Page 44 of #PhiThetaForever

Nodding my head, I open my eyes and give myself a moment to center before slowly getting myself up, Declan's hands on my hips, holding me steady the entire time. Once we get outside, I'm sat in the back of an ambulance, and they keep the doors open. One of the police officers comes over to take my statement, while the other puts Bo in the back of a police car while talking to the Dean of the college.

Just what I don't need. Negativity and drama waved in front of the Dean my first year here. I'm in the top five of the Dean's list after last semester, and he's going to think I'm crazy or something. After the cop takes my statement, he joins his partner, and Declan joins me. The paramedic finished wrapping a gauze bandage around my neck after cleaning the cuts from Bo's nails.

"Use antibacterial soap, antibiotic cream, and keep it covered for today and tomorrow. The cuts are a bit deep, so they make take a little time healing, but you just need to make sure they don't get infected."

I nod and slide out of the ambulance and right into Declan's arms. Burying my face in his chest, I close my eyes again and kinda let the desperation filling me to spill out as he holds me. This is not how us coming back was supposed to be, and something in me screams that Bo was serious in his threat.

And that might frighten me more than anything else.

47 Declan

"What do you mean he made bail?" I shout, causing Lena to jump in her sleep.

"Yes," my father says sternly, "and you need to steer clear of him, son. I know you want to protect Lena, but confrontation could mess us the case the DA is building against him. I'm calling the Dean and finding out what's going to be done for this assault, and how he plans to make sure students like you and Lena stay safe while on campus."

"Okay, Dad," I say pinching the bridge of my nose as I sit back on the edge of Lena's bed, "I will do best."

"I know you will, Declan," he says, "you're mother and I couldn't be more proud of you than we are seeing you stand up for not just yourself but all the people that this fraternity has taken advantage of and hurt over the years."

Sighing, I take a shuttering breath. "Dad, I'm scared he's going to hurt Lena."

"I know you are, son. I am, too. He caught Lena off-guard today, but I don't think he'll get that advantage twice. She's going to be watching now, and if he tries this shit again, something tells me she'll get the upper hand. You have to trust her to keep herself safe when you aren't with her."

I lick my overly dry lips and try to calm myself. "I know, but I can't lose her, Dad. Not for this."

"You won't lose her, Declan," he says sternly, "that I promise you."

My dad and I chat for another minute until a light hand touches my back and trails up my spine. After hanging up with him, I lay back in her bed and roll so I'm facing her. She gives me a sleepy smile, and I lean in to kiss her forehead. Snuggling into my chest, Lena sighs and tightens her arms around me.

"I love you," she whispers.

"I love you, too, baby," I say back, running my fingers gently through her hair and kissing the top of the head.

She dozes back off, and I close my eyes, hoping maybe I'll get some sleep as well. Classes start tomorrow, and we both need our heads back in the game. Especially me. Sigma Nu almost ruined my first semester, and I'll be damned if Bo's bullshit is going to take my time or energy away from what's important.

It's early in the evening, but Lena's exhausted as am I. Tomorrow, we've got to hit the bookstore, and she wants to reserve a study room in the library for the semester. They hold up to eight people, and we've got six in our immediate group, so it should work out well. We also have our first official gather of the semester for #PhiThetaForever. It's a Beach Barbecue theme. Supposed to be cooking on the grill, fruity drinks and stuff like that. I'm actually really looking forward to it.

The lock to the dorm room clicks and I sit up a bit as Candace and Jackson walk in. Holding my finger up across the center of my lips, the both stop with wide eyes that glance from me to a sleeping Lena and back. Jackson nods and they tip-toe, Jackson taking extra care not to slam the door when he shuts an locks it. We both told the girls it needs to stay locked at all time after Bo's shit. I don't want to take anymore chance of him or his cronies just barging in here on the girls.

"How your hand, man?" I say as Jackson sits on the edge of the bed.

He holds his hand up and flexes his fingers. "I'm good. God, forgive me, but I've wanted to punch that asshole since we met him."

I chuckle and then catch myself when Lena groans and stretches out before rolling over. Jackson and I are completely silent until she snores softly again. Jackson waves for me to follow him, so carefully, I get out of bed and grab one of Lena's throw blankets to cover her up. She snuggles down, and thankfully, doesn't wake up again.

With all my screwing up last semester, I feel like I've lost touch a bit with Candace and Jackson, and that kinda kills me a bit. We've known each other pretty much out whole lives, and they're as much my family as Darcy. They're both sitting on Candace's bed with styrofoam containers full of a ton of Chinese food.

"We thought maybe you and Lena would need to eat, too, so we just got a ton of everything," Candace whispers with a laugh.

Jackson turns on the television and lowers the volume. For a while, we eat and watch reruns of The Three Stooges, our favorite show that my dad used to put on for us when we were little. It's been forever since we've sat together and watched it, and one of the few traditions we haven't got to do with Lena yet.

By the time we're tired, Lena still hasn't woken up, so I help them put the food away, and climb back in bed with my girlfriend. Snuggling up to hold her in my arms, I sigh, praying that things go better this semester, and that God forgives me for the stupid decisions I've made this year.

I'm going to see this court thing through, and be better through everything. I know I am.

48 Lena

"Lena," Sandra shouts above all that chatter and laughter in the house, "come give me a hand!"