Chapter 2. Why are you really here?
Back at Rory's dorm Kiera and Rory started to make the extra bed for Kiera. Rory was really wondering what her friend was doing here. Not that it wasn't great to see her, Kiera was a hoot to hang out with and with finals just over they would have all the time in the world. But still. What had happened to make her friend come all the way from Stanford without notice?
"Um, Kiera. I have to ask; why are you here? Has something happened? Does James know where you are?" Rory asked. Kiera could see the concern on her face. She sighed and sat down on the newly made bed.
"No. He doesn't know. And he probably wouldn't care. He..he dumped me, Rory. The engagement is off"
"What! Why?"
"I don't know. He wasn't really clear on the details. I think he met someone else. When I started to pressure him for an explanation he kinda blew up. He started yelling at me. Then he grabbed me and shook me. He was out of control Rory! Anyways, it ended with him shoving me so hard that I hit my back on the windowsill and broke the window."
"Oh my God!" Rory couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Yeah. Well, I didn't want to stay and I couldn't go home so I came here. Can I stay here for a few days?"
"Yes of course! You can stay for as long as you want."
Rory sat down beside Kiera and gave her a hug.
"Ouch! Remember: back and windowsill." Kiera said when her friend accidentally squeezed her back in a very bruised spot.
"Oh, sorry! Can I see, please? Do we need to get you to a hospital?" Rory asked.
"No, it's okay. But when it happened; I thought my back was broken." Kiera said as she turned her back and rolled up her shirt.
Rory couldn't believe it. Her friends lower back was completely black and blue.
"Oh, Jez! James did this? I can't believe it. I though he was one of the really nice guys."
"Yeah well, so did I. Only goes to prove you never really know anybody, doesn't it?" Kiera said with a crooked smile as she rolled down her shirt again. Rory was very worried. She wanted to call the police but what good would that do. James wasn't anywhere near here.
"We have to go and report this to the police tomorrow, Kiera. You aren't going to let him get away with this, are you?"
"I don't know. Can I sleep on it?" Kiera said. She really hadn't made up her mind yet. Her first thought had been to report the whole thing. But still, it was James they where talking about. He had been her boyfriend for four years! And he wasn't really a violent person. All these thoughts where going through her head but she didn't want to discuss any of them with Rory at the moment. Maybe everything would be clearer in the morning.