"Lynn," I say quietly stepping into the dimly lighted apartment. She's sitting on the couch with two plumb colored suitcases and a wad of Kleenex under her nose. I reach the living room and lean heavily against the doorway unsure whether to go to her or not. She reaches for the lamp and snaps it on. The light casts an eerie glow on her withered face. Shadows make her angular features protrude giving her an almost sinister visage. I swallow the swelling lump in my throat and take a step towards her.

"Don't," She hisses like an enraged cat, "come near me". I jump back bewildered by the anger blossoming in her eyes. It's like dealing with a Meth lab testing the chemicals, hoping they mix, and always the afterthought of the explosion. "Your little plan worked". I raise an eyebrow afraid to speak. I cross my arms over my chest, the room suddenly growing cold.

"What plan?" I say taking the bait. Her face tightens as she sets her jaw and leans forward, nails biting into the arm of the couch.

"The plan where you get me kicked out of Princeton for telling the dean that Tucker and I slept with each other. Does that plan ring any bells?" She seethes rising from the couch, the mauve afghan slipping to her feet. She yanks the suitcases off the cushions wheeling them behind her. She stops two feet away letting her face break into a million pieces, the anger dissipates leaving the real and raw Lynn in front of me.

"I loved him and you took him away from me, Sam. And I…"

"I never told anyone about that! I didn't agree with it at first because I thought he was just taking advantage of you because you're his student, but I never told anyone about it. Lynn you've got to believe me."

"Save it, Sam. I know you hated him. You were just trying to watch out for me," She says wheeling past me, her voice almost back to normal as she steps outside onto the welcome mat. She looks back, sizing me up. She throws her shoulders back and straightens her spine becoming the dignified best friend I had always admired. "But this time you went too far". With that she walks primly down the stairs towards the waiting cab.
I go back inside slamming the door behind me. The kitchen table lends me an ear as I rage and sob. What's happening to me? An hour soon passes and I have analyzed the facts that have unfolded over the past week.

Austin and Lynn both left.

Austin hasn't called which is unlike him even if we have a huge fight. He's always the first to call. I don't think we're completely broken up or not. Lynn was kicked out because someone let the cat out of the bag about her and the teacher and claims it was my doing since I'm the only one she's told.

Someone is out to destroy me.

I need to call Austin. It's been five days. I don't know why I haven't dialed. I guess it's because I think he's just so busy. He doesn't need our drama on top of his father's sickness. I swallow hard and dig into my jean pockets pulling out my cell phone. I need to know what's going on. I dial his cell phone and wait pulling both legs atop the chair. I rest my chin on my knees as the ringing seems to become longer, louder, and more desperate. I click End and decide to call again but something glimmers on the floor.

I rise from the chair walking towards the end table by the window. A butterfly clip rests daintily on the kitchen tile. Lynn wouldn't be caught dead wearing that and I don't own any clips. Someone's been in my house. Chills run down my spine at the thought. I tuck the clip into my front pocket and let out a flustered exhale. Whoever's been in my house has been messing with me, I'm sure of it.

"Knock, knock" A voice says menacingly behind me. Fear lurches my heart to a stop. I close my eyes ready to face my attacker.