The Certainty (Book Four in The Illusion of Certainty Series)

Our Reckoning Time

I had a mandatory therapy session once a week, every Monday afternoon after study hall. I hated going and I didn’t think I needed to go anymore. But it was mandatory and I had to do it.

“So, Georgiana. How are classes going?”

“Classes are fine.”

“And everything else?”

“We had demonstrations on Friday.”

“I know. I was there. You did very well.”

“Thank you.”

“How did you feel afterwards?”

“Bruised, sore.”

“That’s understandable. Did you get any offers?”

“Thirteen.”

“That’s a high number.”

“I’m sure it is.”

Silence…

“Georgiana, there is something I need to ask you.”

“About?”

“Aidan Hanover is back.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“How does that make you feel?”

“I’m trying not to think about it actually.”

“If you were forced to?”

“It makes me feel…unhappy.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t understand why he’s back here. He had everything he needed or wanted in New York. I just don’t understand why he would have to come back here.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“I have. Briefly.”

“What did you talk about?”

“Jason.”

“You talked to him about Jason?”

“More like he talked to me about Jason.”

“What did he say?”

“I don’t really want to discuss it. What he said to me was private. I don’t want to betray his trust.”

“Trust. Do you trust him?”

“No. But he trusts me.”

“Why don’t you trust him, Georgiana?”

“I have my reasons.”

For the rest of the week I managed to avoid being alone with Aidan. We didn’t say much to each other; we were cordial but we didn’t go out of our way to include the other. We now had assigned seating apparently. To keep things from getting ‘awkward’ or at least that’s what my brother told me.

On Friday our group was sitting around our table for dinner when Mark asked what everyone was doing for the weekend.

“Nothing.”

“Nada.”

“Squat.”

“Dinner with Luke on Saturday.”

Everyone looked at me. I had a fork full of baked Zeti halfway to my mouth. I stopped and closed my mouth.

“What?” I said. “I owe him dinner.”

“You’re going off campus…” Sophie said.

“Yes. I’m going off campus.”

“I think I just entered the Twilight Zone,” Mark said.