Walking Disaster

little better about her unease. “See you later,” I said, holding the door open while
she sat in the passenger seat. “Love you.”
    Shepley lifted Abby’s suitcase into the hatchback of the Honda, and America slid into her seat, reaching over to pull across her seat belt.
    I shut Abby’s door, and then folded my arms across my chest.
    Shepley stood beside me. “You’re not really going to fight for Benny, are you?”
    “It’s a lot of money, Shepley. Six figures a fight.”
    “
Six
figures?”
    “Could you say no?”
    “I would if I thought America would dump my ass over it.”
    I laughed once. “Abby’s not going to
dump
me over this.”
    America backed out of the parking lot, and I noticed tears spilling down Abby’s cheeks.
    I jogged to her window, tapping on the glass. “What’s wrong, Pidge?”
    “Go, Mare,” she mouthed, wiping her eyes.
    I jogged alongside the car, slamming my palm against the glass. Abby wouldn’t look at me, and absolute terror sunk into my bones. “Pigeon? America! Stop the fucking car! Abby,
don’t do this!”
    America turned onto the main road and pressed on the gas.
    I sprinted after them, but when the Honda was nearly out of sight, I turned and ran for my Harley. I dug my hand in my pocket for my keys as I ran, and leaped onto the seat.
    “Travis, don’t,” Shepley warned.
    “She’s fucking leaving me, Shep!” I yelled, barely starting the bike before revving the throttle into a 180, and flying down the street.
    America had just shut her door when I made it into Morgan Hall’s parking lot. I nearly laid my bike over coming to a halt and failing to root the kickstand on the first try. I ran over to
the Honda and jerked open the passenger door. America’s teeth were clenched, ready for whatever I might throw at her.
    I looked to Morgan’s brick and mortar, knowing Abby was somewhere inside. “You gotta let me in, Mare,” I begged.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. She put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space.
    Just as I raced up the steps, taking two at a time, a girl I hadn’t seen before was walking out. I grabbed the door, but she blocked my way.
    “You can’t come in without an escort.”
    I pulled out my bike keys and jingled them in her face. “My girlfriend, Abby Abernathy, left her car keys at my apartment. I’m just bringing them by.”
    The girl nodded, unsure, and then moved out of my way.
    Leaping up several steps at a time in the stairwell, I finally reached Abby’s floor and her dorm room door. I took a few deep breaths. “Pidge?” I said, trying to be quiet.
“You gotta let me in, baby. We’ve got to talk about this.”
    She didn’t answer.
    “Pigeon, please. You’re right. I didn’t listen to you. We can sit down and discuss this some more, okay? I just . . . please answer the door. You’re scarin’ me to
death.”
    “Go away, Travis,” Kara said from the other side.
    I pounded on the door with the side of my fist. “Pidge? Open the fucking door, dammit! I’m not leaving until you talk to me! Pigeon!”
    “What?” Kara growled, opening the door. She pushed her glasses up, and sniffed. For such a tiny girl, she had a very severe expression.
    I sighed, relieved that at least I would be able to see Abby. Looking over Kara’s shoulder, Abby wasn’t in my direct line of sight.
    “Kara,” I said, trying to stay calm. “Tell Abby I need to see her. Please.”
    “She’s not here.”
    “She’s here,” I said, quickly losing my patience.
    Kara’s weight shifted. “I haven’t seen her tonight. I haven’t seen her in several days, actually.”
    “I know she’s here!” I yelled. “Pigeon?”
    “She’s not . . . Hey!” Kara said, shrieking when I shouldered past her.
    The door cracked against the wall. I pulled the knob and looked behind it, and then in the closets, even under the bed. “Pigeon! Where is she?”
    “I haven’t seen her!” Kara shouted.
    I walked into the hall, looking in both directions, and Kara slammed the door shut behind me, followed by the click of the bolt lock.
    The wall felt cold against my back, and I suddenly realized I didn’t have a coat on. Slowly sliding down the concrete block wall to my ass, I covered my face with my hands. She might have
hated me at the moment, but she had to come home sometime.
    After twenty minutes, I pulled out my phone and shot her a text.
    Pidge, please. i know ur pissed, but we can still talk about this
    And then another.
    Please