Chapter 3
three
Thea
I walk down the stairs with a feeling of nervousness and excitement.
Today is my first official day at NU. Even though I moved five days ago and have visited campus to pick up my schedule, I’ve not met any of my new classmates yet.
I’m excited to start my studies, learn about something I’m passionate about, and put it all to good use in tried and tested recipes for my roommates.
But I’m also nervous, as I’m very much aware I’m essentially starting again and joining a class with other new students.
Of course, there is the fear I won’t fit in, but I’m hoping we’ll all develop some sort of camaraderie between us.
I can already hear the enthusiastic chatter from the kitchen as I get to the main level.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned quickly, it’s the fact my roommates have enough personality to fill a stadium.
Well, three of them do. The fourth, I’m still trying to figure out.
Nolan is the joker of the group, always coming up with the one-liners and has the ability to instantly put anyone at ease.
Devon is his right-hand man, counterbalancing Nolan’s outrageousness with a sense of calm; and then, of course, there’s Jude.
Everyone’s friend, confidante, and all-round good guy.
I may be biased—he’s my brother after all—but I honestly couldn’t name someone as genuine and loving as Jude.
One day, he’ll make a damn good partner and father.
And then we have Kyler: quietly spoken and noticeably absent.
I wish I knew more about my fourth roommate, but despite our early morning conversation on my first night here, I’ve not crossed paths with him since.
If I was the paranoid type, I’d think he was avoiding me.
Always coming home after everyone’s gone to sleep, and leaving before dawn, it’s almost as if he has some kind of secret life when he’s not in school or playing hockey.
Or the boys weren’t exaggerating when they said he keeps to himself.
He really isn’t the sociable type. Not for the first time, I wonder how a guy like him is friends with the other three—they’re polar opposites in terms of personality.
Maybe it’s why their relationship works so well.
As I walk into the kitchen, I’m greeted by the boisterous sound of “Thea!” simultaneously shouted by Nolan, Devon, and Jude.
Yet again, Kyler is not with them, and yet again, I am slightly disappointed.
It would have been nice to have a house breakfast on our first day, so we can talk about what to expect, plus I need all the good luck vibes I can get.
As if sensing my disappointment, Devon explains his absence.
“Don’t take it personally, Thea. Kyler’s never here for any meals. If he wasn’t on the team, I’d forget what he looks like.”
I smile at his reassurance as I reply, “Honestly, if I did not bump into him on my first night, I’d have assumed he was some kind of imaginary friend to the three of you and he doesn’t actually exist.”
“No such luck,” Nolan chips in. “He definitely exists, especially on the ice. If it wasn’t for him, we’d probably be annihilated on a regular basis.”
“Good to know, maybe I should check in with him there to find out if he’ll be joining in any of our household dinners in the future.”
I grab a bowl and some fruit and begin chopping it up before adding it to my granola and yogurt. It might not be the breakfast of champions needed to calm first day nerves, but it works for me.
“You all set for your first day?” Jude asks as he walks behind me and gives me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulders.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell him.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Dr. Carmichael is a great teacher, so she’ll definitely put you at ease. By all accounts, everyone loves her class.”
“Been doing some research there, Jude?” I ask with a smile. This is typical Jude, always checking out a situation to ensure his friends and family will be okay and fit in. I really am blessed to have him as a brother.
“You know it, and don’t pretend you’re not a little relieved I did,” he tells me as he rinses off his plate and puts it in the dishwasher. “We leave in twenty minutes. You okay with that?”
“Yes sir, I’ll be ready,” I tell him as he walks out the kitchen with the others.
The trouble with moving colleges? I don’t have my own car.
When I was in Silver Lake, Adam pretty much drove us everywhere.
Truth be told, it worked for us due my lack of vehicle, and Adam has a top-of-the-line car thanks to his dad.
However, Adam’s not an option in Northport, so I have to depend on Jude to be my designated driver.
He loves his Jeep though, so I know he doesn’t mind, and he’s already said I can use it when I need to.
