“Ugh, six? In the morning?” I whine, but then I laugh. “Sure. See you then.”
After she leaves, I scowl at my textbook. I’m tired of studying, so I grab my nail polish supplies and set to work to give my nails a new look. Since it’s now September, I’ll do autumnal colors. A different one for each nail.
With my supplies out, I sigh. Doing my nails is my stress reliever. I lose myself in the process—just what I need right now.
Chapter Ten
Six o’clock came faster than I’d hoped. I tossed and turned all night, though I’m not sure why. I’m usually like that right before a big test, but that’s not it this time. It could have been because I knew I had to get up early. I don’t know how many times I looked over at my clock on the nightstand and calculated how much time I had left to sleep. Yeah, that doesn’t help.
When my alarm finally buzzes, I roll out of bed with a groan and turn on the lamp by my bed so I can search for something to wear. I blink rapidly because I swear I saw something move across my floor, and it wasn’t small. I release a shiver, then race over to the light switch. Once the entire room is illuminated, I scan the floor. “Nothing.” I sigh with relief, figuring I was probably just hallucinating. I groan again and pick up a pair of my leggings that are only a little dirty.I’m exercising. I don’t need perfectly clean clothes for that.
In my top drawer, I find my one and only sports bra. I struggle to get it over my chest, and it’s not because my boobs are big. They’re not. It isn’t easy, but I finally get it on. Panting and sweating from the effort, I rationalize thatthatwas a pretty good workout, so why do I need to go for a walk?
Who am I kidding? Patsy would never agree to that.Next, I slip on an old ISU tee from my bottom drawer and glance at the clock. I’m late, so I grab my tennis shoes and a sweatshirt and head upstairs.
At the top of the stairs, I hesitate at the sight.
“Hey, Quinn,” says a hoarse Kat.
“Morning, uh, everyone.” I say everyone because all five of my roommates are standing in the kitchen slash dining room. “Are you all going for a walk?”
“Yep,” mutters Susanna. “We could all use some exercise around here.”
I smile. They’re doing this for me, and it’s the weirdest feeling. I swear my heart just jumped a little in my chest.
“It’ll be fun,” says a way-too-perky Patsy.
“Uh-huh,” Robbi grumbles. “Sure.”
I laugh and it feels good.
“Here,” Robbi says, handing me a bottle of water. “Let’s get this shit-show on the road.”
I laugh again but say nothing else.
We walk for thirty minutes, and it’s not easy. Patsy set a brutal pace. We’re all breathing heavy and sweating by the time we turn the corner onto Beedle Drive.
“You’re a bitch, Pats,” Susanna says, panting.
“I know.” She doesn’t appear to care if she’s a bitch or not.
Nearing the house, I’m taking a drink of water when I see movement to my left at the house across the street.
“Jack!” Kat yells.
When he looks up, he flashes a big smile and begins to walk toward us. “Beedle babes. You’re out early.”
Beedle babes?I scan the group. Yeah, I can see that.
“And who do we have here?”
I turn my head and meet Jack’s eyes. They’re nice. Blue with little crinkles in the corner. Crinkles that tell me he smiles a lot.
“Jack, this is our new roommate, Quinn.” Patsy turns to me. “Quinn, this is Jack Monroe, just one of the cute boys who live in that house.” She points to the dark green ranch house directly across the street from ours.
“Boys?” He puffs out his chest. “We’re manly men.” Then he laughs. Turning back to me, he smiles again, but it’s a little shy. He holds out his hand for a shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Quinn.”
“You too,” I say, shaking his hand like I’m running for mayor. Ugh, I have no game.
