My phone buzzed, and I gripped it tightly, hoping to see Grey’s name scroll across my screen.
Kenna: Did you just get out of English Lit? Haven’t seen you in a few days. Getting food in the quad if you want to join.
Disappointment leaked from my fractured heart. A small part of me thought it was going to be Grey apologizing and begging for forgiveness.
A girl could dream, right?
I sent a quick text back.
Me: Yes, I’m starving. See you in five.
My English Lit class was in the center of campus, a two-minute power walk from the quad. The large grassy hills were overrun with students and faculty members enjoying the unusually warm fall day.
“Heads up!” someone hollered to my left. I ducked, covering my head as a football soared past, inches from my face. The ball bounced, coming to rest by a group of girls studying on a blanket. A scrawny freshman boy ran over, uttering a half-hearted apology, and chucked the ball at his friends with zero regard for anyone else around them.
I did a quick once-over of the tables in the middle of the quad and spotted Kenna talking to a girl with long blonde hair. She saw me at the same time and waved me over, making room beside her. “Lyra, you remember Maura, right?”
“Yes, good to see you again.” I smiled, dropping my backpack to the ground and slumping into the seat next to Kenna. Maura had gone to high school with us and was one of the popular girls.
My stomach growled at the ham and cheese sandwich sitting on the table. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. My stomach rumbled louder as if to tell me it couldn’t remember, either.
“Here, take it.” Kenna slid the sandwich over to me. “My eyes were bigger than my stomach, and I can hear yours from over here.”
“Thanks,” I said around a mouthful. Crumbs fell all over my shirt and lap.
My phone buzzed.
Grey: Found something important. Get here now.
The asshole couldn’t even manage a please or thank you. I turned my phone over on the table and continued to eat my sandwich. The bastard could wait. Especially after how things ended last night. I was not going to just run right back to him.
My phone vibrated again and again, shaking the entire table.
Persistent prick.
“You need to get that?” Kenna asked, eyeing my phone.
“Nope,” I said cheerfully, turning it off and dropping it into my backpack.
The two girls shared a look, but neither pressed the issue.
“So, what are we doing tonight?” I asked, desperate to change the subject.
“A group of us are going downtown to the bars tonight if you guys wanna join?” Maura offered.
I nodded enthusiastically.
“Count us in.” I deserved a night with no spirits, no death, and most importantly no demons.
It was almost midnight, and all I wanted was a slice of pizza, but instead, I was trying to suck down my fifth cranberry vodka.
“Those very nice guys over there bought us these,” Kenna shouted over the music, pointing toward a rowdy group of guys. Clear liquid filled the glass, and I cringed as she shoved one into my hand. A platinum blonde girl whose name I’d alreadyforgotten raised her shot in the air, and we all followed suit before downing the contents.
Oh god, it was gin.Who the fuck buys someone a shot of gin?
I gagged, and my eyes watered. I clamped my hand over my mouth in case the contents of my stomach decided to evacuate. Everyone else seemed to have a similar experience. The girl next to me dry heaved but managed to keep from yakking all over the floor. I moved backward, out of the splash zone, just in case.
I took a long sip of my drink, trying to wash away the rancid taste lingering on my tongue. I had come to the bars to forget about Grey, and yet all I could think about was him. My phone stayed glued to my hand, and I kept checking it for a text or call that never came.
