Page 8 of His Reckless Freshman

It’s not like they need me.

And sure, I enjoy a good quiz night, but not when I’m playing fifth wheel, and not when I know this was just a sympathy invite because Caroline’s even more worried about me now that Julia’s moved out.

Apparently, I’m getting a new roommate this weekend, but I don’t even want to think about that right now.

What if she’s horrible?

What if we can’t stand each other?

What if she makes everything a million times worse?

I can’t remember her name. The RA told me this morning, but I’ve already forgotten.

Ugh. Whatever.

I just want to go. I’ve got four nights of the room to myself, and I shouldn’t be sitting here as an add-on. I should be back at my dorm moping over a good movie or something.

“Hey, I might take off.”

“What?” Caroline whips her head around to look at me. “Why?”

“I, uh… I’ve got some studying I want to do and… you know. I don’t want to fall behind.”

Caroline’s face bunches. “But the quiz still has five rounds to go. We need you.”

No, you don’t.

Instead of laughing at the ridiculous comment, I force a closed-mouth smile, then murmur, “I’m sorry. But let me know how it goes, okay? Text me after?”

Caroline’s frown gets a little deeper, maybe sadder? I can’t tell, but I look away from it, grabbing my bag.

“Wait, you can’t walk home in the dark by yourself.”

“I’m going to catch an Uber.” I start digging out my phone, grunting when I can’t find the damn thing. Seriously, this bag is like a vortex.

“Well, maybe I should go with you,” Caroline says.

“Cherry Girl,” Casey softly murmurs, almost like a quiet reprimand. “Just let her go. She’ll be fine. You can track her on your phone.”

See. Even he wants me to go. They don’t need me. I’m such an add-on, it’s almost embarrassing.

“I’ll call you if I need you.” My fingers finally wrap around my phone and I hold it up to her, making sure my smile is bright.

“Only if you’re sure.” Caroline’s words get lost as the quizmaster starts up Round Four.

“Okay, well, I’ll see you guys.” I wave at them, shuffling away from the table.

I can feel Caroline’s eyes on me and glance back to smile at her again before slipping out the door. The other three are hunched in together, discussing the first question while Caroline gives me a sad smile. Then Lani tugs her sleeve, and she’s forced to write down an answer. Hopefully it’s the right one.

Slipping out into the chilly night air, I pull my denim jacket a little tighter around my body. It’s going to be time to break out the winter coats soon enough. It’s only October, but winter will be here before we know it.

Tucking myself against the side of the building, I order an Uber. I’m only about a twenty-minute walk from Buckley Hall, but I don’t want to upset Caroline, and to be honest, walking around town in the dark by myself isn’t that appealing anyway. Knowing me, I’d get lost, and I seriously suck at reading maps, even if there is a blue dot to follow, and ugh…

Biting my lips together, I think about how safe and easy it was to live at home. I was born and raised in the same town, in the same house. I went to one church, one school. My parents wanted me to have a Christian education, so I went to a private school that started at kindergarten and went all the way through twelfth grade. Everything about my upbringing was safe and small. The only reason my parents agreed to let me come to Nolan U was because Caroline was here, and even then, they were dubious about it.

Although Caroline had a very similar upbringing to mine, her parents are slightly more liberal, and Mom thinks Caroline has been too wild since getting to college. The fact that she has a boyfriend who she obviously sleeps with is kind of scandalous in my parents’ eyes, and I’m sure they’re worried she’ll wear off on me.

But it’s highly unlikely.