Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“It’s not far,” he sighs, tapping the hood before backing away. “I’m gonna call you, Luci,” he threatens. “A lot.”
Chapter 1
-Luci-
It’s been a week since Josh and I went to dinner, and he hasn’t called. I realize that compared to the two and a half years we haven’t talked this is nothing. However, if I’m honest, I was secretly hoping to maybe get together again before spring semester starts. Being around him was oddly soothing, and of course I can’t stop thinking about him, or looking at his number in my phone.
Stupid, I know.
People say you have someone important in your life when you can reconnect with them easily. When picking up with them right where you left off, even after being apart for a long time, comes naturally.
Maybe he’s changed his mind since dinner?
I feel let down as Gracie helps me pack up my beat up silver convertible.
“I’m really sorry, Luci,” She pleads for the umpteenth time.
I cross my arms, watching as she stuffs my last laundry bag in the trunk before slamming it shut. “Things were rough when you left. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was! I couldn’t even mention his name to you!” She explains. “If I actually told you I started talking to him I risked you hating me!” She sighs, looking at me with puppy dog eyes. “Besides, I missed you so much. You never came home, and talking to him sort of made me feel closer to you.”
I sigh loudly.
“And he was so pathetic,” she defends. “I mean, like, sooooo sad.”
“It’s okay,” I place my hand on her shoulder.
“I was just trying to do what was right. I didn’t know what to do!” Her face is scrunched in that classic Gracie don’t be mad at me way. “And it’s not like I could ask you or anyone else for advice!”
“It’s okay,” I roll my eyes.
“Ugh he didn’t have to rat me out though,” she stomps her foot. “What a jerk!”
I laugh, pulling her into a hug. “I better hit the road.”
“Wait!” She leaps. “Now that you’re done sulking over my betrayal, you never told me how it went!”
“It went,” I shrug before hopping behind the wheel.
“Luciiiiii,” she groans. “At least give me some sort of indication on what Monday is going to bring!”
“You’ve already seen him all week at school!” I laugh as my car barely roars to life.
“But he won’t tell me anything!” She whines. “Trust me, I tried.”
“Well,” I sigh. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re just friends. If you’d even call it that.”
“But he’s not married anymore!” She jumps. “And the kid wasn’t his!”
“Gra-”
“And he’s told me at least a million times that he’s sorry and that he regrets everything, and that he should’ve-”
“I don’t want to hear it!” I shout, plugging my ears.
“Oh well that’s mature!” She laughs, poking her head through the window.
“Look, I have a long drive.” I put the car in reverse as we say our goodbyes.
I throw the cassette tape into the dashboard as I hook up my CD player, inching along as I hit what seems to be every piece of construction on I-90. My four-hour journey has turned into almost six, and when I finally pull up to my dorm all I take out of my car is a pillow and a sheet.
I shout hello to my best friend and suitemate, Ren, before heading to my room, exhausted.
“Luci?” Ren knocks, opening my door without waiting for my answer.
“I had the worst drive,” I tell her as I make my bed.
“Where’s all your stuff?”
“In my car.” I sigh, frustrated as the sheet springs up as soon as I push the other side down. “Mother fucker,” I whisper, fixing it, and as soon as I do, the other side pops back up.
“Fuck it!” I scream as I roll the sheet into a ball and throw it.
“Hey now,” Ren bends over, picking up my discarded linen, handing me one side while keeping the other. “What’s your deal?”
She holds down her side as I place mine over the odd sized college mattress. “There we go,” she smiles. “So… what’s going on?”
“What?” I fall into my hard, uncomfortable wooden desk chair. “Nothing,” I shrug. “Just tired. It was a weird break.”
“Lucinda!” She calls me by my full name, knowing that I’m not telling her something.
“Renata!” I teasingly reply.
“Luke came by asking if you were back yet, on the hour, every hour,” she crosses her arms and hops up onto my bed. “He said he barely even spoke to you all break!”
“I should get to bed,” I stand. “I have an early class.”
“You’re always so strange after you go home,” she hesitates. “Does it have to do with that teacher?”
“What makes you say that?” I curse under my breath, realizing I forgot my comforter in the car.
“Because everything with you always has to do with that teacher.”