Except Troy who will make sure you get to school safe.
Today, we’re going over urban resilience planning—how cities adapt to climate change, how infrastructure can withstand disasters. I soak it all in as much as I can. Because focusing in school is my way forward.
My way out.
So I take ruthless, detailed notes, ask questions, stay after to clarify points with my professor.
Because even though I have difficulty concentrating sometimes, Irefuseto fail. By the time I head toward the quad, my brain is buzzing with everything I need to get done before Thursday’s meeting with Troy. It’s a slow start to the semester with my other classes, so I can focus more on the future innovators project than I thought.
I barely have time to react before Lacey links her arm through mine, practically dragging me toward their table in the cafeteria.
Chloe and Brianna are already seated, midway through dissecting last night’s drama over iced coffees and overpriced salads. I pull out my apple from home.
“Look at you, being social, we barely see you anymore,” Chloe teases as I slide into a chair.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, grabbing half of Lacey’s sandwich before she can stop me.
Lacey smirks knowingly. “Okay, but for real. How was your morning? You looked stressed when you got out ofthatcar.”
I freeze mid-bite. Chloe and Brianna’s heads snap up.
“Wait. What car?” Brianna asks.
Lacey grins, way too pleased with herself. “Oh, just the one Troy Hawkins was driving.”
Chloe and Brianna’s eyes widen in unison.
“Troy Hawkins?” Chloe repeats, like she misheard.
“Our Troy Hawkins?” Brianna adds, already looking way too intrigued.
“He’s not our anything,” I correct. “He’s just giving me rides to school.”
Lacey gasps. “Oh my god. He’s driving you? In his car?”
“Yes,” I say, already wishing she hadn’t brought this up. “Thanks tosomeonegiving him my address without permission. It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s literallythebiggest deal,” Chloe argues, flopping back dramatically.
Brianna, meanwhile, looks like she either wants to eat him or me. I’m not entirely sure which option is more horrifying.
“I’m sorry, Delilah,” she says, not sounding sorry at all. “We couldn’t help it. He was even hotter in person—and so sweet! Said he needed it to ‘help you out.’” She sighs dreamily, twirling a piece of hair around her finger. “Like, Iknewhe was hot, but Friday night? Jesus Christ. If I’d realized he wasthathot, I might’ve gone for him instead of Freddie.”
“You wereobsessedwith Freddie,” Lacey reminds her. “You still are.”
“Okay, but now I see the error of my ways,” Brianna says, waving that off with a flick of her wrist.
I roll my eyes and try to subtly ask the thing that’s been bugging me ever since this morning.
“So, did you...bang him?” I instantly regret using her terminology, but the words are out before I can reel them back.
She scoffs. “Iwish. He wasn’t interested. Once he had your address, he disappeared. It’s fine though. I got with Big Sexy Deano instead.”
“Deano?” My stomach twists. “The guy I was with last week?”
“Relax,” she says, swatting a hand in the air. “You didn’t even sleep with him. You said you fell asleep spooning. He was alright though—a veryimpressiveman.” She waggles her brows and Chloe dissolves into giggles.
For the record, from my memory, he really wasn’t that impressive. But also, there’s something deeply unsettling about comparing notes on penis size with Brianna. Girl code feels like it’s been set on fire.