Just as I’m gathering my bag, my phone sounds with a new text message, and I see it’s from Adam.
Adam:
Good luck on your first day. You’ll rock it!
Thank you. I’m so nervous. Wish you were here with me.
Adam:
Nah, Jude will look after you, I’m sure. Talk later! LY x
I reply with an “I love you too” together with a heart-eye emoji and close my app.
I’d hoped to speak to Adam instead so he could help calm my nerves, but we keep missing each other’s calls.
He told me the other day his dad has asked him to work on a huge new project for him, and along with Adam’s ongoing coursework, it’s taking up most of his time.
I get it. His dad is training him to take over the company.
I just didn’t expect it to be so intense this early.
“Okay, let’s do this,” Jude says as he walks down the stairs. “Time for you to take Northport University by storm!” He, Devon, and Nolan all file out after me and he locks the door.
“Wow, no pressure then,” I tell him.
“Nah, you’re my sis, you’ll be fine.”
I hope he’s right.
* * *
Turns out, my first day isn’t going too bad, so far.
Jude was right about Dr. Carmichael, and she instantly put me at ease.
I had already met the head of the department a few days ago when I picked up my coursework and Dr. Carmichael is his second in charge, so to speak.
Her enthusiasm about the course is infectious, and it’s impossible for it not to rub off on her students.
I left my morning class with an excitement in my belly about what I’ll be learning and the reassurance I’ve made the right choice.
On my way to the cafeteria, I text Adam with a quick update about my day and how much I love the nutrition program.
When I get there, the space looks daunting.
There are so many faces I don’t know and wish Jude, Devon, or Nolan were here to hold my hand this one time.
While our schedules won’t match every day, today is the one day we could have lunch together, but the guys have a hockey meeting and hockey comes first.
After choosing a salad, some fruit, and a drink, I sit myself down at a vacant table toward the end of the dining hall.
Jude’s advice may have been to take Northport University by storm, but I draw the line at being the center of attention on my first day.
I’m two bites into my salad when a tray lands opposite mine.
“Girl? Same,” is all the person says before they sit down.
I look up to find a girl, probably around my age, sitting in front of me. She has pale pink hair styled into a choppy shoulder length bob, bright blue eyes, and dark purple lipstick.
“I’m sorry, what?” I offer by way of reply, my curiosity taking the bait. She points to my salad with her fork before indicating back to her tray of food.
“Taking the safe option with the salad. I don’t blame you.
Honestly, I like mac and cheese, but having to eat their version of it every day is enough to put you off for life.
NU is great for a lot of things, but their dining options are not one of them.
Actually, I usually try to get something to eat at The Pit if I have time, or at Cool Beans on campus.
Alas, today I’m running late, so had to take what they offered. ”
This girl is like a walking, talking hurricane, and it takes me a minute to catch up with her monologue on the dining options available. My lack of response doesn’t go unnoticed as she looks up at me before taking her next bite.
“Oh, sorry, my bad. I forgot to introduce myself. Millie Kennedy. Nineteen, drama and English major. And you’re Thea Jenson, right?”
Millie holds her hand out toward me and after a second, I take it. I can’t help but be intrigued by her and she seems harmless enough. Her effervescent energy is enough to put anyone at ease.
“Nice to meet you, Millie Kennedy,” I say, mimicking her style of introduction. “Yes, I’m Thea Jenson, also nineteen, and nutrition and dietetics major. I’m intrigued where you got your intel from.”
“Don’t sweat it, it’s nothing too sinister.
Dr. Carmichael is my advisor, and she told me today’s your first day.
Well, been there, done that last year and girl, let me tell you, a solo dining hall experience is not for the fainthearted.
So, here I am, your knight—I mean lady—in shining armor, ready to rescue you from the horror. ”
“Well, thank you. It’s nice to be rescued I guess, especially since my brother and roommates can’t come to my aid.” I may be joking with my response, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t relieved by Millie’s impromptu introduction.
“Ah yes, Jude Jenson, Nolan Fisher, and Devon Cooper, all star players on Northport’s ice hockey team. And of course, not to mention the enigma himself, Mr. Kyler Rose, amiright?”
