When  my alarm goes off Friday morning, I instantly punch the snooze   button. I tossed and turned all night trying to shake the sick feeling   in my gut.

After formulating a plan of action at Liam's house Wednesday   night, I had a much smoother second day of classes. Liam and I  decided  that I was to go to biology today and find him on my way to my   business class. He is going to come into the classroom with me and   since there are over 200 students in that class, no one but Professor   Greysor will know Liam is not supposed to be there. After class, Liam is   going to meet with his dad and I am going to be there for emotional support. Liam didn't want to chance another total body takeover, so we decided the sooner Liam can meet him, the better.

My  alarm annoyingly goes off again and as much as I want to re-hit  the  snooze button I know my window of getting ready time is closing. I  kick  off my fluffy purple comforter and zombie walk to the girl's  bathroom to  shower. On day one of school, I had excitement oozing through  me so waking  up early was easy. On the second day, I was slightly hung over  from our  booze therapy session at Liam's house but I still had the  excitement of  the first day of my Tuesday/Thursday classes.  Unfortunately, the  excitement is over, and knowing school is  officially in session has me  dragging. Whether it's high school or  college, school is school and I've  never been overly thrilled about my  studies.

The  morning brings a chilly breeze and since shade still covers the   majority of the campus in the early morning hours, I have to tug my jean jacket   tightly around me as I head to biology. I instantly spot Mischa waiting   for me at our lab table and she compliments my patterned maxi skirt as   soon as I sit down. I thank her and then notice a few pamphlets in her hands with white   Greek lettering sprawled across the pages.

"Are those the Greek houses here?" I ask and she slides the pamphlets over to me.

"Yeah,  I was looking into rush week. Are you thinking of joining a  sorority  too?" Mischa asks as my eyes scan over the rush week information.

"I've  thought about it. I think it would be fun. I was a cheerleader in  high  school so I feel like I'm used to being around crazy catty girls," I tell her. I then sigh as I add, "I  don't think my boyfriend would be overly thrilled about me doing it   though." I take a mental note that rush week begins a week from   Monday. She opens her mouth to reply but Professor Jimenez shutting the   classroom door cuts off all conversation.

Mischa's  mind wanders to rush week throughout class and it has my  wheels turning  too. I think it would be fun to join a sorority but I  already know  Liam's thoughts on the subject. He feels they are  overpriced party  houses that allow hazing and bullying and after the  bullying fiasco in high  school, I know to stay far away from  anyone that participates in  despicable activities. But I think I should at least look into it before making any judgments.

I  quickly pack up my lab supplies when class ends and Mischa and I  part  ways as soon as we are outside. I spot Liam wearing a black  leather  jacket, people-watching on a bench that sits outside the  science  building. A grin takes over his face when he spots me and I can't help but smile back.

"There  are some interesting people that go to this school," Liam  comments and  we watch a petite girl with white dreadlocks and large headphones  sing loudly  as she walks down the sidewalk- just completely in her own  world,  serenading other students as they walk to class. I laugh as I interlace  my fingers with his as I say, "That's what I love about California. You can be whoever you want to be and look however you want to look and no one cares."

"That's my kinda place," Liam agrees and I pull him towards the business building. My  heart starts to beat me senselessly the closer we get to the  main doors and I wonder if Liam can hear it.  I didn't know seeing Topher again would give me this much  anxiety.

"I'm  nervous too," Liam says, obviously listening to my pounding  heart and he holds the heavy door open for me to walk through. I  lead him up  the staircase and give him one last glance before entering  the classroom.

Here goes nothing.

This  time I pick an end seat in the eighth row, still attempting to  blend in  with the other students. I glance at the clock and see that  class begins  in two minutes. With raised eyebrows, Liam watches the  stadium seats  fill quickly and quietly says, "You weren't lying  when you said  there are probably two hundred students in this class."

"Yeah, so  we'll see if Topher spots you right away," I whisper and we both  snap our  heads toward the clicking classroom door. Topher walks into the room with  his eyes focused on the floor and immediately switches the  projector on that sits on the front table. He then fiddles with his  computer and  the power cords, never once glancing in his student's  direction.

He  is very posh today, wearing a nice black blazer over a crisp white  button-down that's tucked  into his sleek jeans. He walks back over to the door and switches  the lights to the classroom off. Liam gives my hand a  quick squeeze but  his focus remains on Topher. Does your dad look different than what you remembered? I ask Liam silently and he tilts his head to the side before answering. He looks older but otherwise, he's the same guy. I   won't chance any more conversation between him and me in our heads and   Liam hardly fidgets through the hour-long power point presentation   Topher gives for the entire period.

Students  are already putting their stuff away when Topher flips the  lights back  on and I quickly shove my notebook into my backpack. I  move my knees to  the side as students pass by me to exit the row but  Liam and I remain  seated while everyone leaves. Topher is stowing his  computer back in his  messenger bag when the last student finally shuts the door. I wonder if Topher  is even aware that Liam and I are here?

"I'm  fully aware you are still here, Eleanor," Topher responds to my  silent  question and my eyes dart to Liam. When Topher pulls his focus  away from  his bag his eyes snap to me and then quickly fall on Liam.  Liam and  Topher lock eyes but neither of them says anything.

Suddenly, an  odd electricity fills the air as goosebumps cover my arms. Liam's  hand  quickly covers mine and he is the one to break the silence.

"If  you  continue to try and control Ellie, I promise you, you will never see  me  again...dad."