Chapter 3 #2
Suddenly it occurs to me I should have asked that girl more questions about the Kings, as she called them, or really about anything at Pointebreak.
I literally have no clue what I’m walking into.
I pass other students, most not paying attention to me as they talk with friends, or in one case that has my face burning up—a couple in a very public, private moment together that includes her on her knees in front of him.
He glances up at me and winks before threading his fingers through her hair, pulling her closer to him.
She’s only partially hidden behind the bushes, and it doesn’t take a genius to know what’s happening.
I quicken my step and rub my cheeks, willing the red staining to disappear.
Oh, my God! I can’t believe I just saw that!
There’s no way that’s a normal occurrence around here.
And where are the teachers or staff to stop that?
The sign for Belknap Hall is straight ahead. I give a cursory glance around me to make sure I’m not being followed by the three grumps before I climb the steps to the building. When I’m satisfied I'm alone, I glance down at the paper for my room number and make my way up the few flights of stairs.
Jesus, I’m going to die before I get to my room.
My muscles are straining from the exertion of trying to pull my heavy bag up the steps.
One step. Pull. One step. Pull. On and on, as I slowly ascend the stairs.
I stop on the landing between the second and third floor, looking up while stretching and rubbing my arm before I attempt the last flight.
“Hey, let me help you with that,” a male voice says cheerfully from behind me.
I spin on my heel with an automatic smile on my face in appreciation.
Another thing that was ingrained in me. Always be grateful for help from anyone.
But in this case, I really am thankful. I didn’t think I packed that much, but I know I filled this thing to the brim and it easily weighs half of me.
My smile dwindles as my mouth pops open in surprise. Are all the guys here just flat out gorgeous? I quickly close my mouth and clear my throat. “Um…thank you. The help would be great. I’m on the third floor.” I gesture up the stairs to the next landing.
“No problem. Hi, I’m Nate Halpin.” He extends his hand out in front of him for me to shake.
I place my much smaller one in his and warmth floods through me.
It’s a strange feeling. Almost like my body recognizes him as a friend, or someone who is genuine.
I glance down at our hands and swallow. Lightly tugging mine back until he releases it.
“I’m Riley Whittier. Nice to meet you.”
Completely unfazed, he continues, “I live on the fourth floor. You a first year? I haven’t seen you before.”
He grabs my bag as I nod and we climb the stairs as he continues.
“I’m a second-year student. I’m learning everything so I can take over my father’s business.
It’s an excellent school, but hard.” He glances at the paper in my hand and stops down the hall in front of my door.
“You’ll catch on quick. It’s not so bad here. ”
Not so bad. Now that sounds like a winning argument for Pointebreak.
A thought dawns on me as I observe him. “Did you want to come here, Nate?”
He narrows his eyes, confusion written on his face, but nods absentmindedly, a scoff leaving his mouth. “Of course. Both my parents graduated from Pointebreak. There was never another option. I’m hoping to follow in their footsteps,” he says proudly.
I nod my head, not wanting to pry too much yet. I can’t tip my hand on the first day. “Thanks for the help, Nate. I appreciate it.”
His face brightens with my words. “There’s a bonfire tonight as a welcome for all the new students. Wanna go with me?”
I lick my bottom lip and pull it between my teeth as I think about what James told me about not trusting people here.
It’s a school event. What’s the worst that can happen?
My lips curved into a relaxed, comfortable smile. “Sure. I’d like that.”
He grins from ear to ear. “Good. I’ll pick you up here at seven.”
I wave as he walks away and slide the key into the lock, pushing open the door to my new life.
I don’t know what I expected, but what’s here is definitely not it.
It’s, dare I say, stunning? I enter the room and let the door swing closed behind me as I stare at the paintings on one side and the freshly made bed.
Two beds, two desks with a chair, large windows that span the length of one wall, and an armoire that fills the length of the other wall.
The only thing missing is the bathroom, and I’m sure I passed that on the way to my room.
I do wish there was a private bathroom, but I suppose this will make it feel more like a true college experience.