It’s obvious Dr. Carmichael gave Millie more than just the bare bones of my arrival at NU, given she knows who I live with.
I find myself grateful someone else is happy to look out for me.
It also doesn’t escape my notice Millie has described Kyler as an enigma.
It’s a relief it’s not just me who can’t work the guy out—he’s clearly left his mark on his fellow students here and I wonder if Millie can shed any light on my fourth roommate.
“Yeah, what’s with Kyler? I’ve been here for five days and met him once. Like, he’s never at the house. I hardly see him.”
Millie shrugs as she finishes her salad, and then opens a candy bar and takes a bite. She seems to contemplate her answer and doesn’t offer any information until she’s finished chewing.
“Honestly, you know about as much about him as the rest of us. He turns up for classes, goes to practice when required and then disappears off campus. Some have seen him working behind a bar on the Boardwalk, but other than that, he keeps to him—”
“Self,” I finish for her. This seems to be the standard MO for describing Kyler. I wonder if anyone actually knows anything about him, apart from what I’ve already learned.
Millie gives a knowing smile before continuing. “He’s hot though, huh?”
“I hadn’t noticed,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh please, you can tell yourself whatever you want, but don’t tell me you just didn’t want to run your hands through his mussed-up hair and lose yourself in those dreamy green eyes of his?”
I can’t tell if Millie is joking or not, but I know a lady who doth protests too much is a lady guilty of her crimes.
“Sure,” I say with a roll of the eyes and a smile. “If only I had enough time to do that in the brief meeting I had with him four days ago.”
“Well, at least you had a meeting. Some of us are still waiting for the honor.” She pauses before continuing. “I’m kidding, of course.”
Millie stands up with her empty tray and I follow her, getting ready to go to my next class.
“Hey, you want to head down to the Boardwalk after class? They have the best crab shack there and I feel it’s a rite of passage every new resident has to try it out.”
“Sure,” I say. “But I need to drop by the rink first to let my brother know. He’s my ride or die at the moment.”
“So, we’ll invite him and the others along. The more the merrier. Here, take my number. Text me when you’re done, and I’ll meet you.”
She reads out her number and I program it into my phone, then send her a text so she has my contact details. She waves and whirlwinds toward the drama building, leaving me thankful I’ve found a new friend.
* * *
A few hours later, Millie and I walk into the rink.
It’s clear practice is winding up, but not before the coach has the team doing a few more drills on the ice.
I’ve seen the team play before so know what to expect, but I find my eyes are drawn to the figure at the end of the group.
He’s easily in the lead and skating as if his life depends on it.
The name “Rose” on the back of his shirt tells me all I need to know.
“Like I said, an enigma,” Millie says quietly. “Elusive during the day but a demon on the ice. He owns this team, and they all know it.”
I continue watching, my eyes drawn to this guy who’s so adept, so lightweight on his feet.
He’s a dichotomy on the ice—like a hardcore figure skater—making every corner, every stroke of his blade look featherweight.
He has the focus and determination of someone who will take no prisoners and won’t stop until the puck hits the back of the net.
To say I’m mesmerized is an understatement.
Even Jude doesn’t hold my attention this strongly when he’s playing.
The coach blows his whistle to signify the end of training and the players congregate at the edge of the rink, with Kyler being the last to pull up.
Even now, he stands slightly separate to the others, refraining from the back patting at the great session they’ve just had.
Slowly he removes his helmet and shakes his head and immediately I’m taken back to Millie’s comments at lunch.
She’s right, his hair does need taming but it’s because it’s wet and sweaty from training.
When he looks up and our eyes meet, I realize Millie’s clearly undersold them.
They’re the type that can pierce you to the spot, like a dagger to the heart with one fleeting glance, and while I can’t comment on the beauty of their shade of green from this distance, I already know they are the type of eyes that will take no prisoners.
Maybe it’s a good thing he’s elusive because I, for one, cannot afford to be distracted.
Damn, Millie was right about him.