Triple Major_An MFMM Graduation Romance

by Lana Hartley

  Well, fuck. It’s officially being determined now that there is much more at play here. Who would do such a thing as to start a fire at the university?

  I stand up with a jolt. I have to talk to the guys. I send them a group text to make it easier and faster.

  I’ll be at work shortly, wait for me.

  I get ready as quickly as I can and take the train. After arriving a few minutes later, I walk into the main building where I planned in advance to meet the guys for a discussion on what route to take next and what building we can use for a makeshift research office.

  As I stop to pull open the front doors leading into the main atrium, I hear an unfamiliar male voice call my name from behind me.

  Turning around curiously, my mouth falls open when I see who’s behind me. It’s the same bald man wearing a trench coat who I met the other day in the research lab. An ominous feeling prickles on the back of my neck, but I hold my ground.

  “I really need to talk to you,” the man says, eyes pleading with urgency.

  “I’m sorry.” Shaking my head, I spin on my heels and call out over my shoulder, “I’m late for something—in a hurry to start my research all over again.”

  The man takes a few steps closer to me and closes the door before I can swoop through it.

  “Please, this is really important. I think you’ll want to take a few minutes to talk to me after you hear what I have to say.”

  I stare up at the man in perplexity. What does he want? The matter seems urgent.

  “Okay,” I tell him even though I’m feeling both trepidation and frustration building up within me.

  I’m a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode from the frayed nerves that have come unraveled over the last few days.

  We stand together outside at the empty university steps. It’s still early, and most of the staff and students won’t arrive for classes for another hour or so.

  Our silhouettes stand a few inches apart as we stare at each other, waiting to see who will make the first move. Apparently, it will be the trench coat guy because he wants to explain something to me.

  “Alright, you have my attention,” I coax him. “What’s so important that you have to disrupt my morning?”

  I don’t mean to be rude, but the fact that he’s showing up again leads me to believe that he has some tips to give me, and I only hope it’s about the fire.

  “First of all, I want you to know how sorry I am, and that I don’t want you to become too upset.”

  I stare at him and narrow my eyes. That is exactly the type of thing someone will say directly before another person becomes distressed by what they’ll hear.

  The man licks his lips and fidgets, shifting his weight as he glances around nervously. I just want him to fucking spit it out already.

  “Someone hired me as a henchman...someone who doesn’t want your research to be a success,” the strange man admits.

  My heart collapses. I just knew it. My intuition is proving itself true right now, in this very moment.

  I try not to wail and run away because I need more information from this asshole.

  “The man I work for asked me to do terrible things.” He shakes his head in remorse.

  “What sort of things?” I whisper even though I already know the answer.

  I just want to hear the truth from this man’s lips.

  The man refuses to look directly at me, but he does continue talking. “It was me who cut the wires to the electrical in the research lab, not the rats.”

  Secretly, I wonder how many people are in on this scheme and who I should trust.

  The guilty man finally meets my gaze. “I also slashed the car tires, and I took the folder with your equations.”

  Hot tears sting my eyes as I try to process this information. I don’t even know this man; he’s a complete stranger.

  Why would he agree to commit such crimes against someone he doesn’t even know? More importantly, who put him up to this? Who is he working for?

  I want to shout at him, demand answers to all of the burning questions within me, as I explode like a volcano. I want to hit him and punch him, use him as a tool and medium to release my frustrations.

  But instead, I just stand there as fresh tears threaten to spill over onto the side of my face. I shake my head and whisper, “Why?” over and over.

  The man inches towards me. “I’m so sorry, Krista. I just want you to know I regret everything I did. I feel so much sorrow for contributing to your pain. When I met you in the research facility the other day and saw the passion in your eyes for your work, it made me realize what a mistake I made.”

  I glare up at this asshole prick.

  “Who do you work for?” I demand with a snarl.

  Yeah, I can get pretty aggressive and feisty if my patience is tested long enough.

  “I want everything to stop,” he states urgently, ignoring my question. “I don’t know why my boss wants your research to fail, but that’s the way I understand everything to be.”

  “Well, whoever you work for is a coward,” I tell the man. “They have to send someone in their place to do their dirty work.”

  I glare daggers of malice at this man. He probably thinks I’ll turn into a dragon and breathe fire on him or something; if only that’s an actual possibility.

  I cry silent tears of hopelessness. I have no idea why anyone would want to stunt my research, and I can’t draw up any reasonable explanation in my head.

  “You know, my research is not only going to help the environment, but also save a lot of lives,” I tell the man with defiance and determination.

  He nods his head in shame, a silent expression of regret on his face.

  “Is there anyway you can forgive me for what I’ve done to you?” he asks with an air of hopefulness.

  I ponder his request, still digesting all the issues that are now coming to light.

  I look up at the man. “Tell me who put you up to this. Maybe you can turn the tides and redeem yourself if you offer to help me now.”

  The man’s eyes brighten. “Yes, I can tell you and help you, anything to right some of the wrongs I’ve done.”

  I’m furious, wanting to confront the real culprit puppet master behind the scenes.

