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Chapter 1
Sophia
These are days I’ll miss most. The simplicity of walking across campus. Seeing friends in the distance, acknowledging them with a smile and a wave. Being greeted by my favorite barista at the campus coffee shop and knowing there is always something to do.
Except, this isn’t real life. These are the moments before life begins. The years leading up to my future.The future. I appreciate what the experience has given me and the lessons I’ve learned. The people I’ve met and the places I’ve traveled have made me the person I am today. Road trips with my best friends and pushing myself in my studies and passions. Even dating guys who never would have given me the time of day in high school. Each experience has been a steppingstone to a life I’ve dreamed of or, at the very least, planned.
“Soph, are you listening?”
“Huh?” I mumble. “Not really.”
A fry is thrown and bounces off my shoulder as our table breaks out in a string of laughter. I scrunch my nose at my best friend, Morgan, who responds with an eye roll.
“I could lie and say I was listening but then we’d have an entire debate about it so honesty seemed like a better idea. Besides, I already know the rest of the story. James was hot, he kissed like it was his major, and made you scream the Lord’s name at least six times as you orgasmed.”
Scooping up the fallen fry, I pop it in my mouth with a smirk. Morgan is predictable on her best day, regaling us with her hookups and opinions on everything. In my defense, she told me this story two seconds after leaving her date’s room last night. There are no secrets between us and while the rest of our friends listen with rapt attention, I’m distracted by everything we have to do over the next few months. Today’s lunch with my friends is a welcome break in my packed schedule. And a reminder of how little time we have left to enjoy these spontaneous meetups.
Morgan tilts her head toward me and narrows her eyes. Jeremiah and Maribel groan while I release a long breath. Although she is majoring in Economics, my best friend fancies herself an investigator and only gets this look on her face when she thinks there’s a story to unveil.
“Nope. Don’t give me that look,” I warn.
“Something’s going on with you. You’re... sad? No! Melancholy. Gosh that’s a great word. People should use it more often. Why ya glum, chum?”
I take a drink from my lemonade and use the opportunity to supply a dramatic pause. I may not be under the bright lights and center stage during performances but, being part of the theatre department, I’ve still managed to acquire a bit of a dramatic flair.
“Nothing is wrong per se, I guess I’m feeling nostalgic. It’s all ending. We’ll be going our separate ways soon.” With a shrug I continue, “When I was walking across campus today, I guess reality set in.”
Jeremiah is the first to laugh but it isn’t long before he’s joined by Maribel and Morgan. Sure, they’re laughing because each of them knows what their future looks like. Maribel is going back to the East Coast and marrying her childhood sweetheart. She’ll live the suburban life with two point five kids and a floppy-eared dog by the time we’re twenty-five. Jeremiah will head for the bright lights of Hollywood and I have no doubt he will find success as a working actor.
Meanwhile, Morgan and I are moving to Seattle. The apartment we found leaves much to be desired but it’s a safe neighborhood and we can afford the rent. It may have ancient appliances and floral wallpaper but it’ll be ours and we are excited to have our own space again. Both of us know we’ll have to work harder than most with the cost of living in Seattle but it’s something we’ve dreamt of since freshman year.
“Sophia, I love you dearly, but you do know this was always the plan, right? Go to college, make questionable decisions...” Jeremiah pauses and raises a single brow at the one person in our group whose decisions have been more daring than the rest of us. Morgan shoves his arm with a giggle, not denying her role in the group and he continues, “...all while creating memories and friendships to last us a lifetime.”
“Don’t forget our education,” Maribel adds.
I offer a half-hearted shrug. “Logically I know all of that but I can still be sad. One of us has to have a heart.”
Everyone laughs and we go about the rest of our meal making promises for the future. We may never keep those promises but it feels good to know that I’ve made friends who are willing to appease me with the effort. As we all gather our things I’m stopped by Morgan’s teasing voice. It’s an unfortunate sound, a cross between a screeching toddler and a howling dog.
“Ohhh there’s your boyfriend, Soph. I bet he’ll miss you most of all come graduation.”
All heads turn—including mine—toward the door. With a heavy sigh, I turn back around and say, “Be nice. Rowdy is sweet and he always walks me to the house after my late class. He’s just a little different.”
Jeremiah and Maribel join my admonishment, which brings Morgan’s cheeks from their usual peach color to flaming red. I don’t like embarrassing her or making her feel bad but I despise when people are cruel to others. I also know it isn’t her intention to be callous. She’s repeating the way others on campus mock and tease Rowdy.
Her blonde hair falls in sheets around her face as she leans forward to pick up her bag from the floor. When she stands, a small smile is on her lips. “I’m sorry. That was unkind and I don’t mean it. I’m only teasing. Don’t you think it’s strange that he seems to show up everywhere you are?”
Rolling my eyes, I stand and grab my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder. “He’s a campus security guard, Morgan. It’s kind of his job to be everywhere. I have to get to class. Dillinger has been in a mood lately, and I don’t want to be on his bad side.”
Making my way across the room, I wave hello to Rowdy and smile to a few familiar faces. The door is held open as I approach.
“Thank you,” I say, darting past the man holding the door open. His response is a compliment of my ass. Sure I could put him in his place and remind him saying such unwelcome things is simply inappropriate. But I’d rather not dampen my good mood and choose to ignore him.
“Ungrateful, bitch.”
This comment is a different story. I stop in my tracks, my hands gripping the straps of my pack. Eyes closed, I will myself to be calm.Walk away, Sophia. Don’t engage in conflict. Assholes aren’t worth it.Nope.
Spinning on my heel, I focus my attention on the man before me. He’s obviously a student and by the declaration of his shirt, a Drummond University athlete. Why does he have to give in to the stereotype of student athletes? Most are good guys but there has to be one cocky asshole to spoil the bunch.