The space is much bigger than I thought it would be, but I have a roommate.
I’ve never had to share a room before. Even going to Dartmouth, I had a single room guaranteed.
This should be interesting. I hope I like her.
I can’t imagine being stuck here with a roommate I can’t stand.
Please let me like her. I send a silent prayer up.
Glancing to my side, I see two boxes sitting on the bed.
One has the Pointebreak emblem on it, so I assume those are my uniforms, but as I walk closer to the other box, I see it came from home.
I dig a pen out of my purse and jab it through the tape, dragging it down so I can pull the box open.
On top is an envelope with dad’s writing.
I ignore it for a moment, not wanting to read his loving words when he couldn’t even be bothered to drop me off.
I rub my hand over my chest, trying to ward off the pang of sadness that lands there as a lump forms in my burning throat.
The unread note lands on the bed, and I unpack a new pair of sheets, comforter, and pillow.
I look at the bare twin sized bed and I’m thankful because I didn’t even think about bedding in my haste to pack.
I glance at the letter again and sigh, taking a seat on the edge of the mattress.
The kind gesture makes me warm and I pull the pillow out of the box and smash it to my chest, hugging it tight as I pick up the letter.
My finger works its way under the sealed corner and I pull the note free.
Riley,
I hate how we left things. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to help you move in, but I couldn’t move these meetings.
Pointebreak will be an excellent choice for you.
I’m sorry it had to be this way, but you will find out soon enough why it was necessary.
Make friends and study hard. I’ll see you for Christmas break. I love you.
Dad
I just wish it was a choice I made and not a choice I had made for me.
If I had wanted to come here, I might have felt a thrill of excitement, instead of the dread that settles deep in my stomach.
The door clicks open and a girl around my height with brown curly hair steps through.
“Oh, you’re here!” Her smile is infectious and I can’t help when my own spreads widely as I stand and offer my hand to her.
“Hi, I’m Riley Whittier.” She takes my hand and bats it away, pulling me into a hug instead. She looks so familiar but I can’t place her.
“I’m so excited to meet you, Riley.” She pushes out from the hug, holding on to my upper arms to look at my face. “I’m Ava Fedorov. Where are you from? Why did you decide to come here? What kind of music do you like?”
She fires questions at me without taking a moment to breathe between them, and I laugh.
The first genuine laugh I’ve had with anyone besides Leah.
Things around the house were tense, and I hardly saw dad before I left today.
It’s like he was avoiding me. Leah saw me off this morning, and I tried hard not to cry when it was time to leave.
A few errand tears escaped and slid down my cheeks as James pulled away from the house, but I channeled that energy as quickly as I could to prepare for today.
It’s been very emotional, and right now I am grateful to have someone to be excited and happy to be here. Her personality is bubbly and my anxiety eases for the first time since I’ve arrived.
“Um,” I try to think of the questions she asked in what order so I can answer them for her. “I’m from around here. My dad forced me to come, and I listen to anything but rap.”
Her smile fades and her brows pinch together as she mulls over my words. “He forced you to come here?” I nod. “Why?”
I attempt to give her a small smile, but miss my mark.
“That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?
” She stares at me as I shift my weight under her gaze, my face warming.
All I have are more questions and no answers.
Finally, when I can’t take the silence anymore, I change the subject.
“Did you paint these?” I motion to the paintings hung around her side of the room.
Her gaze follows mine and her face brightens again with a smile.
“Yes, do you like them? I can take them down if you don’t. They make me happy. Painting is the escape I have when things can become too…much. Do you know what I mean?”
I give her a small shrug and nod my head.
I know what it's like to have an outlet, but I’ve never described it as when things become too much.
“Yeah, makes sense. Listen, I know nothing about Pointebreak.
Will you give me the lowdown so I know what I'm walking into? My day has been…odd so far, and I would appreciate any insight. If you know, that is.”
Her smile lights her face. “You and I are gonna be good friends, Riley. Let’s get your room set up.”