“Yeah so many friends.” I roll my eyes and sigh knowing she won’t pick up on my sarcasm. I exit the building and end the call with an, “I love you, Mom.”
The cafeteria is two buildings over, but I don’t want to chance running into Hayley, Liam, and Killian so they can make fun of me again. I pull out my keys and decide to treat myself to breakfast from this diner I passed on my way through the town yesterday. I’m not mad at Hayley or anything, but I know Liam will probably be with her followed by Killian. Even thinking his name has heat spreading through my veins remembering that kiss. If only it didn’t suck for him. I could hear his regret when he said, “I shouldn’t have done that.”
I get in my car and set out for the restaurant as my stomach growls demanding nourishment. It’s about thirty minutes from campus. I hope the food is worth the drive. Parking my car, I’m second guessing myself and thinking about simply going to a drive-thru instead. I’ve never gone to breakfast alone other than at home. Even then I usually had my mother unless she had an appointment or obligation.
I fidget with the locket around my neck. Hayley and I will need to discuss it soon. I’d like to talk to her mom so she can tell me about him…about James—my birth father. That’s something an adult would do. Have a mature conversation. Taking a deep breath, I give myself a mental pep talk and exit the black Camry. My stepfather thought it made the perfect first car for me. It’s decent on gas, and if I hit something it won’t be the end of the world or cost a fortune to repair.
The diner is crowded, and I easily blend in at the counter. Most people sitting here appear to be alone, and I don’t feel as awkward as I had imagined that I would. I order the breakfast platter and resist the urge to take it to go and eat alone in my car. The waitress brings me my orange ju
ice, and I sip on it through a straw while I wait for my food.
My cellphone pings with a new text.
Unknown Number: Hey, this is Woodrow. Hope you don’t mind, but I got your number from Hayley. Did you still want that tour?
Liri: Sounds like fun. Want to meet at the student center in about an hour?
Woodrow: See you soon.
I finish my food off, and when I get back in my car, I apply some lip gloss to my mouth and some mascara to my lashes. I don’t usually wear as much makeup as I did last night, but I do wear a little. By the time I arrive back at campus and park my car it is almost time to meet up with Woodrow. I get to the student center about ten minutes early and he is already waiting for me.
“Hey,” I greet, tapping him on the shoulder. He spins around wearing a Crestwood University t-shirt and jeans. A wide smile crosses his face.
He looks down at my pants. “You look cute.”
“Cute isn’t the word I was expecting but thanks.” What a nerd. Killian’s voice repeats in my head, but I shove the negative thought away.
“Where would you like to start? What classes do you have?”
“Art History, Creative Writing, Introduction to Web Design, Ceramics, and a dance class.”
“I’m sure you are eager to check out the studio for ceramics.”
“Absolutely.”
“What’s your major?”
“I’m undeclared but leaning toward Art Education. So I am kind of dabbling in a bit of everything art related until I decide. I earned some of my credits while I was in high school. I did online courses and AP classes.”
“That’s cool.”
“What about you?”
“I’m here on an engineering scholarship.”
“So you’re like super smart then, huh?” I am lucky that my stepdad makes good money and is paying for my education. I don’t like telling people that I am sort of a trust fund baby. Uncle Cooper and Theo are investment bankers who have done really well for themselves. They bought stock in some tech company years ago. It was the startup of some guy they knew from college. Apparently, it was a great investment. The company is a multibillion-dollar leader of the tech world. When I turn twenty-one and graduate with my degree, I will be given accesses to five million dollars. At twenty-five I will receive another five. When I reach thirty-two, I will receive the remaining ten. I grew up knowing we had money, but Theo has always made me do chores and earn good grades. He told me that because we had money didn’t mean I got to be lazy or indulge in every want or fancy that I had. Hence me driving a Camry instead of having something flashy like Killian. Jesus. Why is he always on my mind? I have known him less than twenty-four hours. I feel like a crazy person. I’ve become infatuated with the jerk.
“You could say that.” Woodrow offers me his arm and I loop mine over his elbow. He’s nice and exactly the kind of guy I should be pursuing a friendship with, but my thoughts keep circling back to last night. That race and that stupid kiss. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never obsess over guys or a guy.
Woodrow and I spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around campus and goofing off. I think he is going to be a good friend.
I learn he lives at the frat house the party was at. He’s a sophomore and is like a computer whiz or something.
Chapter 5
Liri
We are coming back up on my dorm when I get a text from Hayley. “Sorry, I need to reply to this message,” I tell Woodrow and he motions for me to go ahead. I meander over to a nearby bench.