I’m out of the shower in record time, wrap a towel around myself and yank open drawers in my room, grab the first outfit that doesn’t look completely wrinkled and pull it on before heading down again.
“Coming!” I call, trying to get earrings in as I move.
Noah’s sitting sideways on one of the bar stools, one leg bouncing nonstop while his fingers tap against the counter. “Come on, we’re late,” he says, already grabbing his keys. “I packed you breakfast, so get in the car.”
I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder, laughing despite myself. Because for someone who claims my lateness is going to be the death of him, he still makes sure I don’t leave the house hungry.
I slide into the passenger seat just as Noah locks up the house. And after he starts the engine, I reach into his bag.
“You made me a breakfast bagel?” I gasp, opening the wrapper to reveal something that looks a whole lot like heaven. “I must be special.”
“This is literally the only thing I know how to make.”
“That’s true,” I say with my mouth pretty much full, “but I still like to think I’m special.”
He shakes his head as he smiles, gaze focused on the road as our little town Baylin passes by.
We pull into the college parking lot just barely on time. The campus is bigger than it looks from the road, old stone buildings and worn walkways already crowded with students rushing between classes.
Noah parks and I’m out of the car immediately. I lean back in through the open window. “I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”
“See you at lunch,” he says, fumbling with his seatbelt.
The second my feet hit the pavement, I pick up the pace, because my class is on the complete opposite side of campus. Which makes me believe fate has some twisted sense of humour. Or it’s just bad karma, I don't know.
I cut across the walkway, trying to look casual. I weave through clusters of students, muttering quick apologies. I sidestep and nearly lose my balance when my shoe catches the curb. I try to recover and run straight into someone. “Oh—shit, sorry.”
I look up to meet Ryan Drayton’s green eyes.
His brown hair is slightly messy, a couple curls falling across his forehead. He’s standing way too relaxed, hands in his pockets, completely unfaced. Like I didn’t just body-check him. Which shouldn’t be that surprising, considering how tall and athletic he is. I’m pretty sure I just bounced off him like a leafhitting a brick wall. A grin appears on his face when he notices my stressed face.
“Madelyn Hazel Gracelyn,” he teases, his morning voice still a little rough, like these are the first words he speaks since waking up. “Late again?”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I straighten, smoothing my sleeve with my hand. “I’m not lateallthe time.”
He lets out a quiet snort, which makes me look up and cross my arms. “Maybe I just really enjoy running across campus.”
“Mhm.”
I exhale, but there’s no real heat behind it. Ryan’s been Noah’s best friend forever. Practically lived at our house growing up, so I know him well enough to feel at ease with him.
Ryan nods toward the path behind me. “You should probably go. Your class is still on the other side of campus.”
No shit, Sherlock.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I reply sarcastically, already brushing past him. And when I’m a few steps away, his voice follows. “Hey, Maddy?”
I turn back and he tilts his head, a cheeky smile on his face. “Try not to be late.” He winks.
“Funny.” I shake my head and hurry toward class, resisting the urge to flip him off over my shoulder.
The bell rings just as I slip through the classroom door.
“Yes,” I mutter under my breath. “Just in time.”
“That was a close one, Miss Gracelyn.”
I look up to find my teacher, Sophie, watching me with an amused smile, glasses perched on her nose, cardigan buttoned neatly and that calm energy like that one favourite aunt always has.
