CHAPTER NINE
BIANCA
“Why did you let me drink so much?”
Vanessa groans, glancing over as she wakes up half an hour before we need to meet at the student union, making me more nervous by the minute.
I chuckle. “I didn’t let you, technically. Also, you sleep like the dead. I’ve been trying to wake you for the last ten minutes.” She rolls her eyes at me as she goes over to wash her face.
Picking up her phone, her eyes widen. “Oh, we’re gonna be late!” I shake my packed duffel bag and she gives me a thumbs-up. We rush out of the room and over to our destination.
Well, as best as I can rush with the whole ankle situation.
“C’mon, I know a shortcut.” She grabs my hand as we tuck behind the older buildings in desperate need of renovation.
Last night was a catastrophe, and while it’s still affecting me, Vanessa seems fine.
I drop her hand when Chase and the rest of the group come into view, as everything from last night circles in my mind.
Liam. Liam was the guy she had a thing with, who she wanted me to be a wingwoman for.
She had her hands all over him, and while jealousy coursed up my spine, I realized he’s no one for me to get jealous over.
We’re practically strangers now. All night, I tortured myself as countless scenarios ran through my mind.
He knew her, and for her to be on him like that, crushed me.
He didn’t even try to look for me—not that I made it easy.
Once Chase did what he could for my ankle, I limped as fast as I could out of there.
Thankfully, one of the designated drivers offered me a ride back to Juniper Hall.
Chase and Vanessa start leading us for round two of our tour, but I remain at the back with my head down. We stop at one of the humongous libraries on campus with the mascot statue having water flowing through it. Turning around, Chase shyly waves at me and I upturn my head at him.
Our reunion—Liam and mine—was probably the most disappointing one there could’ve ever been.
Of course, my clumsy side had to show, and then Chase and Vanessa got involved.
For a moment, I thought maybe I was wrong, that this brooding guy standing in front of me wasn’t—couldn’t—be the guy I remembered.
Yet, when the light from inside hit him just right, the swirls in his eyes brought me the warmth I’ve been craving since I moved away.
My ankle was swelling, and a little headache was starting due to the smell of alcohol, but with him . . .
All I wanted to do was stay there while he looked at me. It’s been years since we stopped talking, and I’m over it. Or at least, I thought I was, but last night proved otherwise. Now, he’ll be in my life, going to the same school as me when I start next semester.
I could always avoid him—the university is vast—but I’ve run into him twice already. I hear a laugh, and my attention turns to everyone taking pictures of the beautiful willow tree in the school’s arboretum. Chase and Vanessa are laughing at something and my heart tugs.
They’ve gotten to experience Liam all these years while I haven’t.
I know I had overreacted back then. I was young and dumb, and was feeling left out and jealous.
And now, I’m experiencing it all over again.
I’m sitting at a table with Chase and Vanessa, along with some of their friends in the cafeteria, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt more alone.
I laugh in the right places, smile when someone says my name, nod when someone’s talking, but my heart is bleeding inside.
It’s almost time for orientation to be over, and I’m torn apart.
I’m convincing myself over and over again to accept everything.
At least Liam has friends—more than that, it looks like—and I’m happy for him.
Sighing while stabbing my food, someone bumps their shoulder with mine and I slap on a smile, only to be met with Chase.
“You okay?” he asks, and I sag slightly because he knows what’s wrong. Liam’s probably told him all about me, and I hate that he knows what went down.
“Yeah, all good. Ankle’s feeling better, thankfully.” I divert the conversation and he shakes his head as he adjusts his hat.
“That’s not what I meant.” I shrug, not wanting to talk about it, and he sighs, digging his palms into his eyes. “I swear you and Liam are so alike, it pisses me off.” I look at him in confusion. “You’re both stubborn, and I have no idea what went down between you two. But you two should talk.”
Pushing my tray away, I mutter, “Chase, I’ve known you for two seconds, so drop it.”
He points at that, laughing. “You both even say the same thing, more or less. I think—”
“Leave it alone. He wants nothing to do with me, and neither do I. We’re ghosts of each other’s pasts. Please leave it at that,” I remind him as I get up to go use the bathroom. Closing the door to the stall, I mentally scream.
Curse Liam for making me feel this way.
Curse Chase for reopening an old wound.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket, and I answer, putting it to my ear.
“Bianca, the get-together with a business prospect in Santa Clara has been moved up, and we need to be there. Where are you?” My eyes widen at Mom’s voice, and it seems the universe has decided for me, but a sad sigh still manages to filter out.
“Mom, orientation isn’t over yet.”
“Bianca, he really needs us there. We should want to support him, right? You’re going to this school anyway.”
I close my eyes at that, hanging my head. “I’ll be there soon.” My words betray me. She hangs up, but not before reminding me to hurry, and more weight falls on me. I wash my hands and straighten up as I go back outside. Chase and Vanessa look over at me as I smile at them.
“So, I have no idea if I can do this, but could I check out early with you guys? I need to go.”
Vanessa’s eyebrows furrow, her lips forming a frown. “You can, but why? Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, just family stuff.” I smile again, easing her as much as I can.
The memories hit, tainting the image I had of her when we first met.
She puts my name down as early leave and then hugs me, and I wrap my arms around her.
She was the first person who was kind to me, but now, I can’t even look at her without feeling hurt.
I wave goodbye to everyone and grab my stuff before rushing out of there.
“Harrison, wait!” Chase follows behind me, a sheepish expression on his face. “I’m sorry if what I said offended you. I didn’t mean—”
I stop him. “You’re good, I’m not leaving because of you, I promise.
” He nods, but still looks at me with disbelief, and something comes over me.
He seems like a really good guy, and I’m happy Liam has good friends.
Even after everything, he deserves nothing but the best. “It was nice to meet you, Chase.” Regret clouds his features as his eyes dart around, maybe figuring out how to get me to stay.
He sighs. “See you in the fall, Harrison.” I walk away, my phone vibrating again, Mom probably wanting me to hurry up.