Chapter 16

Lily

Alex affected my life more than I wanted. I loved my college classes, but when Monday came around, I dreaded Cost Accounting so much that I wanted to skip it. If it were earlier in the semester, I might have, but I couldn’t risk missing out on anything so close to the final. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't let trivial things like boys and parties overshadow my dreams. And here I was, hiding out under my covers, snoozing my alarm clock three times!

“O-M-G,” Amber croaked. “Turn it off or get up.”

“Sorry,” I said, flipping the alarm off. I rolled out of bed and checked the time. I always got up early, so I still had time to shower. I was quiet as a mouse and Amber was back asleep when I came back to the room to change.

I went to the student union for breakfast, checking over my shoulder every few seconds. Avoiding Alex was easy enough when he lived off campus, but I couldn't be too careful. He always seemed to find me when I didn’t want him to.

I hid in the corner, my chair blocked by a small wall while I sipped my coffee and munched on a blueberry muffin. I had a good view of anyone who came into the building and Alex wasn’t one of them.

I timed it perfectly so that I arrived in class right before Professor Tarrington closed the door. I perfected the technique last time Alex and I were on the outs. I wondered if that was my new schedule for the rest of the year. We didn’t have that many classes left, so I didn’t mind so much.

I avoided looking in his direction when I entered the room.

For the duration of the class, I leaned my head against my open left hand so I wouldn’t be tempted.

The last five minutes were torturous. As quietly as possible, I sneaked my notebook and textbook into my bag so by the time class ended I was the first out the door.

I didn’t look back until I heard him calling my name outside my dorm. I glanced up and saw him already standing at the door.

I froze. “How did you get here so quickly?”

“You know I’m a track star, right?” he said with a smirk.

“What do you want?” I asked, grabbing my keys. I brushed past him and shoved the key into the lock.

“Why have you been avoiding me?”

“I’m not,” I said, pulling open the door.

He moved his body to block me from getting through the doorway. “That’s bullshit. What happened to you the other night? You said you were coming to the party. I know you got my texts and phone calls. I was worried.”

“I don’t feel like going to frat parties anymore,” I said. “They’re boring and stupid.”

Wow, I sounded childish, but I wasn’t able to think clearly with him so close to me.

A frown shaped his lips, and then he shrugged. “That’s your opinion, even though it's in the minority.”

I scoffed. “Is that all?”

His hand gripped the door harder. “No, that’s not all. Screw the parties, can we still spend time together?”

Bret’s words about Alex using me flew to the front of my mind. All weekend I thought about them, turning them over in my head, wondering if I could be mistaken about Alex. I wasn’t. It was stupid to think that I could fool around with Alex and not get hurt. Now I knew better.

I tried to deny my feelings for him, but I couldn’t anymore. He was incredibly sweet but surrounded himself with girls and partying, showing off the fact that he didn’t care about me. He only used me to get a good grade in class.

If we spent any more time together, then I was sure to fall for him even more, and I couldn't do that. Not when I knew I’d be setting myself up for disappointment. If I fell head over heels for him, then he would surely break my heart in two. And I was too smart to do that.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t see you anymore.”

He shook his head and his lips parted slightly “Lily, I don’t—”

I took his momentary distraction and pushed into the building. “Goodbye Alex.” I closed the second door behind me so he couldn’t follow. I had to end the conversation before I said something I regretted. For the sake of my heart, I had to let him go.

Alex didn’t text or call me over the next couple days. He finally got the hint that I didn’t want to see or hear from him. As much as that hurt, it was necessary. He probably had another girl on the line the moment we ended our conversation.

I knew he would do fine on the final in Cost Accounting. He didn’t need me as much as he thought.

Amber was kind to me throughout the whole ordeal. I opened up to her more than I ever did and we became closer because of it. She offered some stories about high school and boys who broke her heart and vice versa.

We were headed to the cafeteria for dinner when I heard someone calling my name.

My heart leaped. I wished Alex would take the hint! Didn’t he know what he was doing to me?

I whirled around, expecting to tell him that when I came face to face with Bret.

“Bret!” I said. “Hi.” He was alone, my heart sank.

Amber nudged my arm and her eyebrows lifted in surprise. I could practically hear the words in her head about me snagging two frat guys. President and Vice President nonetheless.

What she didn’t know is that I wanted neither of them.

“I haven’t seen you in forever,” Bret chirped.

“I saw you Saturday,” I said.

He chuckled. “That’s how much I missed you.”

Missed me? What was he getting at?

“Will I see you at the Mistletoe Meltdown on Saturday?” he asked.

Amber gave me a look, knowing that decision was up to me. If this happened weeks ago, she would have forced me. But she understood how uncomfortable it would be for me to show up at Alex’s house.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.” As much as Bret ruined the intimate moments between Alex and me, he was still hot and admittedly made me a little nervous. I hoped he wouldn’t push me about this.

“No way.” Bret stuck his lower lip out in a pout. “You’re the guest of honor.”

I shot a look at him. “Guest of honor?”

He bobbed his head and stepped closer to me.

Tingles shot through my body, but not the good kind.

“The service you provided to our president earned you that honor.”

“Services?” Amber asked.

I rolled my eyes. She always defaulted to the dirty side of any phrasing. “Tutoring. His grades have improved.”

“Yes, they have,” Bret said, affirming my statement. “So, you see, you need to be there. If you aren’t, then the whole party will be ruined.”

I snorted. “I doubt that. Your thanks is good enough for me.”

Something flashed in Bret’s eyes. Disappointment or anger. I couldn’t tell. He’d have no reason to be angry with me. He seemed like the type of guy who always got his way.

“There’s also a special surprise for you,” he said.

“A surprise?” