Chapter Twenty-One
Needing to escape everythingand everyone, I found the quietest corner in the school courtyard.Funnily enough, it was behind the big, dead tree that I used to always hide behind before I met the guys.I tucked myself behind it, using one of the foldable chairs I temporarily borrowed from a nearby booth.As soon as I sat down, I sighed and leaned back, letting my head rest against the tree.
The air smelled of damp soil.The sounds of the March Madness Festival were distant here.This was the first still moment I had all day.I just wanted to breathe without the weight of everything pressing down on me.
The grass crunched nearby, drawing me out of my wandering head.
“Figures I’d find you here,” Bryan said.His voice was easy, a low rumble that always sounded like he knew more than he let on.
I looked over my shoulder.“You stalking me now?”
“Please.I was hiding first,” he said, stepping into the shade beside me.He glanced around before disappearing briefly and returning with his own chair.He set it up beside me and sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him.He hooked his arm through mine and laced our fingers together.My hand warmed instantly, making me realize I was colder than I thought.
“Needed a break too?”I asked.
“Surprised?”He raised an eyebrow.
I smiled.Bryan wasn’t much of a people person.As soon as there were too many people, he was trying to find a place to hide until it was over.
He chuckled.“Too many people, too much noise.I gave up pretending to socialize and care about every single charity in existence here about twenty minutes ago.”
“That’s new for you,” I teased.“You usually love being around people.Especially when you can buy them snacks.”
“Yeah, well, even generosity has its limits,” he said with a faint smirk.“I’ve already made a handful of donations, even more purchases, and listened to Toby talk about ring toss physics for ten minutes, acting like he isn’t struggling in his physics class.”
I laughed.“That’s impressive.More than I have it in me, frankly.”
Bryan’s expression softened.“You have a lot more patience in people than anyone I know.”
My cheeks reddened, and I glanced away, not sure what to say.Eventually, I relaxed enough to lean against him and enjoy the quiet moment.That was what I liked about the guys.With Bryan and Justin, I was allowed to just sit in silence and enjoy.Toby loved chaos and sound, making our interactions full of excitement and fun.Seth was a nice in between, happy with either.Paxon liked excitement too but also had his moments of relaxation.I didn’t want to think about him too much though.
The wind moved through the branches above us, and I was close to dozing off when Bryan finally spoke again.His tone shifted, quieter.“I got an early admission application result back.”
I stayed curled against him, knowing it would be easier for him to keep talking if he didn’t have to look at me and scrutinize my reaction.“Which college?”
“Northwestern.”
“Illinois?”I asked softly.
He cleared his throat.“Yeah.My parents’ dream school.Top of their list since they knew they were expecting me.”
“Oh.”
He took a deep breath and then sighed.I could feel his body shift as his chest expanded.
