Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

I busted my ass for the perfect GPA all throughout high school for this specific reason, but I also knew better than to assume good grades would earn me a full ride. So, I used the only advantage I have, the only thing that could ever come close to making me stand out in this life—make me special.

My sister.

The admissions lady seemed particularly interested in Ashley’s celebrity status over the phone, constantly bringing up Ash’s wild success at such a young age.

Granted, I might’ve embellished the story a bit, including the part I play in Ashley’s musical endeavors and the responsibilities I have “managing” her career.

What can I say? I spent so much of high school playing personal assistant to my sister it left little time for extracurricular activities. You can bet I’m going to make the billion errands I’ve been running for the past six years count for something.

I skim over the messages Xav and I exchanged on Sunday. I figured I should change his name in my phone to Xavier after he had his tongue down my throat and branded me with the biggest hickey of all time.

Aveena: Hey. About yesterday, I’m sorry.

Thirty minutes later, he still hadn’t replied, and I was growing worried that he never would.

Until my phone lit up with his answer.

Xavier: For?

Aveena: Running out on you like that.

Xavier: Don’t apologize.

Aveena: I want to.

Xavier: You saved all of us from getting busted. If anything, I should be thanking you.

Aveena: Still. We were kind in the middle of something.

Xavier: Fuck, Vee… Don’t remind me. I’m getting a semi just thinking about it.

To say I didn’t squeal like a pig at his admission would be a lie.

Xavier: What are you doing later? I need to see you.

Guess that settles the question of him regretting it. My heart gave a jolt. I’d been obsessing over Xavier’s skilled mouth, his tempting hands all over my body since the moment I’d fled Finn’s mansion the day before.

Aveena: Ugh. I can’t today. Just drove all the way to Duke for my scholarship interview. I’m so nervous.

Xavier: Don’t be. You’re going to kill it.

A question as obvious as it was unexpected popped into my brain. I’d never given much thought to the possibility of a future between Xav and I before, but now? I had to ask.

Aveena: What about you? Any schools in mind?

His reply made my smile that much wider.

Xavier: Hoping for a full ride at Duke, too. Rumor is, there’ll be a scout at the next game.

Xavier: It’s on Friday. You should come.

I couldn’t picture it.

Not by any stretch of my imagination. Little old me showing up at every game from now on, cheering on the most popular guy in school from the stands, but I still let myself dream.

Buy into the fairy tale.

Aveena: I’d love to.