The Freshman (College Years 1)

Just before he kisses me.

Epilogue

Tony

I’m walking by the library, minding my own business when I hear a low whistle sound somewhere to my left. I glance over at the cluster of picnic tables nearby and spot my girlfriend sitting at one of them, her best friend right next to her. The both of them trying to act like they don’t see me, looking everywhere else but in my direction.

Of course I know Hayden’s the one who whistled at me. She’s been doing it a lot lately. She’s kind of weird sometimes, but I love her.

Pausing, I lower the shades on my face, so I can peer over my sunglasses at the two of them. Gracie barely looks my way before nudging Hayden in the ribs. My girl smiles at me and waves. “Hey sexy.”

Chuckling, I approach them, stopping beside the bench they’re sitting on. They both scoot over, allowing me some room, and I settle in right beside Hayden, reaching for her. Kissing her. “I’m done,” I murmur against her lips.

“Yay!” She throws her arms up in the air before wrapping them around my neck, giving me another, longer kiss.

“Ew,” Gracie says, making a face. We both glare at her. She laughs. “You guys are gross.”

“You’re just jealous of our love,” Hayden says teasingly, and I tighten my arms around her waist. I refuse to let go of her.

It’s like I can’t.

“You know I’m not jealous. I’m actually really happy for you guys,” Gracie says with a wistful sigh.

It’s the end of the spring semester. I just took my last final. I’m officially done with my freshman year. And it’s been better than I could’ve ever expected. I went into this school year a little nervous, not expecting much, and crossing my fingers I’d pass my classes.

Instead, I started on a championship winning football team, I made the Dean’s list for the fall semester and will most likely do the same for the spring, and I’ve fallen in love. I’ve even reformed a tentative relationship with my parents. A good one too, especially with my mother.

Didn’t give her back Millicent though, even when she asked. Millicent is my cat now. Mom got herself a teacup yorkie instead. She named him Mr. Nutters.

Whatever.

“Are we celebrating the end of the semester tonight?” Hayden asks me.

I can think of the many ways I want to celebrate with just Hayden tonight, but I know that’s not what she’s referring to. “We’re having a barbecue at our place. Everyone’s invited.” I say this specifically to Gracie.

She makes a face. “Including Caleb?”

“Gracie. He lives there,” I deadpan.

She rolls her eyes. “I was hoping he was excluded from the festivities.”

“Will Jackson be there?” Hayden asks, her eyes lighting up. She has a slight thing for him, but I don’t mind. He still hasn’t signed with a record company yet. He’s playing hard to get, and hopefully it’s working for him. He recently produced a couple of his own singles thanks to his dad’s money, and one of them got major airplay.

He’s turning into kind of a big deal. We’re going to be able to say we knew him when, I’m pretty sure of it.

“Yes, your secret boyfriend will be there.” I bop her nose with my index finger and she laughs. “He says he has an announcement.”

“Oooh, I wonder what his announcement will be.” She frowns. “He hasn’t mentioned anything to me yet.”

She’s kidding. We like to joke that Jackson is Hayden’s side boyfriend. He has no idea we make this joke either. Jackson doesn’t talk much to Hayden. He doesn’t talk much to any of us lately. He’s been too busy. Once football was finished, he was off, taking only a couple of classes on campus and some online, while the rest of the time, he’s in the studio making music.

I don’t know if he’ll be on the football team this next year. As of right now, his name is still on the roster. But things could change. He’s pursuing his passion and he’s throwing his entire self into it. He can’t do that if he’s playing football and doing the music thing. Eventually he’s going to have to choose.

Can’t wait to see where his path takes him.

“Jake will be there tonight,” I tell Hayden.

“Oh, that’s so great.” She met him at Christmas, and she got along great with him and Hannah. Of course she did.