v

you tran

d in Brad's hand felt like a sentence, and the invis

face in my neck, completely missing the way my entire body had gone rigid. "Are

him to go back, to leave, to give me space to breathe. But how

s eager, puppy-dog eyes. "But... what about your dream? You got into an Ivy League school. Your parents

g over my cheekbones. "My parents know that you're all I dream about, A

rt squ

ion of a future wife, he loved me. He really, truly loved me. He had thrown away a prestigious

red against his shoulder

anic remained. I didn't want him here. I needed this college to be my fresh start, a p

ame campus, the ticking time bomb of my

that maybe transferring was too hasty, th

ic

door deadbolt unlocki

s the heavy woode

, waist-length blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and legs that went on for miles. She was clad in designer de

me to Brad, who was still standing

voice light and melodic. She set her suitcase down

's hand and offering a polite smile as I shook

a second too long. "Nice to meet you both. Lov

artment at this school is a joke. I registered late for sophomore housing, so they overflowed me into

relieved. Having an older roommate meant

d year one."

ate. "Yeah, actually, I should probably head out. I have to go check in at the transfer student office and get

d luck," I

od and slipped out, clos

th a mix of mischief and curiosity. "So, Brad seems really nice," she sa

, actually," I admitt

hearts. That's seriously rare these days. It's sw

ed, staring at t

gleaming with sudden interest. "Please tell me the drama. Were

didn't know this girl. My instinct was to put my defensive "good girl" walls right back up, but the

've been together since we were kids. I thought coming to college would give me a little bi

ng surprisingly pensive. She sat down on the edge of her unmade mattress, her gaze dr

her, surpris

Even if he doesn't fully understand what you need right now. It's rare to find a guy who will c

ds now, her shoulders slightly tense. It felt like she wasn't really talking abo

I couldn't hel

hadow on her face vanished so quickly I wondered if I had imagine

with a shrug. "And I'll be even bet

"I thought you said

s she opened her suitcase. "But the hockey team always makes an appea

ed out of my mouth be

ic hoodie. She held it against her chest for a second, her expression a mix o

back in bold white let

e it, the nam

voice dropping to a whisper. "Liam.

It felt like it physicall

gorgeous sophomore. The girl sharing my space, s

?" I choked out, the air in my

mall, bittersweet smile, clutching the hoodie tightly. "We had a massive fight before the semester