Chapter 7
CHAPTER
SEVEN
EMERSON
“Thank you so much for showing me around campus. I know you must be busy.”
“It’s no problem, Emmy. I’m glad to get some time with you.”
Rose smiled over at me and I forced one back, all the while gritting my teeth at the nickname. My nails dug into my palms, the pain reminding me to focus on my plan.
My stepmother had been showing me around Hayward for the past hour, and I hated that it was a beautiful campus. Tree-filled common areas fitted in between ornate brick and stone buildings. It had a gothic vibe that I loved, and if I hadn’t been forced here, I’d be eager to attend.
“I’m sure the news about our marriage was a big surprise.”
“You could say that. I was definitely shocked, considering I didn’t know you were dating.”
Rose stopped and turned toward me, her face full of concern. “I know it’s soon, but when Milton told me how awful he felt about your college fund, it seemed like the right choice. I do regret that none of our kids were there, but we didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“But it is a big deal,” I whispered, willing myself not to cry.
Rose nodded, her face solemn. “Yes. Of course. I got an earful from my kids as well.” She chuckled nervously, brushing her dark hair behind her head. “Which is why we’ve decided to have a small celebration in October.”
“You have?” My eyes widened in surprise. I didn’t know if I actually wanted the marriage to be real, or if I was upset I hadn’t been there. Feelings were confusing.
“I love your father. I haven’t told my kids about… you know...” She waved her hand in the air between us. “They think…” She shook her head, frowning, and I softened toward Rose. She was letting them believe she’d married my dad for his money. But there wasn’t any. “It doesn’t matter. But Milton and I never intended to rob you of being part of it. In fact, I’d love to get your input on some of the details.” She looked at me hopefully, and despite knowing she was Hope’s mom, I couldn’t see any of the evil intent in her eyes. My gut told me she was being sincere.
Well, crap on a cracker. Time to suck it up, buttercup.
“I’d like that.”
“Perfect!” Rose smiled and clapped before glancing at her watch. “Oh, we should get you to your appointment with Amanda.” She clasped my arm, and it didn’t feel as awkward this time as we walked. I hadn’t been able to do this with my mom, so it felt nice to have this pseudo replacement. “Class options will be limited, but you should be able to knock off electives you have left off. What are you majoring in?”
“I’m an English major, and I’m thinking of becoming an editor.”
It was the only thing I’d been remotely interested in that wasn’t dance, so career-wise, it was my best option. Secretly, I wanted to be a choreographer. I just hadn’t ever voiced that to anyone. It felt too scary to do something that meant that much to me. If I failed, it wouldn’t be just sucking at something, but losing my safe place, too.
Some things were irreplaceable, and I wasn’t ready to lose dance.
“I have a few meetings, so if you’re done before I am, just text me where you are, and I’ll let you know when I’m finished. The library and student center are open, and you can get your student ID.”
“All right.” I nodded. “Thanks, Rose.”
She smiled at me, touching my cheek gently before walking away. For some reason, emotion rose, and I had to blink back tears. I’d planned to gain Rose’s favor, but never expected her to be so lovely. She genuinely wanted to know me, and I could tell she did care for my dad. It made the bitterness I’d felt since yesterday dissolve slightly.
I still planned to avenge my name and show the world Hope’s true nature, but using good people wasn’t a line I wanted to cross. I’d have to trust that building my relationship with Rose would endear her to me and make her think twice about anything Hope lied about.
Exhaling, I opened the door to the Admissions office and smacked into a hard chest that smelled of an ocean breeze and lemons. Hands landed on my hips and kept me from toppling over, but I couldn’t stop myself from nuzzling my nose into the soft shirt. Strong arms wrapped around me, and my body shivered at the contact.
And then I realized I’d just sniffed and nuzzled a stranger.
Kill. Me. Now.
“You okay?” a husky voice asked, and I closed my eyes, pressing my cheek into his chest. Why did he have to sound so sexy?
“Depends. Did you feel me nuzzle your shirt? ”
“Um, yes?” He laughed, the sound sweet and happy. It bubbled over my skin like soda, tingling me from head to toe.
“Then, no. I’m dying of mortification. Can you walk to the nearest stairwell and push me down it? It’s the polite thing to do, really.”
“What if I told you I didn’t mind? Would that change your answer?”
“I’ll need to check with my Magic 8-ball to determine.”
He chuckled again, the sound rumbling beneath my cheek, which I realized was now pressed to his pec. My face heated, but I didn’t move to step back. He was warm, and I’d been deprived of human contact all summer.
“Do you happen to have a Magic 8-ball with you? Because I’m curious to determine your fate.”
“Um, right pocket.”
“You want me to get it?”
“Duh. If I move, it will be a reverse Medusa. I’ll be turned to stone by humiliation.”
