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“Okay, now it’s your turn,” Maisie smiles after five minutes of posing for photos.
“Oh no, I’m good. Thank you, though.”
“It wasn't a question. Shut up and smile,” Maisie commands as she holds up her phone, snapping a few photos. “Perfect! Now you’ll always have something to remember your first day at CCU. I’ll text them to you.”
“Thanks, Mom. Did you pack my lunch for me, too?” Maisie rolls her eyes at my joke and gulps down the rest of her coffee. “Really though, thank you,” I say with a sincere smile.
“Anytime,” Maisie replies as she slings her bag over her shoulder and grabs her bagel from the toaster. “See you later!”
* * *
I takea seat near the middle of the lecture hall for my first class, English 101. I’m a communications major, minoring in marketing. My senior year of high school, I was in charge of the planning, marketing, and social media promotion for our Winter Wonderland Formal. I remember spending hours making graphics for flyers, drafting social media posts, coordinating with vendors, but it didn’t feel like work at all. Becoming an event planner or public relations coordinator would be a dream career for me.
My parents are both lawyers, in fact, they met in law school. For years, they boasted to their peers about how I would become the next lawyer in the Rhodes family. However, as I got older, I realized I didn’t want to be anything like my parents. I didn't want to live a life where work is more important than family, status is more admired than character, and money is valued over happiness.
I never want my family to feel like they are in constant competition with my career. In my eighteen years of life, I’ve experienced lavish vacations, dined in expensive restaurants, and driven luxury cars. I’ve been given almost everything someone my age can want. Yet, I don’t think I’ve experienced the one thing I’ve always yearned for; raw, unconditional love.
“First class of the day?” A deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look to my right to find alluring, blue-gray eyes staring at me. The owner of the voice makes my eyes widen; he’s gorgeous, almost like he walked straight out of a magazine. He looks like a Calvin Klein model with his tall frame, light brown hair, and chiseled jawline.
“Unfortunately, yes. English isn’t exactly how I want to start my Mondays,” I respond with a chuckle. “What about you?”
“Same, but hey, at least we don’t have an eight a.m.,” he says with a wink.
“Oh God, you’re one of thosebright sidepeople,” I laugh. “I need another cup of coffee before I can start seeing the glass half full.”
He smirks before leaning closer. “Want to grab some after class? Coffee’s on me.”
Woah, that was fast.He catches me off guard with his offer. He’s clearly a nice guy, but I also just met him.
“That’s nice of you, but I have a crazy schedule today. Rain check?”
“I’ll hold you to it,” he says with a grin. “I’m Colin, by the way.” He hands me a piece of paper he tore from his notebook with a number scrawled across it. “I mean this with the best intentions, call me if you need anything. It’s nice to have a friend.”
“Thanks, Colin,” I reply with a soft smile as I grab his note and slip it into my bag. “My name’s Phoebe.” He stares at me like he’s trying to memorize each line of my face before we’re interrupted by a deep voice.
“Happy Monday and welcome to English 101,” our professor announces from the front of the room. The soft chatter of students goes silent as we turn our heads to face him. I try to keep my attention focused on the lesson, but I can’t ignore the way Colin glances at me throughout the remainder of class.
* * *
I rush backto my apartment after my last class to get changed for practice. After pulling on my CCU Athletics shorts and t-shirt, I tug my hair into a ponytail, grab my water bottle, and make my way down to the parking lot. My psychology professor got carried away with his lecture, hence the reason I’m now taking the stairs down two at a time. I remind myself to sit near the back of class from now on, in case I need to sneak out early. I’m still going to make it to practice with plenty of time to spare, but I was hoping to meet some of my teammates and explore the athletic facility beforehand.
The CCU Athletic Facility is one of the top collegiate training centers in the country. It’s a modern building, with glass panels covering almost the entire exterior. It holds a state-of-the-art weight room, Olympic sized pool, and treatment rooms with ice baths and thermotherapy rooms. I’m pumped to have a look around and get the lay of the land before everything kicks off.
Once I make it to the parking lot, I tilt my head to the side and stare at my Mercedes. Either I’m deliriously tired, or my car is significantly leaning to one side. Upon further inspection, I die a little inside when I notice my back right tire is completely flat.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Please no, not today.Oh my God,” I mutter under my breath, pacing back and forth, trying to figure out what to do.
Here I am, going out of my way to make sure I’m on time, and my fucking tire is flat. It’s not just low on air, but completely flat. My rim isliterallytouching the ground. I’ve never been in this situation before, and my parents sure as hell never taught me how to change a tire. I’m so screwed. The only people I vaguely know in Coral Cove are Maisie and Colin.Colin.
“I mean this with the best intentions, call me if you need anything.”His offer replays in my head. I can’t believe I'm about to do this, but I have no other options at this point. I search through my bag until I find the crumpled piece of paper and dial Colin’s number.
“Hello?” Colin answers on the second ring, clearly confused at the unknown number.
I let out a whoosh of air in relief that he actually answered. “Uh… Hey, Colin. It’s Phoebe. Are you busy right now?”
“Phoebe?” He pauses to think. “Oh, Phoebe from class! I’m not gonna lie, I totally thought I weirded you out after giving you my number. Glad I didn’t completely blow it,” he chuckles. “But yeah, I just finished up my last class. I’m free for the rest of the day; what did you have in mind?”
“Actually, I kind of have an emergency. I have a flat tire, so I’m running late to softball practice, my first one of the season. I’m freaking the hell out. I’ve never had to change a tire before, and I don’t really have time to learn right now. Is there any way you can help if you’re still on campus? I live in the Zion apartment building, right across the street from the library,” I rush out, panic-stricken.
