by Abbi Glines
“Okay, thanks,” I said, not sure if I was thankful or not. The furry pillow was kind of silly-looking.
“I also have some artwork that we can put around the room so it all flows better. You’re not planning on hanging posters, are you? Because I can’t live with posters.”
Everly Adali was in luck. I hadn’t even thought of posters. I had in fact bought a mirror, but it was oval and in a white wooden frame. I was almost afraid to get it out. “No posters,” I assured her.
“Best news I’ve heard all day,” she said brightly, then began to spray what looked like perfume on my bed and then hers. “It’s lavender and vanilla. I got it in the Cotswolds while traveling around England this summer. You’ll sleep better. Do you snore?”
“Like a sawmill,” my dad said as he walked into the room with the last box. Knox had already headed to the frat house and promised to check in later. This would be where I did my good-byes to my parents, then was left with Everly.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, taking the box and placing it by the closet.
“I guess it’s yours from here,” Mom said, and hugged me. “Enjoy life again,” she whispered in my ear.
“I’m going to try,” I promised.
Dad hugged me. “If you get homesick, I’ll fill you up with gas when you get home.”
Smiling, I squeezed him. “Noted.”
“Love you, baby girl,” he whispered.
“Love you, too,” I said.
They each kissed my cheek, then they left me there. With all my boxes and my new life.
“So you snore,” Everly said, when they finally left the room.
I had forgotten that question. I could tell her I was a terrible snorer and let her worry about it all day. Or I could try to be friends with this girl.
“Not at all,” I assured her.
She made a dramatic sigh of relief. “Ah, great. Okay. Well, I’ve got an afternoon coffee hook-up from a hottie I’ve been after since last year.”
I wasn’t surprised. Her skirt barely covered her bottom and her stomach was flashing from the crop top she was wearing.
“Okay. Enjoy yourself.”
She beamed at me. “I will.”
* * *
ONCE EVERLY WAS gone, I sank down onto my bed and let out a sigh. I had seven boxes left to unpack. The new surroundings were nice. My room at home had started being less of a place of solitude and more of a reminder of all that had changed.
Everything was fresh here. Different.
I stood up and went to the first box. Right on top was the photo of Crawford and me at prom. It was in a silver frame that I’d shopped for just a week before the accident. I sat the picture on the nightstand and the familiar stabbing in my chest returned.
I missed him. I missed him so much.
That smile wasn’t one I’d seen in—it seemed forever now. Just seeing him smile used to make me feel at ease. I would do anything to get him to smile. But I realized that often I did whatever he asked, and didn’t think about what I actually wanted. Had I really lost myself over the years in trying to please him? Had he noticed?
I looked around the room again. One thing was for sure—I was finding me now. When he did wake up, I wouldn’t be the same girl. I’d be the one he fell in love with in the beginning.
Mom was right. This was my new start. I had to be strong and learn to live my life. It didn’t mean I’d forget the life I’d had with Crawford. That was part of who I was. It would always be there.
When he woke up, so much would change yet again. I shook my head. I couldn’t think about that right now. I would finish unpacking and find food. Maybe go to the gathering hall downstairs and see if Mae was around. I liked her better than my roommate anyway. And with that thought, I glanced back at the pink furry pillow on my bed and rolled my eyes.
My clothes barely fit in my closet. Mom had gone overboard. I had more pairs of shoes than one actually needed and my matching teal-blue towels had V monogrammed on them simply because my mother had a monogramming machine and she thought I wouldn’t lose them this way.
The bathroom that I was to share with Everly was packed with all her stuff, so I was thankful I had baskets to put my things in and neatly stack against the wall by my closet. Once everything had a place, I broke down the boxes and went to read my welcome letter again because I knew it had said something about where to take the recyclables. Especially the boxes, since there would be plenty this weekend.
After reading over the directions twice and memorizing them, I picked up my stack and headed for the door. The line for the elevator was worse, so I decided to take the stairs since I was just on the third floor. I had to go to the bottom, then out the back entrance, take a left, and find the first blue Dumpster.
I dropped a few boxes off the top three times before I got to the bottom of the stairs. The elevator may have been easier. But I was here now, so I headed out the door and toward the Dumpster. My forehead had broken out into a sweat and my arms were burning.
“Here, let me help,” a guy I couldn’t see because of the stack of boxes said, and then they were gone. I had never been so thankful. “Got them,” he said, as if I hadn’t already realized that.
“Thanks,” I told him, sounding way too winded and out of shape.
“No problem. I just hauled my sister’s down here.”
He was tall and a ginger. He was the attractive kind of ginger, though. Very Prince Harry. His muscles were impressive and on display with his T-shirt. I didn’t stare, though. That would be rude.
“That’s nice of you. My brother didn’t hang around that long, but in his defense he had to go unpack himself. “
“I don’t know how nice it was of me. My parents made me swear I’d help Mae until she was finished. And if I bailed she’d have called our dad. So…” He shrugged, then grinned.
“Mae, as in the girl who writes unique names in a journal?” I asked, thinking it would make sense for them to be siblings. Both redheads with friendly personalities.
