It didn’t take very long to fill out a report with campus security. Harold Clunk, the officer on duty, had been less than helpful.

“Can you believe that guy?!”

I trailed behind Jenna’s angry stomps and clenched fists, trying not to laugh at her five-foot-nothing frame of fury.

“I mean, he didn’t even take us seriously! Just kids being kids?!”

The vein on the side of her neck stood out as she ground out threat after threat on poor Harold’s career. I was impressed. I’d never seen this side of Jenna before. It was a sunny day, but a windy one, and Jenna’s unruly curls seemed to be just as pissed off as she was. Auburn strands whipped out in every direction, tossing themselves about and accentuating each livid remark.

“Oh, he’s GOING to take care of this! He has NO idea who he’s dealing with here! Doesn’t he realize I’m an editor for the University’s publication!?”
“Well, if he didn’t before. He does now. I think you screamed it at him before he politely asked us to leave.”
“HE CALLED ME PIPSQUEAK!!!!”

Jenna screeched the words, whirling around to reveal reddened cheeks and eyes sparked with ire. I couldn’t take it anymore. The sun haloed the back of her head and the breeze picked up, forcing those ferocious curls of hers to lash out in frenzied, rabid waves. I broke, letting out a guffaw of laughter so hard I had to bend forward and hold onto my stomach.

“I….I…”

Jenna blinked at me, watching me struggle for air. Each time I sucked in a lungful, the expression on her face just sent me reeling again. Her face transformed from an angry kitten with the ferocity of a full-grown lion to confusion to concern, then back to angry kitten again. I gasped, choking out an apology.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…just…”

A particularly strong gust sent her mane thrashing. Jenna let out a grunt of annoyance and gripped her curls, holding them off to the side until the wind died down. She pursed her lips at me.

“Yeah, I know. My curls.”
“You’re like one of those adorable troll dolls.”

She arched a brow at me.

“Well, only vicious and angry…and dangerous…VERY dangerous.”

Jenna rolled her eyes and shook her head, deciding to forgive me.

“Well, I’m off to admin to report Harold. I’ll let you know what they say.”
“You’re serious about that? You’re really going to report him?”

Jenna locked eyes with me and her eyes flashed.

“Someone threatened you and he completely dismissed it. Plus…he called me pipsqueak.”

I nodded. I wasn’t sure reporting him would actually do any good, but there was no way in hell I was going to voice that opinion to her. The two of us parted ways, and I headed back to my dorm. I didn’t have class for another few hours, and I really needed to call home and figure out how the hell someone found out about Jonah. My stomach tied itself in knots as I thought about the conversation ahead. Evan. My brother. A thousand pounds of emotional baggage fell from the ceiling and landed squarely on my shoulders as I made my way up the flight of brick stairs which led to my room.

I knew a moment before I rounded the corner that I wasn’t going to have to make that phone call after all. Green eyes the color of sweet grass met my matching ones, and I halted. I swallowed, feeling the weight from before intensify. Evan stared at me a moment, taking me in. His gaze cataloged every inch of me. It was a habit of his, one born from years of playing protector. Once satisfied I was still in one piece, his shoulders relaxed and he grunted.

“Elle. We need to talk.”