  “Tell me everything you know,” I instruct the man, knowing with confidence that he’s going to give up his ace.

  Chapter 31

  King

  “There’s nothing over here.”

  I glance over my shoulder at Dylan who tosses something unrecognizable onto the ground, covered in ash and burnt to a fucking crisp.

  “Well, fuck.” I shrug because I’m so stunned over what’s happening that I honestly don’t have anything else to say at the moment.

  There’s enormous fire damage everywhere, and I feel fucking hopeless.

  “I just wish there’s a way we can make this up to Krista...” I whisper softly and trail off.

  “We will make it up to Krista,” Simon states with a burst of confident determination that makes even me feel a chime of hope ringing through my senses.

  I give him a sorrowful smile. “Thanks, man. You can keep our spirits alive.”

  “That’s what I’m here for,” Simon affirms as we fist bump.

  The three of us guys are happy to volunteer with the supervising of the cleanup. I know, as well as Dylan and Simon, that Krista is overwhelmed and doesn’t need to see this devastation for herself any more than she has to.

  It’s like opening a new wound and rubbing salt into it. We just don’t want to put Krista through that anymore because it’s up to us to protect her.

  So far, I feel like we’re failing her because of all the incidents that are happening, but we can always prove our loyalty to her now more than ever.

  I can only speaking for myself, but right now I’m more alert and cognizant of my surroundings. I’m here to play hard ball.

  This time, I’m not going to allow another setback or backlash to slip past me. I’m like a
guard dog, watchful in the day and night. Yes, now I have eyes in the back of my head, and I’m going to make sure whoever has done this will pay dearly.

  Then, as if reading my mind, Simon syncs right up with my thoughts. “You know, we’re pretty fucking close to nailing this arsonist.”

  “Not only that, but the evidence also points to one person who’s done all these sabotaging incidents,” Dylan points out.

  “That asshole is going to burn just like this room,” I snarl, ready to contribute with my own line of vengeance.

  “Hell yes, he is,” Dylan roars, agreeing with me as we all chant together.

  “We won’t let this prick stand in our way!”

  I’m feeling inspired, pumped, and ready to find and deliver justice for our dear Krista. I look at my two best friends, knowing they have the same outlook as me.

  “The villain could be anyone,” I remind them. “A wolf in sheep’s clothing. They could be among us, posing as friends, staff, faculty, or students here at the university.”

  “He’s right,” Dylan grimly agrees. “We can’t trust anyone.”

  “We can trust each other,” Simon pipes up, trying to stay positive and not waver from our post of liberation from the chains of sabotage.

  “Why don’t we stay here and cool off a little before we decide to run around blaming everyone we see?” I suggest.

  We can use the quiet time to both process a new plan of operation, as well as continue to get the place in order, cleaning up as best we can.

  “You want to know the worst part of it?” Dylan asks as he shuffles through the rubble on the floor.

  “What?” I ask curiously.

  “Well...” he begins. “The problem is, everyone else seems just as concerned as we are.”

  “You mean among the faculty and staff?” Simon asks, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

  “Yeah, exactly,” Dylan confirms with a nod. “It makes our job harder to discern who is at fault in this situation.”

  “It has to be someone from the faculty though, or someone at the university who works or goes to school here,” I blurt out.

  “How do you figure that one?” Dylan ponders with a furrow of his brow.

  “Well think about it,” I say with a shrug, “who else would even know we’re doing this research in the first place? You know, it would have to be somebody who has insider information.”

  “The man’s got a point.” Simon points a finger at me in agreement.

  “It does make sense,” Dylan agrees. “It makes my fucking blood boil though.”

  “I know.” I sigh and lean against a part of a wall that isn’t badly burned. “Whoever the traitor is, I can’t wait to get my hands on them.”

  “Easy there, tiger,” Dylan says with a chuckle. “We should save that for the authorities.”

  “It will be hard if I find out who it is before they do.” I crack my knuckles.

  “To be honest, I’m a little freaked out.” Dylan laughs nervously.

  “What do you mean?” I frown.

  “Doesn’t all this shit make you even slightly paranoid?” Dylan states his case.

  I take a deep breath and rub my tired eyes. “Yes, I feel the need to look over my shoulder every second.”

  “That’s the definition of paranoia,” Dylan teases. “You’re right there with me.”

  “We’ll get to the bottom of this mess,” Simon states.

  “Are you speaking both physically and mentally?” I quip, laughing. “Whatever helps us dig out from disaster...” I trail off, suddenly feeling exhaustion from everything that’s been going on lately.

  “I’ll second that,” Dylan sits down on a stool that’s unscathed.

  At that moment, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I retrieve the device, pulling up the screen to see who’s interrupting our brainstorming, but at the same time, I’m grateful for the distraction.

  “It’s Krista.” I look up with a bright smile at the guys who give each other a grin.

  Even the sound of her name has such a perfect ring to it. We find ourselves feeling joy in light of destruction and of smoldering objects all around us.

  “Is she calling you?” Simon asks.

  “No.” I shake my head and glance down at my phone. “She’s texting me.”

