But in my defense, my college, Bristol Bay University, is in the quaint ocean side college town of Bristol Bay, where I grew up and where my parents first met.
I’ve always dreamed of attending this school, even as a small child. I loved listening to stories from my father about his alma mater and memories of meeting my mom at the ice rink. It may seem weird, but I feel closer to them now that I’m a student myself.
I just wish my request for housing hadn’t been denied, because I would have loved to stay in the same dorm my mom or dad lived in. However, there were too many requests and not enough rooms. Anyone who lived within a thirty-mile radius of the college had to commute.
So, here we are. I’m a college student living with my stepmother, still in a tiny, dusty room in the attic and payingrent for the room via my soul—at least it feels that way sometimes.
“You know, Ella, people go to college to get a jobafterschool, but you already have a job. So, really, it’s just stupid that you are even going to college.” She puckers her lips and takes a sip of her large smoothie. “You’re already skipping some steps. You are so lucky, you know.”
There’s that word.Lucky.
I sure don’t feel lucky, at least not now, with the sun scorching my skin, and my body exhausted from the three hours of sleep I could fit in last night.
I just shrug, because there’s no use in arguing with Vienna, especially when she holds housing and tuition money over me.
At least, I have that, plus the views and memories of my childhood house, just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean.
Maybe I am lucky. I just need to remember that.
Chapter Two
Ella
I slide into my seat in the lecture hall, joining forty of my classmates for a lecture on Intro to Biology.
“Where were you?” my friend, Cami, loudly whispers as I open my textbook. She’s the only friend I have here so far. If you can even count her since we went to high school together, and we were already friends.
“Good morning, class,” my professor starts.
I turn to Cami, where she’s gawking at me.
“What?” I whisper back. “I’m not even late.”
As the words stumble out of my mouth, the door of the classroom opens, and three jocks arrive with their matching navy-blue hooded hockey sweatshirts and sweats on.
“I’m not even the last one in the class.” I point to the three guys settling into the only seats available right in front.
“I’m just worried about you. You’re rarely late, and you look terrible.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter under my breath.
My eyes unwillingly gaze over to the three latecomers and drifts to the one in the middle of the pack with the backward baseball cap.
Dallas Dawes.
He’s the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome with the perfect level of scruff on his face. I’m not sure how it’s humanly possible to consistently rock the five o’clock shadow, but he does effortlessly.
It’s torture, mostly for me.
I don’t know much about him, especially since we’ve never conversed before. I doubt he knows I even exist. He’s extremely popular, even in his second year at Bristol Bay University, or commonly known as BBU.
He’s the star right winger for the hockey team, and on track to be Captain next year as a junior. His stats are impressive, along with his stick handling skills.
I would know, too, because I watch him play a lot. You know, in a non-creepy way.
Two months ago, the BBU ice arena on campus mysteriously burned down. It was hot outside, but the flames coming from the rink made it even hotter. The fire department couldn’t save the building in time, but luckily, no one was hurt in the incident.
However, both the men’s and women’s hockey teams had to relocate for the season. Guess which team moved to the ice rink I work at?
