Page 24 of Cheap Shot

It took me less than a week on campus to spot him on the practice field playing touch football with a group of guys. Sophie marched up to them and asked if we could join. That night, Adam asked me on a date, and the rest was history. An exciting whirlwind of the high of first love and independence.

I was so head over heels for him that I thought he was the one. I pictured us being college sweethearts, and we discussed getting married as soon as we graduated. He was everything I could have ever dreamed of. Smart, driven, charming, and so ridiculously good-looking. He often caught me staring, mesmerized that someone as handsome as him could be attracted to me.

Part of me wondered if I would still feel like that. If things had been different. If that night never happened.

I sat up and pushed away those thoughts. No good could come from them.

Was I desperate enough to call my brother? He was popular and probably knew about events and parties going on each night. I didn’t necessarily need to go with him, but if I knew where people were going to be, then I could go on my own. No. He would ask me who I was going with, and I was a terrible liar. He’d insist on coming with me, then we’d get mobbed by his fan club. Annoyance bubbled in me just thinking about it.

I could ask Reid. He was just as likely to know and wouldn’t demand I had a babysitter.

My phone sat on my desk, daring me to do it.

This is the kind of thing a friend asked about. Hey, what’s going on tonight? Hear of anything going on? Where do friendless losers find equally lost souls?

Okay, maybe not the last one. Isolation was having a negative impact on my already shaky mental health.

Before I lost the nerve, I reached over, snatched my phone, and typed out a message.

Haley: Hey Reid

I stared at the screen, second-guessing my word choice. I didn’t ask a question or give him any reason to reply. Before I could type out anything else, his reply appeared.

Reid: Hi Haley. How are you?

Was he asking to see if I was still close to having a mental breakdown? The answer was yes, but for different reasons. Today was a new day with new worries and things to stress over.

Haley: Honestly? I’m bored.

Haley: I don’t know how to make friends

Reid: I’m not sure I’m the best person to help with that. I haven’t had to try since Mini Mite.

A teeny tiny version of him popped into my head, and I couldn’t help but smile. I had a feeling he was an adorable child.

Haley: Lucky you. Us regular folk don’t have that luxury

Reid: What about your roommate?

Haley: She invited me to that party. Haven’t really seen her since.

That party. Flashes of our kiss went through my mind, and I smiled to myself. Was he thinking about it too? That was the best first kiss I’d ever had, and knowing it wouldn’t happen again was too depressing to think about.

I never told Emery why I’d left early, and she’d never asked. Should I take that personally? She did promise me she wouldn’t leave me alone, then abandoned me the first chance she got, and now was apparently avoiding me. I thought we got along fine, but maybe I misread the situation.

Reid: No luck with people in your dorm?

I looked up to my open door and snapped a picture before sending it to him.

Haley: I’ve had this open for at least an hour and no luck. I’m out of ideas. I’ve literally tried everything.

I smiled at my phone hoping he picked up on my sarcasm.

Reid: Whoa. Desperate times

I giggled. He understood.

Reid: Do you want to come over?