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She gives a curt nod before turning back around.
Seth groans and turns towards Hunter. “Not to mention getting around campus is going to be a bi-bummer,” he quickly corrects as the elderly lady begins turning around once more.
“You’re off the crutches though,” I say while nodding at his foot, which is freshly bandaged. He’s been off crutches for the past week after his check up at the hospital. He still can’t run though, and he needs to keep walking to a minimum.
“Yeah, but I still hobble around. I can’t walk fast.”
“You’ll be fine,” I say while giving Seth a pat on his shoulder.
Seth catches my hand and presses his lips against my knuckles. “I do look forward to spending all my free time with you.”
I roll my eyes. “How is that any different?”
“Well, now you have to do all the work.” Seth waggles his eyebrows and my face flushes.
“Alright, Lucas, your turn,” says Hunter while leaning over and peeking at Lucas.
Lucas sighs and shakes his head. “I’m looking forward to being off this freaking bus.”
Hunter purses his lips. “Not exactly what I’m looking for there, Bro.”
Lucas runs his hands through his hair, giving another exasperated sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe my writing class. If I can even take it. Who knows at thisrate?”
I reach over and take Lucas’s hand, giving it a pat. “Don’t worry about that now. You’ll get it figured out. Besides, I’ll help you.”
Lucas forces a smile and slides his hand away from mine, turning his gaze towards the window. After talking for so long, I begin to recognize where we are. We’re almost in Aurora University. The bus should stop aboutfive-minutewalk from our apartment, which made this commute nearly perfect.
If only it didn’t take nearly two hours from the airport.
I perk up when I see our neighborhood coming into view. We pass by the running store and The Coffee Shop, which I see is already busy with returning college students. The bus continues straight until it reaches a crosswalk with a bus sign. The doors open and we grab our suitcases and bags shoved above us before shuffling out into the humid air.
I inhale deeply. “Home sweet home,” I say while dragging my suitcase over the cement.
“Sure,” grumbles Lucas.
Hunter and Seth follow behind as I lead the way home, stopping when I see someone sitting on the steps leading upstairs. My eyes widen. Hunter and Lucas brush past me, busy talking amongst themselves about something I vaguely hear.
“What is it?” Seth asks, stopping next to me.
I shake my head, not believing my eyes. Well, it actually makes sense. I haven’t been home since the winter holidays. And I even cut that short in order to go skiing with the bros. I decided to go to Paris for the summer.
I should have expected this.
The woman on the stairs rises as Hunter and Lucas stop in front of her.
“Hey, are you lost?” Lucas asks.
“Do you need directions?”asks Hunter.
The woman turns towards me, her green eyes wide as she takes a step towards me. “Rachel?” She calls.
I grimace and stride briskly towards her, wishing she had called me before. Although, knowing her, that would never fly. She is her own person. Always was and always will be.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. How am I going to explain the bros to her?
“Mom?” I hear Lucas, Hunter, and Seth say in unison.
Mom runs towards me, throwing her arms around my neck and giving me a tight hug. “I thought I missed you. I know you’re busy these days.” She pulls away from me, looking me over. “Well, it looks like you’ve been taking care of yourself.” She pushes my hair away from my face. “I’m so excited to finally meet your roommates. Maybe after you unpackwecan all go for dinner?”
