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There’s a crowd around Peyton’s usual table when I approach it and she immediately shoos one of the guys away. “Make room for Skyler.” Her sleek blonde strands are pushed back by a headband that matches a tweed mini dress over a blouse. She looks like a modern day Cher from Clueless, and I swear only she could make it work. I sit next to her as everyone continues to talk. “So, you coming?” I hear from my other side and I turn to see a guy with some Greek letters scattered across his t-shirt and a smile, which is probably a lethal combination for most girls.
“Sorry? Coming where?”
“To our party this weekend. Homecoming weekend is always huge. I hate that it’s so late this year but should still be pretty lit.” He smiles, revealing two deep dimples underneath a smattering of stubble and a perfect grin. “I’m Dave.”
“Skyler.” I give him a small smile because even though I have a boyfriend, and I have enough awareness to know that this guy is definitely trying to flirt with me, I’m polite.
“I know. Peyton’s cute Italian friend.” He winks.
I roll my eyes at my claim to fame. “Is that my tagline?”
“No, but Peyton doesn’t have many girl friends.”
I turn to look at her as she commands the table of men like they’re her loyal subjects. I’m just about to answer when the air shifts around me. My thighs push together on their own accord, a shiver snakes down my spine even though there isn’t a breeze and my throat suddenly becomes dry.
I feel him before I even see him. I crane my neck to look behind me and I see Aidan sitting a table over his eyes trained on me despite the sunglasses over his eyes. I swallow and my eyes dart around the quad looking for anyone that may be paying attention to the potential interaction. “Dave, I actually left something in my last class. Sorry.” I start to stand and he stands with me.
“I could walk with you? I have to hit the library anyway.” And for a moment, I wonder what would have happened if I had never met Aidan. Could I let this cute frat boy court me? Date me? Letter me? Maybe even lavalier me if I made the decision to join a sorority? I realize none of that matters because I did meet Aidan and I do belong to him, even if we can’t go out on dates or tailgates or study together in the library. He’s mine and I’m his, even with all the obstacles in the way.
“Thank you, but…I’m okay…” I start to say I have a boyfriend but frankly, I’m not ready for the questions I’d have to lie to answer: most importantly, who? I’m off the bench before he can respond and rushing towards the nearest building, praying that Aidan will follow me. I don’t make it two steps down a hallway before I’m hauled into an empty classroom and he closes the door behind him.
“Hi,” I whisper, my teeth finding my bottom lip instantly.
He crosses his arms over his chest and I can sense the tension flowing off him in waves. “That guy wants you.”
“Does it matter?”
“Did he ask you out?”
“No,” I tell him. “He just asked if I was coming to a party this weekend.” I hurry to add, “I won’t go if you don’t want me to.” Aidan’s not looking at me, his gaze trained on the floor as he struggles to meet my eyes.
“Doesn’t matter,” he mumbles and my eyebrows draw together.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m never going to be able to have you, Skyler. And I can’t keep asking you to give up college experiences for me. When I was nineteen, I wouldn’t have given them up for anything.”
“Why—why can’t you have me? I’m only your student for another six weeks. Just until winter break.”
“Try until May 2022,” he says and I stare at him confused. “Hendricks informed me, after he made note that I needed to stay away from you, Skyler, that teachers are prohibited to be in a relationship with any student on campus—mine or otherwise.”
“What? That’s absurd.”
“No students, no teachers. Period. Ever. They said it keeps all bases covered.”
“So…”
“So, you’re off limits to me for four years.”
His words are like a punch in the stomach, leaving me gasping for air. I open my mouth to take in a deep breath and look around the abandoned classroom to try and collect my thoughts. “What did he say about me?” I ask weakly.
“He said that he’s seen me alone with you more than once now and asked point blank if anything was going on. I said no and he advised I keep it that way, especially with you being the chancellor’s niece.”
“Goddaughter,” I correct, though I’m not sure why. Maybe if we aren’t blood-related, Aidan will feel less intimidated.
“Whatever,” he grumbles. I take a step forward and he holds his hand out stopping me in place. “Skyler…”
“This sucks,” I whisper, “but I don’t want to give you up. Give us up.” He’s silent and my heart begins to accelerate wondering what it means. “I can quit after this semester. I can transfer to—”
