1. Bailey
one
Bailey
University of Arkansas, Senior Year
“Fuck a duck,” I growl as the handle on my brand-new suitcase snaps in half, sending everything I own rolling down the hill in front of my dorm. It’s our first day back for our senior year of college and it’s off to a great fucking start.
“Bays, you can’t be serious right now, that thing just Ricky Bobby’d its way out of here,” Liam sputters through a laugh. His suitcase still mindful in the way that it stays the fuck together and isn’t careening down the pavement right now.
Good thing there aren’t one hundred other students outside to witness this disaster. Oh, wait. Yes, the fuck there are—and yes, they’re watching the entire scene unfold. All of them getting a good laugh at my expense.
Happy to be of service.
“Oh my god, Bays, even your luggage knows you have commitment issues.” Nat can barely finish her sentence because she’s laughing so hard tears are streaming down her face.
I roll my eyes as my shoulders slump in defeat. “You guys are dicks,” I mutter before I take off, jogging to catch the damn thing.
Get one with wheels, they said. It'll be easier to move, they said.
Liam shouts after me, “Do you need to wear my class ring for a few days? It always makes Nat feel better.”
“It’s true.” Nat joins him. “I wore it when I took my organic chem test and aced it. It’s fool proof.”
I laugh at their ridiculous banter.
I worried I might end up regretting the decision to go to the same university as these two, even though I can’t imagine having survived without them. From the moment the new girl in her Ninja Turtles t-shirt shared her Gushers with us in middle school, we were inseparable.
I glance back at them and I accept my fate, slowing my run to a walk as the case finally runs its course and falls over with a pathetic thud.
I watch Liam whisper something to Nat, and a smile cracks across her face like sunlight.
I smile to myself, collect my now-broken suitcase, and shake my head.