Broken

Chapter 72

The week that followed was as hectic as expected. Makenna was happy to see Hee pulling through and hitting the books more than she normally did. Kent's calls and messages were constantly blowing up her phone but she was actually kind of proud that Hee didn't fall through the cracks and give in. Kent had invited them to parties in the middle of assessment week which she hoped was a joke.

Makenna was suddenly beginning to see something off about the group she hadn't seen before. She hated that she was noticing the little things. But she ignored it, not because it was what she did best, but because she didn't want to see something wrong with what had been her normal for around two years; give or take.

It was a hard pill to swallow.

It was like her reality had been a lie. Now, those little things were piling up and it was getting harder to sweep under the rug. But Makenna told herself that she was the one who was off because she was. And once again, she'd swept it easily under the rug believing that her gut feeling was off because something was wrong with her.

She busied herself with studying for the assessment with and sometimes without Vanessa. She had quick trips to Metro Coffee to get some downtime from studying, being locked up in her room, and giving the assessment. She'd run into Thea once and they'd sat down for a drink but planned on meeting up after the week's assessment.

Makenna submitted her last paper that week and headed out with everyone else.

"How did it go?"

Makenna turned to find Vanessa smiling,
"I would like to forget about it and move on."

"That bad?"

"Not bad. Just glad it's over."

Vanessa smiled,
"Plans for tonight?"

"You know it." Makenna glanced at her, "Want to join?"

Vanessa looked surprised,
"That was unexpected."

"Don't hold it against me. I'm probably just overwhelmed with this week's schedule."

"No." Vanessa said as they made their way out of the department's building, "You've been different all week."

Makenna blinked,
"Different how?"

"I don't know."

They walked out, the chatter around them from students making conversation about the assessment and making plans.

"So, tonight?"

"Not sure, but text me the address. I'll make it if I can."

"Sure." Makenna turned to leave,

"Let's take a break this weekend?"

Makenna turned with a small smile as she walked backwards,
"Unsaid rule."

Vanessa smiled, turned and left. Makenna headed to her dorm wishing she had her phone and AirPods. She hated having to walk through college without that physical armour. Without that, her mind drifted to what Vanessa had said.

Different.
She couldn't help but recall that Atlas had said the same thing that night.

Well, for one, visiting her parents had somehow gotten rid of the guilt of abandoning them. Being back home had made her remember everything she'd put them through and how she didn't want to put them through it again. But also, Mr. Mill... Tim.

She was so used to calling him Mr. Miller having worked for him almost throughout high school. It was hard to change something that has become a habit.

But putting a real smile on Tim's face that night had given her something. But it had also taken something. It was like finding a broken piece of glass that fit into a larger piece but was still missing other pieces. He had taken away a little bit of the ache in her.

Makenna smiled to herself.

"Mac."

Makenna looked up to find Brandon.

"Hey." He smiled as she came to a stop,

"Hey."

"We've missed each other this week."

"Yea. But I was looking forward to catching up in the ring."

"You were?" His smile widened,

"I need to get in my workout."

"Right." He dragged, "So I won't see you at the party?"

"We'll be there." Makenna walked around him and resumed walking.

She finally made it to her dorm's block a few minutes later when she heard the deep revving of a bike. She kept walking and looked up as the bike approached from the other side of the road. His gaze connected with hers and he gave her a curt nod to acknowledge her as he zoomed past.

Makenna blinked and turned to head into the building giving no second thought to him. Or the smirk that she'd seen form on his lips.

Makenna made it to her room only to stop as soon as she opened the door. Hee was playing music so loud and vibing to it that Makenna couldn't hear her own head voice. Makenna headed for the speaker and turned down the volume.

"Hey." Hee said cheerfully when she noticed Makenna,

"What's going on?"

"Just having a pre-party party." Hee said still dancing, "I think I'm getting my grades up this semester. My parents are going to be so proud."

Makenna smiled to herself, already so proud of her. She grabbed her phone and plunked down on her bed. She checked her notifications and saw a text from Thea that came in five minutes ago.

Thea: Heard there's a party tonight. Want to go?

Makenna sent a quick reply.
There are several. I'll send an address.

Her reply came almost instantly like she'd been waiting for her reply,
Great. See you tonight.

Makenna forwarded the address to Thea and Vanessa separately.

Standing outside Metro Coffee, Thea heard her phone ding and unlocked her phone to find that Makenna had sent the address. She was looking forward to tonight but she was even more excited that she and Killian would be spending some quality time after the week they just had.

"Hey, beautiful."

Thea turned around and grinned brightly as he approached her. He returned her smile as he got to her and placed a quick kiss on her lips that stunned her. Killian found the stunned look on her face almost comical, but he looked at her hands.

"What've you got?"

"Uh..." Thea shook her head, "I've got croissants and red velvet cake from Corina and..."

"Cat and Rabbitt."

The look on his face was all Thea needed. He peeked into the bag and looked at her with love in his eyes and a huge grin on his face.

"You didn't..."

"No. I placed an order." Thea said proudly, "I'm getting your company, I wanted you to get something from this arrangement as well."

Killian placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him,
"I would throw that bag into the bin just to show you that your company is all I need." He said with no hint of humour, "But it's not good to waste food."

Thea burst out laughing and he joined her.
"Nice save."

"C'mon."

"Wait, we have to get our drinks first."

"Woman, you are something special."

Thea smiled and waited for him to get their drinks inside Metro Coffee. He joined her almost immediately and they headed to their favourite spot hand in hand.