  “Well, enlighten us, loser,” Dylan teases and flicks a pen at me. “What’s she saying?”

  I read the message that pops up in a little bubble on my iPhone.

  I’ll be at work shortly, wait for me.

  Panic rises in my belly. “She wants us to wait for her. She’s coming to the university.”

  “No!” Dylan shouts.

  Simon looks worried. “Can we stop her?”

  At the same moment, Dylan and Simon’s phones ding in their pockets. In unison, they pull them from their pockets and look up at me.

  “You guys got the same message I just did, didn’t you?” I say, fearing the worst.

  “Uh-huh.” Dylan nods with confirmation.

  “Yep.” Simon sighs and leans back in his chair.

  “Well that’s just great.” I laugh sarcastically.

  I love Krista and all, but we don’t need her to be stressed out any more than she probably already has.

  “If she comes in here and sees this mess, do you think she’ll panic?” I ask the guys.

  Simon shrugs. “I mean, she’s pretty strong. She might be okay with it.”

  “That’s true,” Dylan concurs. “She’s tough.”

  “Well I suppose we have no choice but to wait for her here then,” I state and find a place to sit on the ground that’s not messy.

  My phone buzzes again a few seconds later. Simon and Dylan’s phones follow suit.

  Meet me in the faculty room in an hour.

  I glance at the guys, and we nod.

  “Well, we might as well get to work while we wait,” Dylan says and begins tossing rubble to the entrance where we’re leaving a pile of things to help the firemen and waste management when they come by later to dispose of the trash.

  “I’m right there with you, buddy,” I tell him and get to work myself.

  * * *

  I glance at my watch. “Come on guys, it’s time to get moving.”

  “Has it been an hour already?” Simon looks puzzled.

  “Yep, we need to hurry to the faculty room, so we aren’t late for Krista. If we aren’t there when she arrives, she might think the worst.”

  “I have to say I can’t blame her for that.” Dylan chuckles as he walks over some trash to meet me and Simon by the exit door.

  “Well, here we go,” I say with chagrin as we file out together and walk silently down the hall, trekking to the thankfully undisrupted faculty room.

  I’m the first one to arrive in the room, which is empty. There’s no sign of Krista anywhere.

  “That’s odd...” I glance around the room.

  “What is it?” Dylan pushes past me and walks into the room. He looks confused and calls out, “Krista?”

  “She’s not in here,” Simon notes as he moves past us; he’s the last one to enter the faculty room.

  The guys and I exchange a look, then I glance down at my phone.

  “No messages,” I state.

  Dylan and Simon both look at their phones at the same time while I patiently wait, hoping that maybe they have a message from Krista that’s come through.

  They shake their heads regretfully. “Nothing on our end either.”

  “Damn.” I run a hand through my hair and start pace.

  I walk to the window and glance outside. It’s a beautiful, bright, and sunny day.

  “Krista wouldn’t just not show up without calling or texting us first,” I say.

  “It’s not like her,” Simon agrees in a hushed voice.

  “Do you think something’s wrong?” Dylan’s voice is high with alarm.

  Simon raises his hands to calm him. “Let’s not think the worst just yet.”

  “Why do
n’t I try to call her?” I offer. “Maybe she’s stuck in traffic or something.”

  “Good idea,” Dylan agrees and sighs with relief. “I’m sure that’s all it is.”

  He then waves his hand dismissively, as if he’s trying to convince himself more than me or Simon.

  The phone rings for what seems like an eternity, then cuts to Krista’s voice mail.

  “Hi, it’s Krista. I can’t get to the phone right now, but please leave me a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

  Her voice sounds chipper, and it gives me an eerie feeling. I hung up without leaving a message, then turn to look at the guys to tell them the bad news.

  “She didn’t answer.”

  “Shit!” Now even Simon, the optimistic one in our group, paces the floor. “What are we going to do now?”

  “I don’t know...” I shake my head.

  It’s not like Krista to not answer her phone, especially during these dire and distressing times.

  “I hope she’s not hurt,” Dylan says.

  “I have an idea,” I say, feeling a boost of confidence. “Let’s go walk around the campus and see if we can find her.”

  “Yes!” Simon shouts. “I’m sure she’ll turn up somewhere. She’s got to be around here.”

  “Let’s go,” I direct. “We’re wasting precious minutes the longer we sit here.”

  As a trio, we go on the hunt to find our beloved Krista.

  Chapter 32

  Dylan

  “Where should we look first?” I turn to face Simon and King, who both have looks of determination on their faces.

  “Let’s just start going down the hallways,” King suggests. “That way, if we cover all the bases, we’re more likely to find her.”

  “Good plan,” Simon concurs with a nod.

  “Well, what are we waiting for?” I ask and decide to lead the way. “Let’s go.”

  We look near and far, left and right, jogging down the university hallways, while we call out Krista’s name. But she’s nowhere to be found, and we are out of breath, panting while leaning against one of the walls for both support and a little break.

  “Where should we look now?” Simon asks with frustration.

  “I have an idea,” I say, sparking a new plan. “It’s crazy and a little outlandish, but we just might find her this way.”