“That would be Mae, her and that stupid journal,” he said with a roll of his eyes.
I laughed. “I made it into that journal, thank you very much.”
“Did you, now? Well, I need to hear your name then. I’m Charlie, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Vale,” I replied, and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Charlie.”
“If you’re wondering, we have a younger sister named Anne. My parents never once got creative with the names. Guess that’s part of Mae’s issues.”
He made me smile. Much like his sister. “I think Charlie, Mae, and Anne are very respectable names.”
He chuckled. “My mother is British. She’d like that comment. She agrees with you.”
“Really? I was just thinking you reminded me a bit of Prince Harry.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And here I thought we were going to be friends.”
That made me laugh, and laughing felt really good. The tightness in my chest eased, and I took a deep breath.
“Could be worse. You could have said William. At least I’m the rebel son.”
I nodded. “A compliment for sure.”
He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Here comes Mae. She’s ready for me to go. I can see it in her eyes.”
I turned to see Mae headed our way. “Stop flirting with my potential new friend, Charlie.” She paused and looked at me. “Another common, boring name. My parents, gah!”
“He was actually helping me with my empty boxes. They were kind of heavy,” I explained.
“Oh, good. He’s being helpful. Thank you, now run along. It’s time I take Vale here for a good cup of coffee and some of the best ice cream she’s ever had.”
Charlie shot me a crooked grin. “Have fun, but don’t let my sister teach you too many bad habits. That ice cream will slap the freshman fifteen on you overnight.”
“Oh, shut up.” She swatted at his arm, then linked her arm through mine. “He’s handy to
have around, but he can be a pest, too.”
I smiled back at him. “Thanks again, Charlie.”
He waved. “Anytime, Vale.”
Mae snorted. “He likes the brunettes with the blue eyes. It’s his thing. And you’re petite, and that natural olive complexion is killer. Everything he doesn’t have. He’s sunk already.”
I didn’t want him sunk. I wasn’t open for anything other than friends. I wouldn’t explain that, though. I wasn’t ready.
“Are you all unpacked?” I asked her, wanting to change the subject.
“Yup. Now time to introduce you to some people. Who’s your roommate? You like her?”
That was a loaded question. “Um, well, her name is Everly and she’s very … Barbie-ish.… She put a pink furry pillow on my bed.”
Mae threw her head back and laughed loudly. “Oh, dear lord. They didn’t give you a freshman? You got Everly. That’s almost cruel. My friend Jasmine, I’ll introduce her to you in a bit—she’s still unpacking and will meet us later—had Everly last year. That girl is the complete definition of a diva.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WALKING INTO THE coffee shop on campus, I expected to see a large crowd of students, which I did. I expected to meet new people, and because Mae was very social I did. But what I didn’t expect was the sight of my roommate snuggled up at a table with Slate Allen.
Everly seemed exactly the kind of girl silly enough to waste time with Slate. But still, I just hadn’t thought our worlds would be thrown together so soon after arriving on campus. I mean, the place wasn’t small.
“Everly with Slate Allen. Not surprised. She had her sights on him last year, but that one is a player. He has a different girl on his arm every day.” Mae was talking and I realized I was staring. Just before I tore my gaze off them, Slate’s eyes connected with mine and I felt an odd jolt. I quickly turned my attention to the large chalkboard menu hanging over the barista.
What was that jolt? Familiarity?
“Slate is looking at you. I’m telling you, girl, stay away from that one. Nothing but trouble,” Mae was whispering. “And now here he comes. Shit.”
I tensed, but I wasn’t sure why. Slate was a friend this summer when I needed one. He didn’t have to keep in touch. It wasn’t like he swore he would or anything. I was acting weird about this and I needed to shake it off now.
“Vale.” Slate’s voice still had a warm drawl. I liked that about him.
Smiling, I turned back to him. “Hey, how’ve you been?” I said almost a little too cheerily. I wanted to wince.
“Good, and you? Get settled in yet?”
“Oh, you know my roommate, Valerie?” Everly asked as she slid her arms possessively around Slate’s.
“It’s Vale, and yeah, we’re friends,” he said, still looking at me. This was becoming even more awkward.
“What can I get you?” the guy behind the counter asked, and I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Oh, yes,” I said, turning to look at him. I hadn’t had time to study the menu, so I went with what I knew they’d have. “Whatever you have on bold, please. Large.”
“I want a mocha latte with caramel sauce light, large, please,” Mae said beside me.
“Six forty-five,” the barista said.
I went to get my wallet out of my purse and Mae slapped my hand. “I got this one. You get mine tomorrow.”
I started to argue and she rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you got plain old coffee. It was like a dollar. The rest is mine.”
“Okay,” I relented.
“Let’s go somewhere less crowded,” Everly said behind me.
“You staying here, Vale?” Slate asked, and the awkward was all over the place.
“Yes, we’re meeting some friends,” Mae chimed in.
He flashed me a smile. “You make friends fast.”
Well, he was supposed to have been my first friend.
“Mae has taken me under her wing,” I said honestly.
“Before my brother did. I had to save you,” she teased, then turned around and got our drinks.
“I’ll see you later, then,” Slate said, and Everly stepped between us.
