After his nap, Wilhelm climbed the stairs of the dorm and slowly made his way down the hall before he was stopped by a familiar voice. What wasn't familiar was the fact that this voice was yelling at him.

"Will!"

Wilhelm stopped in his tracks and turned around to see a very angry Kate scowling at him.

"I thought you were my friend! How could you do this to me!?"

"What do you mean?" Wilhelm asked, confused and hurt by her accusation.

"Don't.. Tell me you didn't know. You knew and you did nothing."

"I didn't know, Kate."

"Don't lie to me!"

Kate became more upset by the moment, and a tear fell down her left cheek. Wilhelm took a few steps forward and tried to wipe the tear from her face. She rejected his gesture and swatted his hand away roughly.

"I'm not lying. Please just talk to me. Trust me."

Kate's face softened over a few seconds and this time, she allowed him to wipe her tears. Kate quickly turned around, took his hand, and lead him to her room without saying a word. Kate let go of his hand and went in first and Wilhelm shut the door behind them.

"Sit down," Kate ordered, not even looking at him.

Not wanting to argue and risk upsetting her further, he did what she wanted and sat on the small ottoman after moving it closer to her desk. He then waited patiently for her to speak first. She sat in silence and stared down at her desk for what seemed like an eternity to him. Wilhelm began to feel very anxious and his right hand began to shake at the thumb. In response, he made his hand into a tight fist.

"When did you find out about the video?" Kate asked, eyes closed, still not looking at him.

"I'm sorry, Kate."

"Answer the question."

"I didn't find out until this morning."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because I'm your friend. I'm telling the truth. Please just hear me out."

"I wouldn't have let you in if I wasn't going to. Just tell me."

"I've been sick recently and I haven't been in the loop. I hadn't heard about it and I didn't see it. I still haven't seen it. I don't want to. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it this morning. I didn't know what to say. Or if you even wanted to talk to me. Please forgive me, Kate."

"I believe you. Just go, please. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"Are you sure? I'd stay here all night if you asked."

"I know you would. Come back later. I need to be alone right now."

"Okay," Wilhelm said as he stood up, "May I borrow a sticky note?"

"Sure," Kate said before handing one to him.

Wilhelm wrote on the note as quickly as he could and stuck it to the shelf of her desk. He then removed his necklace.

"Give me your hand."

Kate complied with his request and he gently placed the necklace in her palm and closed her hand.

"I don't know what you're thinking right now, and I don't wish to leave you entirely alone. Keep this piece of me with you for the time being. This cross has been in my family for almost 130 years. It was given to my great-great grandfather when he was baptized in the Kingdom of Württemberg. It is my most prized possession. You have my blessing to wear it. Don't lose it."

Kate forced a smile and thanked him before he turned to leave. She took the note and read it.

Remember, no one is a failure who has friends.

Love,

Wilhelm

Wilhelm opened the door to find Max standing in front of Kate's room, causing her to violently jolt backwards. She began to fall, and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Max. But what are you doing here?"

"Someone wrote something mean on her whiteboard. I was erasing it."

"That's sweet of you, Max. You're such a dear," Wilhelm said with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Max said, flattered by his complement.

"No, thank you for helping Kate. See you later."

I don't know what to make of him, Max thought. He seems so nice, but he's somehow Victoria's best friend at the same time.

Wilhelm began to walk back down the hallway when his phone vibrated and he checked his messages.

Victoria: Ready?

Wilhelm: Yes. Where do you want to meet?

Victoria: My room. We have a lot to talk about.

Wilhelm: I'll be there soon.

Victoria: K

Wilhelm made his way down the hall and to Victoria's room. He knocked on her door lightly.

"Come in," Victoria said.

Wilhelm quietly entered her room and shut the door. Victoria was sitting up in her bed reading.

"Come sit with me," Victoria instructed.

He sat up next to her, leaned on her, then took a deep breath and sighed before speaking.

"I guess this is time for a talk," Wilhelm said.

"It is."

"What do you want to know?"

"What going on with you? Why have you been so off lately?"

"What is there to say? Rachael's been missing for six months and she's probably dead. I'm upset. I've been upset."

"I know that. What haven't you been telling me?"

Wilhelm didn't respond.

"Did something happen between you and Rachael? I noticed you were spending more time with her."

"I took her home one night, she invited me in. Things went from there. We became close after that. And.."

"And?"

"I fell in love with her," Wilhelm said, his voice trembling.

All appearance of feeling left his countenance when he spoke those words.

"Then she disappeared. And it wasn't until after I started looking for her did I find out I wasn't the only one. I should've known. I just couldn't see it."

"She hurt you."

"Yes."

"Are you still in love with her?"

"Yes. I think of her everyday. I believe I could let go if I saw her again… So I could tell her how much I love her. Then tell her to go fuck herself."

Victoria ran her fingers through his hair and gave him a few kisses on the side of his head.

"It's a bit of a paradox, isn't it?" Wilhelm asked, "I long to see her once more, then never again. I'm sorry if this was too heavy. I'm sorry if I upset you."

"No, it's okay. Don't apologize. I'm glad you're being honest with me.

The two friends cuddled in silence for a few minutes until Victoria spoke.

"Will?"

"Yes?"

"This might be a bad time but… about last night.."

"What about last night?"

"What did it mean?"

Wilhelm took a few seconds to answer. He could feel her heart beating faster.

"What do you want it to mean, V?"

"I don't know, but I want to find out."

"Likewise."

"How will we know?"

"Time."

The two of them stopped talking and Wilhelm fell asleep next to her. He woke up about an hour later to find himself alone in her room. He checked his phone and found a text from Victoria.

Going to shower. Back in 20. ;)

Five minutes ago.

Wilhelm pushed the covers off of his body and slowly rolled out of bed. The feeling of sweat sticking his shirt to his chest bothered him, so he decided to take it off. He scanned the room before his gaze made its way to Victoria's computer. She had left her phone and purse by the desk. Wilhelm then trudged his way to her desk and opened her computer.

Victoria returned to her room and found Wilhelm sitting up in her bed with the book she was reading earlier, The Importance of Being Earnest. He sat it down and looked up at her when he noticed her.

"You took too long. I missed you," Wilhelm said.

Victoria responded with a straight-lipped smile and a roll of her eyes.

"You're not wearing your necklace. What happened to it?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know. I just took it off this morning," Wilhelm replied.

"That's strange. I've never seen you without it."

"There's a first time for everything, V."

"Sure there is," Victoria said as Wilhelm got out of bed and put his shirt back on.

"I'm gonna go for a walk. Don't wait up for me, okay?"

"Okay."

With that, he gave her a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, left her room, and headed to his own.