which is her middle name. She dropped Greysor years ago. I still think my dad knows more about my mom than he's letting on."

"I'm afraid he's going to try and get information from me, Liam. I didn't know he could still hear me in class. He knew all about my sorority stuff and I hadn't mentioned anything out loud. Who knows what else he's heard?" Liam glances to me but he doesn't say anything.

He finally turns the key over and starts the ignition. He's quiet but I know his mind is racing. The music is low in the car on the drive to his house and he only keeps the music barely audible when he needs the quiet to think. I'm suddenly afraid that Liam is disappointed that I haven't officially sealed my thoughts off yet. I try really hard and am always practicing, but Topher has proved that it's not yet perfected.

We pull into Liam's driveway and he quickly pushes his door open. He finds my door and grabs my hand as I climb out of the seat. He continues to hold my hand as we swiftly and quietly walk into the backyard. When we are about halfway to his house I see a silhouette sitting by his front door. He turns to look at me but we continue walking forward. The security light on the main house finally switches on when we get close enough to the pool and I yank Liam's arm back when I see who the silhouette belongs to. We stop in our tracks as a mane of bleach blonde hair turns to face the startling light. I grip Liam's forearm as he loudly says, "Why the fuck are you here?"