The Freshman (College Years 1)

We all chat while we wait for Jackson to appear. The anticipation is ramping up in the room. You can feel the crowd growing more and more anxious, girls shouting his name at random times. Ellie looks mind-blown. I don’t know if she’s ever been at one of his performances like this before, and I bet she’s overwhelmed.

She’s not the only fan of Jackson’s anymore. He has a whole slew of them.

Finally, the lights go out. The screaming increases. Caleb is screaming too, chanting Jackson’s name over everyone else. We’re laughing. Eli is losing his mind. Ava, Ellie and Jocelyn are hopping up and down, clutching each other’s hands. Hayden rearranges herself so she’s standing directly in front of me, just like last time, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

Finally, the lights go up and there’s Jackson. Sitting on his throne once again, a single beam of silvery light focused only on him. He’s clutching his guitar, his hair in his face, clad in a white T-shirt and jeans. Layers of chains hang from his neck. Rings glint off his fingers.

The girls go wild.

“JACKSON, YOU’RE SO FUCKING SEXY!”

That’s from Caleb.

“Good evening. My name is Jackson Rivers.”

And then he begins to play.

It’s an unfamiliar song. It starts out slow and soft, before it starts to build. I’m sure it’s his own creation, and I don’t remember it from last time, so I’m guessing it’s new. It gets a little faster, and when he switches to the chorus, the entire stage is lit, showing a full band behind him.

The screams are deafening.

Only for you, I’d hesitate

Only for you, I’d stand and wait

It’s only you that can change my mind

And only you would leave me behind

It’s a bittersweet love song. I know it. But for who? Maybe his fans. I glance over at Ellie, who looks ready to swoon.

She probably thinks it’s for her.

When he finishes, the girls are screaming so loud, my ears start to buzz. Jackson smiles at the crowd, and when he spots us, his grin grows. He waves, and the girls in front of us think he’s waving to them. They lose their goddamn minds and lunge for the stage, but a beefy security guard stops them, holding them back.

“He even has security,” Eli shouts at us, sounding envious. “Holy shit.”

“This is insane,” Hayden says with a laugh.

“Good song though,” I tell her, giving her a squeeze, thinking how right those words are.

Hayden is the only girl I’d do anything for. And when I say anything, I mean anything.

I tuck her in close, resting my chin on top of her head as Jackson launches into the next song. Another original, one that’s familiar, and Hayden starts to move to the beat. I glance over to catch Caleb helping Gracie onto his shoulders and she beams at Jackson, singing along with the chorus when it starts. Ava’s on top of Eli’s shoulders already, and Ellie and Jocelyn are dancing around Diego.

Being surrounded by my closest friends, both new and old, my girl in my arms, this is the best feeling in the whole damn world. Bar none.

My heart is full.

Twenty-Eight

Hayden

January

“Oh my God!” I start running toward Tony the moment I spot him out on the field. He stops when he hears me, aiming a smile my way as he throws his arms out, waiting for me. I slam into him, his strong arms coming around me, my face pressed against his chest as I breathe in his sweaty, familiar scent.

The Bulldogs just won the Las Vegas Bowl.