The Freshman (College Years 1)

“What about the other girl?” Caleb asks.

“What other—oh.” Gracie waves her hand. “That was nothing.”

“Gracie…” Hayden starts.

“It’s okay. He just wants comfort. I won’t fuck him. Promise.” The smile on her face is small. Even a little sad. “Please don’t give me shit. I feel terrible about what happened. We made fun of him the entire night, and he sounded so defeated just now. I feel guilty.”

I’m about to point out that she never made fun of him the entire night. Not once. That was on the rest of us, even Hayden a little bit. And the last thing Gracie should feel is guilty.

But whatever. That isn’t my problem, it’s Gracie’s. I just don’t understand people who forgive cheaters so easily. Like my parents. Why did they string each other along like that? People who can’t be loyal bug the shit out of me. I’m loyal to the bitter end to my friends. Some might say I’m loyal to a fucking fault, but I will never stand for someone who cheats on me.

That is some straight-up bullshit.

Witnessing the ups and downs of Gracie and Robin is reminding me why I’m not interested in a relationship. Gracie going to that asshole right now during his supposed, ‘time of need’ is borderline pathetic.

Keeping it casual with Hayden is the way to go. Relationships are too messy.

“I’m going to talk to her,” Hayden murmurs to me before she lets go of me and steers Gracie out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Caleb shakes his head, disgust written all over his face. “She shouldn’t let him get away with it.”

“I agree,” I say quietly.

“He manipulated her into thinking she’s the one who should feel guilty,” Caleb continues.

“You’re right,” I say with a nod. “This is why relationships suck. You just end up hurting the one you supposedly love, or you end up getting hurt.”

“What do you mean, relationships suck?” Caleb appears confused. “I always thought you were looking for the perfect girl, and it looks like you just found her.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“You and Hayden have been all over each other tonight. Not that I think it’s a bad thing. Just don’t go around saying you don’t want something when you act like you do,” he says with a shrug.

“Hayden and I –we’re just hanging out,” I say, knowing it sounds lame. “I don’t need the perfect girl. I already figured out there’s no such thing, thanks to Sophie.”

At one point, I definitely thought she was perfect. Until our relationship turned into a complete disaster and she left.

“Uh huh. But you realized quick high school relationships are meaningless,” Caleb says.

“Don’t say that to Ava and Eli. Or Jake and Hannah. Asher and Autumn. Diego and Jocelyn.” I frown. Damn, the list is long.

“Exceptions.”

“All of our friend

s’ relationships are exceptions?” I raise my brows. “The odds aren’t in their favor. Someone from that group is going to break up. I’m calling it now.”

“Who do you think will?” Caleb asks.

“Not Diego and Jos. They’ve been through enough, and they already broke up once. Ash and Autumn have been together a long time. They’re making it work despite being long distance for the last three years, so I doubt they will either. Jake’s going to cling to Hannah as his life becomes crazier and crazier…”

“Eli and Ava then,” Caleb suggests, though I can tell it pains him to do so.

“Yep.” I nod. “Maybe we should make a bet on it.”

That is probably a terrible idea.

“No way. That’s fucked up,” Caleb says with a shake of his head.