“Ricci,” I say, calling him by his last name.He’s nice-looking, and he knows it.Being a star hockey player for the university doesn’t seem to hurt his dating life, either.He’s gotplayerwritten all over his smug face.
Why he wants to sit beside me is beyond comprehension.There are plenty of open seats in the auditorium.I retrieve my laptop from my backpack and power it up.
“Fun weekend?”he asks, and I swear he’s only asking so that he can tell me all about his weekend.
“Yeah, it was great.”I don’t elaborate.My roommate, Quinn, and I don’t exactly get along, and she likes to have boys over, which means I’m pretty much kicked out of the room when they’re doing the no-pants dance.
Which seems to be every weekend and every chance that she gets to hook up with a guy.
The freshman requirement to live on campus in the dorms with a sophomore is the worst idea imaginable.Who thought it was a good idea?Some idiot who hadn’t lived on campus in several decades.
“You should come to one of our parties,” Luca says.
Is he actually inviting me to a party?
Why?
What’s his motive, because I know he’s not the least bit interested in me?In fact, if I didn’t know any better, the reason he sits right beside me is to copy my notes during class.I’m pretty sure that’s the only reason he sits next to me.
I’m a really good note-taker.
“I’ll think about it,” I say.
I smile politely and am relieved when our teacher enters the auditorium and class begins.
Luca seems like a decent guy, but his priorities are hockey, girls, and partying.I’m not sure if that’s the exact order; he could put girls or partying first, but he’s a decent hockey player, from what I’ve heard around campus.I’ve never been to one of their games, and I don’t plan on showing up, either.
The minute class is over, I bundle back up into my hat, gloves, and oversized jacket.“Ready to brave the elements?”Luca asks.He’s got on a black wool coat that doesn’t look particularly warm.
“I should be asking you that,” I say, glancing at him.
He gives me a wry grin, affixes a beanie to his head to keep warm, and slides his hands into his pockets.“I’m a snow owl,” he says.“The cold doesn’t bother me.”
I snort under my breath.“Yeah, right,” I mutter, unconvinced.He’s right at my side, walking with me outside and across the quad to our next class.I don’t have to cross any slushy streets at least, so there’s little chance of slipping and falling, like earlier.
The walkway has been cleared, and there’s salt that is finally melting some of the path.His breath is visible as he walks beside me, but he doesn’t so much as shiver.
I’m hurrying outside, wanting to get out of the frigid weather.“Have a good day,” he says as I head for the building.
“You too,” I shout over my shoulder and grab the door handle.
He doesn’t have class in the Fitzroy building but always walks with me to my next class.I’ve always assumed it’s because he’s in the Cooper building just past Fitzroy.I glance back through the glass windows and see him turning around, heading back in the direction where we just came from.
Did he forget something?
“Tell me if this is weird,” I say to Kensley.We’re both freshmen and have two classes together.We grab lunch at the on-campus deli and snag a table before it gets too crowded.
“Do tell,” Kensley says, intrigued.
“Luca Ricci has been walking me to class for the past two weeks.”
“What?”Kensley’s eyes widen.“The center forward for Evergreen University.That’s a little weird.”
I shoot her a look.“That’s not the weird part.”
She smirks.“Continue.”
“I thought he had class in the Cooper Building since he’s been walking me to Fitzroy, but this morning, I saw him turn back around and head in the opposite direction.”
