Contemplating if I should go with Jude and hear what he has to say, someone taps me. It's Dexter again. He's sizing Jude up, but Jude never acknowledges him. Motionless, Jude stands staring through me. "What's up, Ajay?" asks Dexter. Now extending his hand, he says, "Hi, I'm Aaron's frat brother Dex, and you are?" Transfixed on Dex's hand, Jude looks at me, then shakes Dex's hand, answering, "Knight. ...Ajay, We'll talk later." Jude gets into an SUV and drives off. Frozen like a deer in headlights, I watch where Jude left, unable to think. "Who's the weirdo?" Dexter asks. I chuckle, "A weirdo and a stalker at this point. Are you here for me and Lana?" "Lana's here? Then you know it! ...After you, beautiful." The bar is filled with Aaron's frat brothers and my soror sisters. I'm in my zone, drinking and trying to have fun, but my mind is consumed with Jude. Lana shoves me with her shoulder, asking, "Earth to Ajay! Have you heard a word I said?" I let out a loud, uncomforta

First thing in the morning, I call Professor Benoit. Spritely, she answered, "Good morning, Ajay.""Hi, Professor.""Having a bad day?"Yeah. I've been sick.""So sorry to hear that, but have you heard about Zelma's father Dean?""No.""He was killed on his boat during a storm.""Oh, no!""Yes, so tragic. Zelma returned home two months ago. Jude told me he tried to tell you, but you weren't pleased to see him."Feeling like less than nothing, I lament, "Oh wow. I feel so stupid.""Sadly, they just found his remains and are having a memorial this weekend. Would you like to go there with me and return home together?""Home? Your home isn't Knight Island?""No, that's a vacation home. Anyway, say we meet ..."She pauses, and I hear whispering in the background. "Professor?""Sorry, Ajay. I'm reading my schedule for Friday."I groan, "I'm so sorry, Professor Benoit, but I'm really sick. Please text the details, and I'll let you know if I can make it.""Oooh, kay...""Hello?""That'll be g

Jude never returned, so I left with Phyllis and Lana. We have a girls' day at the spa, eat at a five-star restaurant, then relax on the beach. Phyllis has to update her syllabus, so she allows Lana and me to use her Porche. Lana wants to grab souvenirs from the shopping area. I say, "Fine. I need to do some shopping myself. Say we meet back up in 30 minutes."Side-eyeing me, Lana asks, "What are you up to, Ajay?""Nothing! I'm just ready to relax. We leave tomorrow, so I'm not trying to be out shopping for hours."Still suspicious, she grunts, "Mhmm." Once Lana looks away, I sneak out of the shop and drive toward Jude's home. Before I exited the parking lot, I saw him with Andrew. Trying to watch and park, I leave the car parked crooked at the end of the lot. They enter Dean's gas station and then exit from the back. Peeking from the side of the gas station, I watch until they get on the peer. Both are staring down like they're searching the water. Andrew calls out, "Jude! Look!"J

Joined at the hip, Lana and I stumble over each other, trying to run. Breathless, I stop whispering, "We're safer if we just run. We're going to be okay."Sobbing, Lana nods. I take off, leaving Lana in the dust. I have to keep stopping to drag her along. I see a dilapidated building and tell her, "We're close!" Finally, we are out of the woods, but now we're on an open road. Though nostalgic and fun in the daytime, this little desolate city looks eerie and terrifying at night. We hear another gut-wrenching howl, and I think of Jude, then look up at the moon. There's an unflattering crescent moon glowing tonight. If myths about monsters are true, it can't be a werewolf. A sigh of relief releases from me, and I smile at Lana, saying, "It's just a wolf or huge dog. We're ignorant of this island life. We'll be okay."Chest raised, Lana exhales and nods. Catching our breath, we start walking. Suddenly, we hear a growl in front of us. Quaking with fear, Lana squeezes my arm and points

Today is graduation. All my sorors attend. Even Aaron and Tyler attend. Both have apologized a million times, and Aaron's still working overtime to get me back, but I'm different. We're friends, I guess, but we'll never be a couple again. Professor Benoit transferred to another university. I'm sure she ran back to Knight's Island for Jude. When I first learned she was no longer here, it bothered me, but now I'm okay. Just as Lana said, he's not worth me.Aaron rented a Rolls Royce for me and my sorors to ride to the stadium. My soror Bethany says, "You are a fool to reject Aaron. Hey, I'm going to keep it real. If he ever approaches me, I'm dating him. Will that be okay?"Lana interjects, "Absolutely not! If you want your ass kicked, then by all means date him. If not, respect the sisterhood." We all laugh. After graduation, my boss, Mrs. Kent, greets me, "Congratulations, Ajay. I'm so proud of you. I'll see you in two weeks at 9 a.m. sharp.""Thanks, Mrs. Kent. I'll be there."I'm