“Well, I can’t have that. I haven’t even gotten your name or number yet.” He paused, and I had a second to worry I’d embarrassed myself further before he spoke. “Okay, I’m going in; my hand is entering your pocket.”
I giggled, my face heating for a different reason. I knew it was ridiculous to keep holding onto this stranger, but he made me feel safe and warm. I liked it way too much.
“Lifting my hand out of your pocket,” he said, narrating his movements and easing my embarrassment. “Ah. A Magic 8-ball keychain. Practical and quirky. I like it. All right, Magic 8-ball, what’s the outcome for my cuddly koala? Will she give me her number?”
I pulled back, my eyes wide. “That wasn’t the question.”
Hazel eyes stared down at me, the blue prominent with flecks of gold, framed by long, light-brown eyelashes. I froze, my mouth parting at how gorgeous his eyes were. The tips of my ears heated as I continued to gape at the guy I’d been snuggling. He had a strong jawline with light blond stubble across the bottom like he’d forgotten to shave this morning. Dark blond hair fell over his brows in long strands, the sides short and cut close to his scalp. He licked his pink lips, drawing my attention to them.
Had a guy’s lips ever looked so soft and pillowy before? I immediately wanted to taste them to see if they were as smooth as they appeared. His lips quirked up the longer I stared, and I pulled my eyes back to him.
“Outlook good.”
“Huh?” I blinked, the room returning to me.
He let the Magic 8-ball dangle from his fingers, and I reached for it, simultaneously hating that I had to let go of him and feeling relieved. Being this close to his ocean breeze made my brain go hazy. Our hands lingered, words toppling over each other so quickly in my brain that I lost them all.
“Oh, er, I… brain.”
“Miss Adams,” a voice called, and I jerked, remembering I was at Hayward. Not safe. I didn’t think Hope was here today, but I couldn’t let my guard down at her school.
“That’s me.” I stepped back and turned. The counselor lifted her brow, glancing down at her watch. “Yes, right, our appointment.”
Grimacing, I took the keychain from the smiling guy, shoved it into my pocket, and hurried to the door where the counselor had been standing.
“I’ll see you around, Adams,” the cute guy shouted. I looked back, and he shot me a wink before he left. Shaking my head, I walked inside the office, feeling the judgment of the admissions counselor as I sat.
“As a favor to Rose, I expedited your transfer. You need to have Brighton send over your transcripts, but in the meantime, these are the best options available.”
She handed me a list, and I looked through it, internally groaning at the minimal classes available. This semester would suck, but I could do it. I double-checked the practice times for the dance team and circled the classes that would work with the schedule. Ultimately, I ended up with four classes and an independent study that would count toward my Humanities credit.
The counselor nodded at my choices and typed something on her computer, hitting a few keys before the printer roared to life.
“You can grab your textbooks in the campus store or check the library for used copies. Here’s a list of professors open for your independent study advisor. You’ll need to select someone by the second week and get this form signed and submitted. Do you have any questions?”
“Nope,” I lied, my head dangerously on overload. She handed me the paper, and I folded it up and shoved it into my pocket. “Thanks.”
“You should get your ID today, or you won’t be able to get into any of those places.” I nodded, stood, and headed to the door, stopping when she spoke again. “Be careful, Miss Adams. The hierarchies on this campus are very clear, and if you step out of them, they won’t like it.”
I searched her eyes to determine if her words were intended to be helpful or a threat. “I’m well aware of where I belong. Thanks.”
Pushing my shoulders back, I strutted out of the office, not feeling an ounce of the confidence I portrayed, but she didn’t have to know that.
Fake it until you feel it.
Once I was clear of the office, I texted Rose and walked toward the student center. She replied she’d be at least an hour, but once I got my ID, it would be loaded with credits I could use on campus for books or anything else I might need.
Thankfully, the line for IDs was short, and I got mine with a halfway decent picture in five minutes. Next, I headed to the bookstore and located two books I needed, but the others were out of stock.
“Check the library. They should have a few. If you’re unsuccessful, I’ll have these back in by the time the semester starts.”
“Awesome.” Lifting the two books and art supplies I needed for class, I followed the campus map to the library. Stepping inside the ornate building, I gaped at the vaulted ceilings and fell in love with the stained glass windows.
Okay, this building might be my new favorite place, and was somewhere Hope would only step foot inside if under duress.
After help from the librarian, I wrote down the location of the two books and set off to find them. The library was quiet, since it was summer, and the number of students on campus was minimal. I liked it, enjoying the peace. I’d never been great at school, but there was something about books I’d always loved. Searching for one was my favorite kind of treasure hunt.
