AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Isabelle chewed on a fingernail. “Maybe something will come up really soon. People drop out all the time.”
“I don’t know why people think that’s encouraging,” I joked lamely.
“You’re right, it’s depressing. Let’s talk about stuff you can control.” Isabelle drummed her fingers on her desk and searched for a neutral topic. “Are you going for any extracurriculars?”
“I don’t know…I have to work part-time. I used to always try out for the cheerleading squad in high school, but I never made the cut,” I confessed.
“So, you’re going to try out here?” Isabelle asked.
“Yeah, I mean, I might as well. I need to have some extracurriculars, and I love to dance.”
“Are you good at ice skating?” Isabelle wondered.
I’d already told her about Asher and his last-minute school change. “Decent enough, why?”
“If you don’t make the cheerleading squad, you could go for the Ice Girl team. HHU has one.” Isabelle raised her eyebrow. “Same school spirit required, just on skates.”
“That’s a good idea,” I laughed. I’d never even thought about becoming an Ice Girl instead of a cheerleader. Not every team had them. They came on at intervals to sweep the ice and rile up the crowd.
“And what about you?”
“I’m a journalism major. I’m going to be trying my best to get onto theHarbor Herald, as soon as I can,” Isabelle said.
“I’ll be watching out for your byline.”
A knock interrupted us, and Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Just give me about three years to work my way up to actually getting a story in the paper. Don’t get up, it’s just my cousin.” Shuffling over to the door, she opened it dramatically. “What is it?”
“Now, is that any way to say hi to your cousin?” a deep voice boomed into the room.
I twisted around to see who the newcomer was. A tall guy filled the doorway, with sandy-blond hair and dimple in his cheek that made him seem like he’d stepped out of a catalog for yacht chic. He appeared rich and carefree.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.” He turned a million-watt smile on me and stuck out a hand. “I’m Warner. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand, which was absolutely massive, and felt awkward in my oversized plaid shirt and ripped jeans, my long hair twisted into a bun and perched on top of my head like a pompom.
He was vaguely familiar, and it took me a moment to realize. “You’re Warner James, right? The football player.” I blushed at the enthusiasm in my tone.
He grinned, clearly enjoying being recognized. “The one and only. It’s always great to meet football fans.” His hand was still holding mine.
“She’s not a football fan, she just wants to be a cheerleader,” Isabelle teased me, rolling her eyes at the sight of her cousin holding my hand.
“Is that right? Well, you’ve certainly got the looks down,” Warner said.
I gave him a quick smile and took my hand from his. Standing here just holding it felt uncomfortable as hell.
“I’ve told you not to hit on my friends enough times, Warner, for that to have sunk through evenyourthick skull,” Isabelle snapped and glared at her cousin.
I’m her friend already?A warm feeling kindled in my hollow chest, carved out by the terrible day I’d had.
“I’m not hitting on anyone, unless she’s into it, and then I definitely am,” Warner replied smoothly.
I flushed, not sure what to say.
A rap on the door saved me from having to answer.
Lily poked her head into the crowded room. “Oops! I’m not interrupting, am I?” She looked at me and within seconds could read my expression. “Weren’t we late for that thing?”
I needed air to breathe, and Warner’s huge, burly presence was making me sweat. A side effect of having had little to nointeraction with the opposite sex, except for my brother and his friends, was that I had no chill. There was no aloof coolness about me when I was given a compliment or hit on. I wasn’t capable of it. Instead, my face heated, and I stammered until I could run away and think about it.
