Chapter 17

On Tuesday morning the dining halls are finally open. As I’m getting ready to head down there for breakfast, the phone rings.

“Jessica it’s Nate. How’s it going?” His voice is strong which I take as a sign he’s getting better.

“Hey, Nate. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good, but I called to ask about you. Are you doing okay out there in Connecticut?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

“We sure miss you. It’s just not the same without you around.” I wish he hadn't said that. I miss them, too, but I can’t keep thinking about it.

“I’m sure Cody’s keeping you company.”

“Yes.” Nate hesitates. “But he and I aren’t really speaking right now so—”

“You’re fighting? Why?” I ask, although I’m pretty sure of the answer.

“Cody dropped out of school. Did he tell you that?”

“Yeah, but it’s just for a semester.”

“He made it sound like he’s taking the whole year off. He’s ruining his future. I tried to tell him that, but he won’t listen. He’s stubborn, like me. I was thinking maybe you could talk some sense into him.”

“I already tried to talk him out of it. He wouldn’t listen to me. I’m sure he’ll go back in the spring.”

“So classes start tomorrow?” Nate’s tone brightens.

“Yeah, I have orientation this morning. I was gonna grab some breakfast quick. The dining halls are finally open.”

“Cody mentioned they were closed. He said some boy has been taking you out a lot.”

“Just a few times.”

“Be careful, Jessica. I want you to have fun, but just be careful, okay?”

“Yes, Nate. I’ll be careful.”

For crying out loud, the way Nate and Cody lecture me you’d think I was going to college with a bunch of criminals. They act like every guy I’ll ever meet will try to harm me in some way. And that I’m some helpless female who can’t defend herself. It’s really getting annoying.

“Well, it sounds like you’ve got a busy morning, so I’ll let you go. We’ll call you later in the week to see how classes are going.”

We hang up and I hurry over to the dining hall. I was expecting a crowd, but the place is almost empty. Apparently, I’m the only one who’s excited about the arrival of on-campus dining. I grab a tray and get a couple of donuts along with a hard-boiled egg for some actual nutrients. Then I fill a glass with soda and sit down at a table by myself.

“Jessica.” Harper appears, looking much better than the night before. “Can I join you?”

“Of course. How are you feeling?”

“My stomach’s still a little queasy, but I thought I should try to eat something.”

“I’m sorry about the taco—I mean I’m sorry about making you go to that restaurant.”

She laughs. “It’s okay. You can say the T word now that I’m feeling better. And it wasn’t your fault. I’m going to get some food. I’ll be right back.”

Moments later she returns with a plate full of fruit and some dry toast.

“So who was the hot guy I saw you with last night?”

“That was Dominic. I told you about him.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t say he looked like that.” She takes a bite of her toast. “He’s freaking hot, Jessica. And he’s on the swim team, right? I only got a quick look at him but it seemed like he has a good body.”

I peel my hard boiled egg. “He definitely has a good body.” She reaches over the table, stopping my peeling.

“Wait. Are you saying you’ve seen him naked? Already? You just met him. I didn’t even know you two were dating.”

“Relax. We didn’t do anything. And we’re not dating. I just went swimming with him so I got a good look at his body.” I go back to peeling my egg.

“And? What about it?” She sits there staring at me, waiting for a description.

“He’s hot, okay? All muscle. Six pack abs. The works.” She smiles like she’s imagining him naked.

“When are you going swimming again? I might have to go with you guys.”

Just the idea that she’s interested in Dominic irritates me. I know it shouldn’t but it does.

“So what’s the deal with you two?” she asks as she cuts her strawberries in half. “Has he asked you out?”

“We’re just friends. I really don’t want a boyfriend right now. I need to figure out college first.”

“What’s there to figure out? You go to class and study. That’s it. If you like this guy, you should date him. A guy that hot won’t be single for long.” She takes a bite of her strawberry. “And if he gets a girlfriend you guys won’t be able to hang out anymore.”

I hadn’t thought about that, but she’s right. If I don’t date Dominic, someone else will and our friendship will end. The thought depresses me, which is concerning because I shouldn’t even care.

I barely know the guy. Harper gets up from the table. “We should get over there. It’s almost 10.”

We put our trays away, then walk over to the Student Services building for orientation. People are already lined up inside to check in and get their orientation packet. Harper and I go to the back of the line and wait, the low roar of idle chatter all around us. The building is hot and stuffy, like they don’t have air-conditioning running. I’m already sweating.

“Are you signing up for any activities or clubs?” she asks as she takes an elastic from her wrist and puts her hair up.

“I don’t have time for that stuff. I need to find a job. Are you joining anything?”

“Probably. It’s a good way to meet people. In high school, I was in show choir, drama club, French club, cheerleading, student senate, prom committee.”

We inch up in line. “And you still got your homework done?”

“It doesn’t take as much time as you’d think. Plus I like being around people. I’m a total people person. I hate being alone.”

I gather my hair into a ponytail and hold it away from my neck, trying to get cool. “Do you have another hair elastic? It’s so hot in here.”

“Sure.” She digs one out of her purse and hands it to me. “You have great hair, Jessica. I’d kill for thick hair with natural waves like yours.”

“Really? Because I’d rather have your straight hair.”

As I’m putting my hair up, she turns me around. “Check out the hot blond who just got in line.”

The guy she’s referring to is Brandon, who I don’t find even the tiniest bit hot, but at least he cleaned himself up for orientation. His hair isn’t a shaggy mess and he’s got on light-colored shorts, a navy polo shirt, and preppy canvas loafers instead of his usual board shorts and flip-flops.

“That guy’s a total jerk. Don’t even think about dating him.”

“Why? How do you know him?” “He’s Dominic’s friend. He lives off campus, but he was hanging out here last night, and he was so drunk we had to drive him home.”

“But you like Dominic, so how bad could his friend be?” She continues to stare back at Brandon.

“I don’t know why they’re friends but I’m telling you, Harper. Just stay away from the guy.”