Taking the elevator to the seventh floor, I stepped out onto the dim floor and set my bag on a nearby table. Scanning the shelves, I walked up and down the back rows and grazed my finger over the spines.
“B4294.4, B4294.6… so where’s B4294.5?” I mumbled, my brows creasing. Turning, I smacked into a chest for the second time today.
However, this time, the momentum sent us sprawling toward the floor. The chest I’d run into turned their body, so I hit them instead of the ground.
“We gotta stop meeting like this, Adams.” The cute guy from earlier smirked up at me.
Humiliation smacked me in the chest, and I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. “Are you carrying a magnet in your pocket? Should I be worried I have a stalker? ”
“Um, no.” He shifted, and my eyes widened at the press of something hard against my legs. This time his cheeks pinked, and we jumped apart, rolling off in different directions. I kept my face hidden as I picked up the books he’d been carrying.
“It… I meant… joke,” I stuttered.
“Yep. I need that stairwell now.”
Laughter bubbled out, and I lifted my eyes to meet his. Amusement danced in his hazel orbs, and he joined in, our laughter echoing around the quiet floor.
“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to perv on you or anything.”
“You didn’t,” I paused, then finished my thought. “I’m flattered, actually.” I blushed, dropping my eyes.
“So, does that mean I can get your number, Adams?”
“You really want it?” I asked, looking up and assessing him. He frowned and reached over to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed my cheek, and goosebumps rose all over my body.
“I don’t ask for things I don’t want.”
I kept searching his eyes, waiting for the punchline. When nothing came, I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I’m Emerson.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Emerson. Can I call you Emmy?”
“No!” His eyes widened, and I wondered if there was a record for blushing in an hour. “Sorry, not a fan.”
“Okay, no worries. What about…” he paused, scanning my face, “Mer?”
I didn’t know if it was how he said it or if I just wanted to rebrand myself at Hayward, but I liked it.
“Yeah. Mer’s good.”
He smiled, and all the oxygen left the space between us, making me glad I was still close to the ground in case I passed out.
“Well, Mer, I’m Colter, and you can call me whatever you want. Wait, scratch that.” He cringed. “That sounded smoother in my head.” His ears pinked. “ Stop being a pervert,” he mumbled to himself, but because of our proximity, I still heard it.
I giggled, enjoying how awkward he appeared to be. The guy was gorgeous, so seeing him stumble with words eased my anxiety. I gave him my number, and he sent me an 8-ball emoji. I laughed, saving him in my phone as Magic 8-ball. If Hope ever got ahold of it, I didn’t want her to know who I talked to. I didn’t believe her for one second that she would leave me alone after giving her my room. Vigilance was key when it came to bullies, and she’d use any information she could against me. I was tired of her taking everything, so I’d need to find someone who knew how to better secure my stuff.
Stuffing my phone back into my pocket, I picked up the last book. “Oh! This is the book I was searching for!”
“You’re in luck, then. I was about to put it on the shelf.”
“Wait, you work here?” I asked, standing with him.
“Yep. Work study.”
“Nice. I decided earlier that this was my new favorite place, so I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Colter.”
“I hope so, Mer.” He winked, and I waved as I headed back to the front to grab my stuff.
As I neared the front, I spotted a lone red rose resting on top of my bag. My blood ran cold at the sight. It was the same type of rose Hope used to leave in my locker at Dance Expressions. Glancing around, I scanned the area, but didn’t find anyone loitering. History told me Hope wouldn’t be here. If she delivered it, she’d be long gone to cover her tracks, but more than likely, she had one of her minions follow me and wait for the perfect opportunity.
Squashing the petals in my hand, I dropped them into the trash and took the stairs to the next floor for the other book. This time, I hurried along, carrying all my books despite their weight. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to try another day or get it from the bookstore when it was back in stock. I needed to get out of here before I jumped out of my skin. Leave it to Hope to ruin another place for me.
I took the elevator down to the front, glancing around at everyone as I checked them out. I didn’t spot anyone familiar, but I’d been gone for two years. There was no telling who Hope had to do her bidding now. My phone pinged as I stepped out of the library with a text from Rose.
Rose: I’ll be late, so I got you another ride. They’ll meet you in the faculty lot.
Sighing, I headed to where we’d parked earlier, hoping it was my dad and not Hope. I’d rather pay for an Uber with the last of my money to drive me back to Oak Hills than spend time in a car with her.
By the time I reached the lot, my arms ached, and sweat beaded on my forehead and lower back. Carrying all the books across campus was not my idea of fun. Geez, I’d really slacked on my fitness this summer. I needed to fix that if I had any hope of making the dance team.
A black truck idled in the parking lot, and my gut sank with every step I took toward it. It wasn’t Hope, but I wasn’t sure the alternative was any better after last night.
Holden .