“Well, playing at college level is probably way different than what you were used to in high school.”
I sigh quietly. “Yeah.”
She goes back to studying, and I force myself to get back to work. My goal is to have every assignment for all my classes in my planner by the end of the day, along with dates for whenI need to start projects. On top of that, I need to find time to actually study. My phone pings, and I look down at it and see Peter, my friend from high school, is texting me. I take a moment to read his text. He’s texted me several times this week to see how things are going, but I haven’t had a chance to meet up with him. Things have been too crazy busy.
Peter-are you avoiding me?
I grimace and send back a quick text.
Me-no I’ve just been really busy
Peter-okay
Peter-let’s meet up soon
Me-okay
I’m not really sure when, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes. I go back to my work. Evie texts me about an hour before the game.
Evie-You ready to meet up?
I groan when I realize it’s already that time.
Me-Yes. I’ll be there soon.
We’d agreed to meeting at the coffee shop, since she gets off now. I’m already wearing my jean shorts, so I pull on Zane’s jersey, a Christmas gift he gave me his freshman year, and put my hair into a ponytail. I slip on my flip flops and grab my phone and wallet. “I’m heading to the game; I’ll see you later,” I call out to Ashley, but she merely lifts a hand and waves. I’m not really sure if she’s wavingatme or waving at me to go away. With a grin, I close the door and head down the hallway. Evie’s just getting off work when I get there.
“Are you ready for your first game as a college student?” she asks, sporting Zane’s jersey.
“Yes!”
“I’m going to warn you; it’s crazy.”
I grin. “I can’t wait.”
We join the masses of students walking over to the football stadium. It takes a little while to get through the line and security, but then we’re finally in. Evie’s not wrong; it is absolutely crazy! “Reid said he’d meet us over here!” Evie shouts to me over the noise.
I follow her through the maze of students until we see Reid. “You ready?” he asks when we get close.
“We’ll let you lead since you’re so tall,” Evie tells him.
“Stay close.”
I heard his words, but I didn’t anticipate the craziness. There are literally people everywhere. I’d been to a few of Zane’s games before but never the first game of the season. This is next level. We follow right on Reid’s heels and finally get to our seats. “Whew,” Evie says, dropping into her seat. “That always wears me out.”
I take the seat next to her, leaving Reid to take the one next to me. “You’re not kidding. Woo. I'm already sweating.” I fan myself, wondering how hot it’s going to get this afternoon. I turn to Reid. “It’s days like this that I’m thankful basketball is an indoor sport.” He nods but doesn’t smile. He looks around, his eyes scanning the area. “Hey.” I wait for his eyes to meet mine. “Everything’s good; there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Just keeping an eye out.” I study him a moment as he looks over the crowd again.
“Reid.” I wait for him to turn back and give me his full attention. “Did something new happen?”
“No. I’m just on the lookout. The last few times we’ve had run-ins, they happened at games.”
I take that in. “Okay. Well, can you still enjoy the game?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
I turn to Evie, on my other side. “Is Zane nervous for today?”
