Chapter 7
So, Harlow, what did you want to see mefor?"
Sitting in Professor Brownson's office felt like taking a step into an antique shop. The kind where nothing was ever labeled. The rusted shell-spoon underneath a basket of doilies could be from the 1920s or the 1990s depending on what you or the bored sales lady knew. The table in the corner, piled high with what looked to be stacks and stacks of white and yellowed bits of paper and books that were both dusty and new, looked to be from somewhere in this last decade at least. While the desk, on the other hand, might have once belonged to the original owner of thisoffice.
I blinked and refocused my attention on the mousy-haired woman with wire-rimmed glasses perched on the end of her bird-like nose. "I—um..." Bellamy had asked me to go to both the admissions office and to Erika's advisor and see if they knew anything about her disappearance. Well, not her disappearance per se, but whether or not she had mentioned Josh at all, and if they knew whether or not she planned to leave before the Fall semester. My trip to the admissions office had already been a bust. They hadn't even let me past the front counter to see any of the admissions counselors. I would have to play this carefully to avoid any furthermishaps.
I straightened my spine and flashed Professor Brownson a smile that I hoped covered my nervousness. "Well, um, Professor, I came to Lander because my best friend came here." Truth. "And I wanted to follow in her footsteps." Another truth; I was technically trying to follow in her footsteps—specifically the ones that would lead me to find her. "Right now, I'm undecided on a major, just taking the electives and common core classes required of a four-year degree. But I know you were her advisor. I was wondering if you could give me some information on her major—Business Management,right?"
Professor Brownson leaned forward, narrowing her dark eyes at me. "Young lady, I'm sure you think following a friend is a good choice, but I can assure you that, like romantic relationships, friendships can fall apart too. If you're looking into Business Management simply because your friend—Erika, you said—was heading in that direction before she decided to take a break, then I suggest you take more time to think about it. You only get one chance at being young. You should spend it doing something you want to do, and not something you think you shoulddo."
My mind reeled. Less than five minutes in and I had already uncovered something big. "I'm sorry," I said. "Did you say Erika is taking abreak?"
Professor Brownson frowned. "Yes, she informed me and the university that she would be taking a short-term break before returning to finish her degree. I can't elaborate on why—I keep my students' private lives confidential. If you're her friend, though, you should be able to contacther."
I opened my mouth before noticing the suspicious glint in Professor Brownson's eyes. Smiling, I quickly took a breath and stood up. "You're right," I said. "I'll call her and see if she needs any help. We haven't talked much since I moved into the dorm. Starting college is a real culture shock." I shrugged and then politely excused myself from her office, nearly running head first into another student as they approached thedoor.
The young man in cargo shorts and a light blue t-shirt skirted past me into Professor Brownson's office with a messenger bag slung over one shoulder and a stack of papers in his arms. I barely spared him a glance as I made my way to the stairwell and headed down to the firstfloor.
Once I was sure I was out of hearing distance of the office, I took my phone out and dialed Bellamy. It went straight to voicemail. I frowned and dialed Knix's phone number, receiving the same. What the hell? This time I dialed Marv, hoping that at least he would pick up. Unfortunately, he too went to voicemail. What was going on?! Then my phone buzzed in myhand.
Marv:In class, what's wrong? Do I need to come toyou?
I sighed in relief and typed out a quick reply. At least he had responded in someway.
Harlow:Just got out of Erika's advisor's office. Got info. Tried calling Bellamy and Knix, didn't get ananswer.
I continued outside and down the steps of the building, turning back towards the dorms as I waited for his reply. It wasn't until I got to the front steps of Chipley Hall that he finallyresponded.
Marv:Just got out. Heading to your dorm. Meet you outfront.
I sighed, looking around and spotting several white rocking chairs spread across the front of the dorm patio. I moved towards them, planning to wait there, in the shade, until he got here. I didn’t waitlong.
“Harlow!” Marv called out as he jogged across the lawn. My eyes rose and caught on his form. Dryness assailed my throat. Holy…mother…of…Jesus. Dressed in a soft v-neck with a strap of leather around his neck dangling into the crevice of his collar, Marv looked every bit the laid-back college student rather than his usual professional suit and tie ensemble. I bit my lip and stood up on wobbly knees as he approached. He slowed to a walking gait as he rounded a brick pillar into the patio area. “Hey,” he greetedme.
“Hey.” My eyes traveled downward without even meaning to. Dark blue jeans hugged his legs. They looked perfectly tailored to him. Perhaps theywere.
Marv collapsed in one of the rocking patio chairs at my side and I blinked before quickly retaking my seat, so I didn’t look like an utter dweeb just standing there staring at him. “So, how’d it go with the advisor?” heasked.
My eyes drifted down to where his shirt pulled tight across his shoulders, outlining the breadth of his frame. “Theadvisor?”
“Yeah, the advisor—Harlow, are youokay?”
I blinked, flushing hot when I realized what I had been doing. My gaze shot to his to see if he had noticed, but Marv just sat there with both of his brows drawn low as he watched me, confused. “Right, the advisor. She, uh, I mean, what I mean to say is that she—Professor Brownson—” I stumbled over my words and had to stop myself and draw a deep breath. “I didn’t get anywhere with the admissions office,” I finally admitted. “They wouldn’t even let me past the front office area to see anyone. But Professor Brownson let it slip that Erika informed her that she’d be leaving campus for abit.”
Marv sat up straighter. “She knew, then.” His eyes scanned the front lawn before he stood and reached for my elbow. “Is your roommate in rightnow?”
Shocked at his abruptness, I shook my head. “No,why?”
“Because we probably shouldn’t talk outhere.”
I nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.” Marv released me as I let us into the dorm. Thankfully, we didn’t run into anyone else as I checked Marv in and went up to my new dorm room. Once inside, he looked around, grimacing—probably at how small and cramped it was. I dropped my bag on my bed and sat at thedesk.
“So, what now?” I asked. “Should we call theothers?”
Marv shook his head. “If Bell and Knix weren’t answering, they’re probably on theroad.”
“But both of them notanswering?”