The Freshman (College Years 1)

Now I’m the one getting a death stare.

“See you at Strummers?” I ask Tony.

He smiles. “Definitely.” He rests his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze, just before he leans in and drops a quick kiss on my lips.

I feel that touch all the way to my toes and back up, settling in my core.

“Hayden!” Gracie’s voice is sharp. She’s standing by the table and gathering her books, shoving them in her backpack.

I go to join her, my gaze trained on Tony as he walks away with his friends. Caleb flips around, so he’s walking backwards, that goofy grin still on his face.

Gracie lifts her hand, giving him the finger.

He just laughs.

“What the hell?” I ask her as I shove the last of my schoolwork in my backpack and jerk the zipper closed.

“That guy is a douchebag. An annoying, sexy douchebag,” Gracie says, her tone laced with hostility. She slips her backpack strap over her shoulder, looking prepared to go in for battle.

“He’s not so bad.” I have no idea what Caleb is really like. I’ve barely talked to him.

“He’s awful. Giving me endless shit. Over something I had nothing to do with and can’t control.” Gracie shakes her head. “Robin can’t help it if his parents gave him a girl’s name.”

Huh. That is pretty awful. But Caleb looks so harmless.

We head for the parking lot, which is the opposite direction to where the boys are walking. I wonder where they’re going. Has Tony been to Strummers before? I wonder if he’ll like the music. It’s not that great. And the place will be filled with mostly screaming females. That’s how it was when we were there last week.

Yes, I went there a week ago to watch Robin, the shitty singer, perform his shitty songs with the poetic lyrics. I am such a good friend, I deserve a medal.

“Caleb is probably acting that way because he knows he’s getting under your skin,” I point out to her.

Which isn’t that easy to do. Gracie is usually very accepting of everyone. Especially guys. And I don’t mean that as an insult either.

It’s the truth.

“Be prepared for Caleb showing up tonight,” I warn her.

“I really hope that doesn’t happen,” Gracie says, sending me a look. “He’s fucking hot.”

“Wait, what?” I come to a complete stop. “Are you talking about Tony?”

Gracie stops too. “No! Well, your boyfriend is hot too, but so is his friend. His annoying as fuck, rude as hell friend is utterly fuckable.”

Oh no.

“Gracie. You have Robin,” I remind her.

“Not really. I think he considers me a groupie like the rest of them.” She sighs. “But I don’t really want Caleb either. He’s awful.”

“They’re all awful,” I say in agreement, because this is what we do. Bash a little on the male species.

Well, one of them isn’t awful.

At least, right now he isn’t.

Fifteen

Tony