“Bye now,” she added.
“Bye,” I replied, then Slate turned and followed her out.
“Mother of God, why did you not tell me you knew Slate Allen? Please tell me you’ve not screwed him.”
I almost tripped and jerked my head to look at her. “What? Of course not! He’s in my brother’s fraternity. We met this summer. Just friends. I’m taken,” I added. Because I was.
“Oh,” she said, her eyes going wide. “Boyfriend back home? Another college?”
She led me through the crowd, but I didn’t see empty tables so I wasn’t sure where we were headed.
“Back home,” I said without explaining more.
“Those don’t always last. You know that, right?” She stopped at a table two other girls were sitting at. “Move over, whores,” she said with a playful tone.
“Mae, why were you talking to Slate Allen?” the brunette asked.
“Been there, and stop judging. It’s worth it,” the blonde said.
“You’re a slut, Sam,” Mae said, then motioned for me to sit down. “This is my new friend Vale. She’s rooming with Everly, God help her, and she’s friends with Slate.”
“Slate doesn’t have female friends,” the brunette said, looking at me suspiciously.
“I second that. I’ve been here as long as Slate has, and he’s never had a female friend.”
“She’s also fucked him,” the brunette added.
The blonde who I now knew was Sam rolled her eyes and kicked the other girl. “Shut up.”
“So, anyway, these are my friends. Sam and Joy,” Mae said, sitting down. “They also have no filter, so I’m sorry for everything that comes out of their mouths.”
“Whatever, you don’t either,” Joy said. “So, tell me, how are you friends with Slate Allen?”
I wasn’t sure we were friends, really, but I preferred to use that as an explanation rather than anyone thinking I was one of his many. “He’s my brother Knox’s frat brother. We met this summer.”
“Knox McKinley is your brother?” Sam asked, straightening in her seat.
I was almost afraid to confirm, but I nodded.
“He’s gorgeous. I’m angling for an invite to the Kappa Sigma party next weekend just so I can see him. I need to use my new red dress to get his attention.”
I was used to girls chasing my brother. This had happened in high school, too.
“Warning, if you try to use or harass Vale over her brother, I will forbid you any contact. No chasing the brothers of friends. Remember my rule.”
Sam pouted. “I thought that was just Charlie.”
“Nope. Goes for her older brother, too.”
Joy chuckled. “Good luck with that.”
“I guess I might believe the friends-with-Slate thing now. He wouldn’t poach a brother’s sister. They’re big about that at Kappa Sigma.”
Small miracles. I sipped my drink and relaxed a bit. The girls all began talking about their summers and asking me about my life. I left out the fact that Crawford was back home because he was in a coma. I wasn’t ready to share that just yet.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BECAUSE OF THE blackout drapes that Everly had hanging over the window in our room, I wasn’t sure what time it was when I woke up. The room was still pitch black. I reached for my phone. Nine thirty. Wow. I had gotten in bed at ten thirty. I wasn’t sure when Everly got in. At least she’d been quiet.
I turned on my flashlight and shined it at the floor so I could find my way to the bathroom. I could get ready before Everly woke up. That way there would be no trying to share the facilities.
“Turn that thing off, Jesus,” Everly grumbled.
“Sorry,” I apologized, pointing it away from her and toward my baskets by the wall.
“Like, turn it off now,” she snapped with
loud rustling of the covers.
“I’m just trying to get my things and get to the bathroom,” I explained.
“Then fucking hurry!”
I grabbed my basket and turned off the flashlight. I would try to not break an ankle or run into a wall in my attempt to find the correct door. I was afraid of the monster in the bed. She didn’t sound like a morning person at all.
I successfully made it into the bathroom and locked myself in before turning on the light. Just in case the light from under the door sent her into a crazed frenzy and she tried to attack. The girl was seriously hard to deal with. I had a pink furry pillow on my bed, for God’s sake. What more did she want?
I turned on the shower so the water could heat before I undressed. The steam filled the room and I looked forward to the warm water. The room was chilly. I heard the air conditioner running all night as well as a fan that Everly had plugged in.
Today I was supposed to have lunch with Knox. He’d texted last night. Then I was going to find the library and get the books I needed to start the reading on my course schedule. Mae had mentioned doing something this afternoon. She had to go check in at a restaurant called Polly’s where she worked last year as a waitress. They had promised her a job when she returned. She said she’d ask for me. Hopefully I could get a job that easily. My parents expected me to make my own spending money. They’d give me gas money only when I came home. Everything else was on me.
I’d seen two other text message alerts on my phone, but due to having to fight my way in the dark to the bathroom I hadn’t read them. I would do that when I was done showering. More than likely it was my mother or one of my brothers checking on me.
I wasn’t homesick yet, but I still carried a heaviness in my chest when I thought of home and Crawford. I wanted to call his mom and check on him, but I worried that the reminder that I was here and he wasn’t would make her sad. I didn’t want to add to what she was already dealing with. I would have my mom get me an update.
After showering, I reluctantly turned off the water and wrapped myself up in my monogrammed towels, one for my hair and one for my body, before reaching for my phone to check my texts.
