“I just paid the rent,” she says, glancing around and smiling.“You haven’t started unpacking?What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” I say, standing.“I’ll start now.”
“Is this about that Bryson kid?”she asks, her tone sharpening.
“Jesus, Mom, that was high school.I regret it, okay?”
“It’s good to hear you regret it.Just don’t make that mistake again.”
“Noted,” I mutter.
Mom helps me unpack, and once we’re done, she gives me a hug and heads out.After she leaves, I quickly shower and throw on dark jeans, my university hoodie, and my old sneakers.Grabbing my backpack, I head out the door, locking it behind me.
I navigate the campus using my phone, but this place is huge.I mean I’ve been here before, but it looks like I haven’t.I’m not too good with new places and it takes me a few days, sometimes weeks, to know directions.Lost in thought, I accidentally bump into someone, knocking their books to the ground.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, scrambling to pick them up.
“No, it’s my fault!”she says.The voice belongs to a petite redhead with striking blue eyes.She’s beautiful, but not in a way that stirs anything inside me.
“I’m Leanne,” she says, extending her hand.
“Cameron,” I reply, shaking it.
“Freshman?”
“Yeah,” I chuckle.
“I’m a sophomore.Where are you headed?I can show you the way.”
“Political science building,” I say, adjusting my glasses.
“Perfect!That’s where I’m going.”She grabs my arm and leads me through the maze of buildings.
I glance down at Leanne’s hand resting on my arm, debating whether I should gently pull away.It’s not that I’ve never been touched by a girl before, but Leanne is practically a stranger, and the contact feels off.
I know I’m not “hot” or “sexy” like the kind of guys girls usually talk about, but I’ve been told more than once that I’m good-looking.The problem is, I’m also a bit of a nerd and painfully awkward in social situations.I’ve never been great with crowds or friends, probably because I’ve never had many of either.
She talks about her major, but I’m too distracted to say much.Her British accent is charming, though.When we reach my class, she smiles.“Maybe we can grab coffee sometime and talk politics?”
“Sure,” I say, not quite sure if she’s asking me out.
She beams, then heads off.
I step out of my third class for the day, feeling completely drained.My stomach grumbles, and exhaustion weighs down every step.All I can think about is food, sleep, and maybe a nap somewhere between the two.As I shuffle along the campus, not really paying attention to where I’m going, I hear a familiar voice call my name.
“Cameron.”
I turn and see Leanne walking toward me with a smile, waving goodbye to a friend as she approaches.
“You just finished class?”she asks.
“Yeah,” I reply, barely managing a nod.“And I’m exhausted.”
Leanne grins.“You wanna grab something to eat?I know a great café that sells amazing pizza and other good stuff.”
I hesitate, unsure of what I even feel like doing.But then again, making a new friend might not be so bad.“Sure,” I say with a shrug.
We head to the café, and as soon as we step inside, I’m hit with the comforting smell of coffee and fresh pizza.My stomach grumbles again, reminding me how badly I need this.We place our orders—pizza for both of us, though Leanne gets a milkshake while I stick to coffee.If I want to make it back to my apartment without collapsing, I need the caffeine.
