“I have approximately three hours before I need to be changed and ready for my graduate presentation in the SUB,” said Vadika.
“That’s tonight?”
“That’s tonight,” she confirmed. “Don’t worry about it. I nearly forgot too.”
She’d nearly forgotten about her capstone thesis project that she’d been working on nonstop for the past two years?
I raised an eyebrow. “Who are you, and what have you done with Vadika?”
She only laughed.
“You’re seriously risking that?”
“It’s all done. It’s been done. I finished the final touches on my poster board a few nights ago and have my clothes in my car. Do you mind if I change in your room later?”
“Of course not.” I narrowed my eyes at her, still a little confused. “Seriously, where have you been?”
Not hearing me or maybe not wanting to, Vadika looked out across the field, where the band was starting to play, echoing.
“So, how are you liking your homecoming adventure?” Vadika nudged me.
Ryan leaned around my shoulder. “Lu caught a football.”
Vadika’s eyes widened, incredulous. “She did not.”
“She totally did.”
“Look at you, getting all collegiate. I’m so proud. Oh! Here they come out on the field!” Vadika screamed as the rest of the stadium clapped and listened to the music pounding over the speakers.
Ryan cheered as his teammates took the ball, raising his hands into the air. I pressed my lips together as I smiled and shook my head at the sight. He screamed out bad calls and clapped his hands together until it created a rumble and then a wave through the stands.
Perhaps Ryan had missed his calling as a professional cheerleader. A few others turned their heads—from the players waving at him to other spectators. All of it only made me laugh until my cheeks hurt. We both stood out in a crowd. Perhaps for different reasons, but all in all, the two of us were weirdos in our own right. I liked it.
I might be his after all.
But, stars, if that was the case, it turned out, he was going to be mine too.
20
The only parties I had ever been to were university-approved events in one of the campus buildings or the few in cramped college houses Vadika and I showed up to for approximately ten minutes before we got claustrophobic and sweaty, prompting a hasty retreat.
The post-homecoming party was not either of those kinds of parties.
For one thing, it looked like everyone was having a good time. Whether it be from the fact that some had pregamed all day or the fact that some alumni from the sports house had shown up, gifting better booze and a more confident air to the likelihood that the party wouldn’t be shut down. No one, after all, wanted to upset the people whose donations kept a close-knit university like Barnett running.
I couldn’t believe this was me. This was my life.
The feeling was one that I’d only ever had once before—right after I finally felt at peace in Barnett. I found my place in school and, most of all, in my coven. I had a strange sort of family after so long of feeling like that, too, was being slowly stripped away from me. Now, I felt it more than ever. The shock, the awe.
The joy.
Ryan was right there with me because he was kissing me in a hot, crowded room, and I didn’t care who saw. I felt alive. My insides were sparking like they were on fire, and I was ready to explode with delight and something even deeper dripping down my insides to the bottom of my center. Pulling away, I licked my lips to taste him.
Over the deep bass of the music, I could hear Ryan groan.
I kissed him once more, letting myself delve into the heady moment with the thick, gyrating motion of everyone around us.
Was this what life was supposed to be like? Was this what was waiting for me all along with a bright and glorious feeling that spread through me, just like Ryan’s smiles? My better next?
