Walking into the small dormroom in a rush, I noticed a girl sited on Elisabeth's bed reading. For a second, I assumed Betty dyed her hair blonde, but when the girl quickly turned to face me, I realised it was someone else.

I frowned. Elisabeth isn't here. Meaning the blonde is probably Lucy, the infamous roommate who's never here.

"James Andrew?" Lucy stared at me surprised. She stood from the bed and looked at me curiously. "I wasn't ex_pecting...." She stuttered.

The way her large blue eyes roamed my face appeared as something in the lines of "I can't believe James Andrew Scott is right infront of me."

"What the fuck are you doing here?" A guy spoke entering the room. I turned around unimpressed by the rudeness.

The dude from a few months ago. I gave the idiot a black eye for acting crazy. He claimed to be Elisabeth's best friend. Why would Betty waste her time on this guy?

"Where is she?" I inquired immediately. The sooner I receive answers, the sooner I can leave. I got a feeling they know something.

The guy snickered tentatively. "Not here clearly. And even if I knew where Lisa was, I wouldn't tell you anything. So I suggest you get the hell out. You have caused enough trouble for her."

He's really testing my patience.

"Watch your mouth?" I warned. I don't need strangers ranting about things they don't understand.

"Or what?" He took a threatening step forward, folding the sleeves of his shirt. As if thats meant to scare me. I managed to put the guy in his place once. I definitely can do that again.

The girl instantly moved to stand between us, pressing her hand above his chest holding him back.

She fixed her cold eyes on mine.

"Callum explained last night's incident. You're the reason Elisabeth left." She accused. "My opinion of Callum and you has changed. Once you see Callum please notify him that he's no longer welcome here. I forgot to mention that yesterday."

Of course Callum prefered to pin me for this mess. Guess tossing blame didn't wipe him clean.

"What do you mean by Elisabeth left?" I muttered to the girl beside me.

"Are you deaf?" The guy mocked. God, lamest attic of travesty.

I can't tolerate this guy anymore but I won't entertaining a fight. I feel very pacified to dutify triggers. I have other significant things to be involved with. For instance, searching for Elisabeth.

Lucy hesitated for a second as she glanced at the idiot standing a few feet away from us.

"I returned an hour ago and noticed that half her belongings gone. The suitcases, clothes and other essential stuff absent. Betty only left a note assuring me that she's safe." The girl's eyes turned glossy as her lips twitched. "I honestly don't know where Elisabeth went to."

Is Lucy trying to prank me? Why would Lisa do that? We could've talked about this.

"We have James Scott to thank for that." He spat. "Plus that son of a bitch Callum."

"Whats your problem?" I glared at him.

He responded spitefully. "Thought it was obvious? Ever since you stumbled in Elisabeth's life everything changed. You turned her into this selfish person who cares more about James Scott than doing whats right. Betty was never that way. Then Lucy confirms that Callum initially desired to use Lisa too. I warned her repeatedly but she would always defend the both of you. She even fought with me over Callum. Betty chose to trust Callum instead of me. And where did that trust take her? She always trusted easily. And not once did it save her. Ever since we were kids."

I listened silently.

"Now she's gone." His voice cracked, weakness taking over as he said more than intented. "I pushed her away while I promised to never abounden her. Elisabeth felt so alone that the first person she ran to was you instead of me. You don't even love her as I do. She wanted one thing her whole life. Betty never asked for much from anyone. All she ever wished for was the people she cared about to truly love her. But they took advantage of her. None treated her decently and constantly abused her, yet she still hoped. Lisa doesn't even realize how strong she is. And I failed her." He averted his gaze to hide a fallen tear.

A heavy knot formed against my throat and I clenched my fists to calm the nerves.

Lucy sniffed while wiping her tears. "It's best you excuse us now." She told me.

The atmosphere shifted quicker than expected. Failing to protest, I figured its best to leave. I suddenly prefered giving the guys space. I need that as well.

I drove away from NYU campus and parked my car outside the apartment complex. The last thing I want is being inside my place. Groaning, I grab a cigarette from the dashboard and light it up. I pressed the intoxicating digit between my lips and leaned on the bent car seat. I watched the smoke escape by the window after each blow.

Its been a while since I've felt guilty. I can not remember the last time.

Terrible.

The feeling is nagging and almost unbearable. Hard to shake off. It really sucks.

I messed up this time profoundly. She was right there. How could I not see it? It showed in the way she'd look at me. And the submission. She rarely refused me. Giving so much of herself even after realising I had a girlfriend. Never demanding that it often surprised me. I loved that about her. Some may think her foolish but Elisabeth trusted me. And I stepped on that trust, heartless.

What have I gotten myself into? I had dragged this innocent girl into my shitty life and ruined her.

I rubbed my face and groaned in frustration.

No strings attached. That sounds so stupid now that I think of it. The affair I started with Betty is connected with strings from every corner.

The words altered by Betty's best friend are now stuck to my head. Rewinding like a broken record over and over again. He spoke of things that directly stung my chest. At that spot I believed was secured behind thick strong walls. Had I really taken advantage of Elisabeth in the most vail of ways? God, I was so oblivious and blind and I cost a girl her happiness. To the point she dropped everything and moved out.

I have no defense. But simply being near her robbed my focus. It was impossible denying myself what was presented on a golden platter for me to take. So I took and took and took until I dried her empty. And I couldn't bring myself to stop especially when she gave me control. And I love control.

Its hard to believe. Elisabeth packed her stuff and dissappeared from Campus. I doubt Betty fled New York. God forbid. Her entire life is here. Education, Job and dream. She has very little budgeted money to even afford moving into an apartment. Almost every dollar earned at Inez's fashion house goes to her mother's attorney. She has no reliable family in New York. I checked. So where could she be and who's helping her? I need to find her.

Betty has barely recovered. And in her current emotional state, I fear for her health. I seek her best interest. I know I've hurt her more than I previously realised. I must make it up to her.

First, I call Evans. Betty values her job and wishes to keep it. I have a gut feeling that she reported to Evans before doing anything else to avoid affecting her work. And if Evans doesn't provide any useful information then I have to visit the Vice principal of NYU. Moving out off campus dormrooms needs paper work and the principal is the most convenient person to get details from.

Whatever it takes. I must get to her.

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