“You are,” I point out.
“That’s not the same thing and you know it.”
I lift my shoulder. “We came to an understanding or well we tried to. He helped me with some research for my writing assignment.”
“Are you guys like study partners?”
“What’s with the fifty questions?” I turn around with my white leggings that have unicorns printed on them in my hand.
“Lay off her ass. Damn, baby,” Liam chastises her as he exits the bathroom.
“So you don’t see a problem with this situation? You know Killian better than anyone and he told me he’d stay away from her.”
“I appreciate that you are looking out for me, but I can pick my own friends.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t want him to hurt you. It’s what he does. He gets what he wants and moves on to the next girl in line waiting.”
“I gotta get in the shower or I’m going to be late for my class.” I step around her and slam the bathroom door. I don’t want to fight with Hayley. But I don’t want or need her trying to mother me either. I already have a protective mother. I should probably call her.
When I get finished with the bathroom, I find I have the room to myself. I pull my phone off the charger and dial my mom.
“Hey, sweetie. How’s my big-time college student? You liking your classes?”
“They’re fine. How are you holding up?”
“The house is quiet without you, but I am managing. I thought I’d drive up sometime and we can do lunch. I’ll get a hotel and stay for a weekend or something. How’s that sound?”
“Good.” I smile. I do miss my mom. We did everything together because I was a nerd who didn’t have many friends her own age.
“Have you met anyone special?” My thoughts automatically center on Killian, and I roll my eyes at myself.
“Not really,” I lie. “Hayley has some nice friends.”
“I’m glad you girls are getting along. I was afraid she’d be pushy like her mother.” I start to laugh. Hayley is pushy but not in a bad way.
“I have to get to class soon. I will talk to you later. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.” I hit the red telephone icon to end the call.
My hand moves to my throat out of habit, and I realize I never got my necklace back from Killian. I will have to replace the chain. I don’t want Hayley to know I broke it. I know that would hurt her feelings.
I shove my phone in my bag and hope I have enough time to grab something for breakfast from the cafeteria. I don’t see anyone I know when I go to the cereal bar and am thankful for a minute without some sort of drama. I’m exhausted and wishing I had scheduled my classes for later in the day. This dance class should help me to keep off the freshman fifteen. I hope anyway. Not that I have ever had a problem with my weight, but everyone says girls gain fifteen pounds in their freshman year of college.
I make it to the dance studio and my cereal nearly comes back up when I see none other than Jackie front and center of the room stretching. She has on these tiny black shorts that her butt cheeks are hanging out of and a neon pink sports bra. The universe couldn’t let me have one day. I let out a breath and quickly move past her hoping she doesn’t give me any crap.
“Nice pants,” she says on a snort.
I should keep walking, but my feet become weighted to the spot. “Look, I’m sorry for what I said the other day. It was completely out of character and uncalled for. I don’t think you’re a skank. Well maybe a little bit but that’s because you were rude to me the other day, and I saw you with Killian and Ben all with an hour of one another, and I was being judgy.”
“Please. You think I care what a little priss like you thinks of me? I don’t, but since we are being honest, you should know that Killian doesn’t date. He fucks. So prepare yourself. When he pops your cherry, you’ll feel special, but then he’ll cast you off like all the other girls who thought he’d change for them.”
Her words slice right through me. They shouldn’t bother me at all because I know exactly the kind of guy Killian is, but I’d be a liar if I said there wasn’t a part of me who wasn’t thinking exactly that. That maybe things could be different between us. I don’t know why I thought I would be special to him. I should thank Jackie for the reminder of exactly who I am dealing with. I stay quiet and move to the back of the class praying she stays away from me. Catty girl drama is the last thing I need.
Chapter 12
Liri
“What are you doing tonight?” Hayley looks over at me. I’m on my stomach laying on my bed with my notes for my writing assignment spread around me.