“I’m home,” I say, in case she didn’t see my presence or hear me enter.
She huffs, but it’s not sexy in the slightest.It’s clearly annoyance with me interrupting her.“You again,” she mutters.
“Yeah, me again.”I’ve tried giving the sophomore her space, been polite, even tried being cordial, but I’m done making friends with a girl who wants nothing to do with me.It’s my room, too, and just because she has a guy over doesn’t mean I have to be hanging out in the hallway, again, until she’s done.
“Can’t you, like, get out for a while?Give us some privacy.”
“How about you go back to his place?”I say and jab my thumb toward the door.I reach for my headphones, already knowing she has zero desire to leave.
My phone buzzes with a text; it’s an unfamiliar number.I open the message, seeing it’s from Nova and it’s an invitation to a party next weekend.I don’t respond right away.I barely know the girl, and I’m not really into the party scene.
Of course, attending the party means that I’ll have a chance to see Luca again, which just makes me feel even more conflicted.I have feelings for him; they’re obviously growing into something that I’d rather not experience, considering who he is—one of Evergreen’s top hockey players.
Why should that matter?Because he can get any girl he wants, and though he might think he wants me, I’m not sure if he does.Because he’ll grow bored and tired with me if that’s the case.We have nothing in common.
I hate sports.
He lives and breathes hockey.
His friends are all hockey players.It’s his life.His father is probably a huge hockey fan and got him interested in the sport.
My phone buzzes again, another text message.
Nova: Luca won’t be at the party.We’re celebrating my 18th birthday, girls-only sleepover.I hope that’s not a problem.
Me: I’ll be there.
I barely know the girl, but she’s practically a sister to Luca and I don’t have many friends on campus.Although technically, Nova doesn’t even go to this school.
I exhale and shut my eyes, rubbing at my temples.
Spending time with Nova is a far better option that hanging out with Quinn.Not that my roommate and I ever hang out together.If being forced to share a room counts, that’s the most we’ve done.
I ace my Econ exam thanks to Luca spending hours with me, explaining everything better than our professor.He’s walking me to my next class, a faint smile on his lips, like he’s got something exciting to share.
“You’re happy,” I say, glancing at him.Is it because the weekend is almost here?I’m looking forward to not having classes for two days.“Any special reason?”I ask.He seems almost gleeful.
“Just glad you passed your exam.”
It feels like it’s more than that, but I don’t push.“I suppose it’s because I have a good teacher.”
“You'd better mean me,” Luca says, nudging me as we walk together outside.“Are you free tomorrow to hang out?”
“I can’t.I have plans.Nova invited me to her birthday party on Friday night.Do you have any gift suggestions?”
“Aside from not going?”Luca mutters, his brow furrowing and his nostrils flaring.
I stop walking and turn to face him.“Are you two not getting along?”It’s only been a couple of days since the three of us hung out, but maybe something happened between them.
He scratches the back of his neck.It’s an awkward gesture, and he seems uncomfortable answering.“I just think you’d have more fun here on campus this weekend.”
“I already told her I’m going.I’m not going to disappoint her.”Besides, it’s not as though I have other plans, and it’d be good to get some time away from Quinn.
“You do know it’s a sleepover, with a bunch of high school girls.”
“You make it sound scandalous.She’s turning eighteen.I’m eighteen,” I say, gesturing at myself.“There won’t even be any boys staying over, so if you’re worried about her, relax.”
“Relax,” he grumbles through gritted teeth.
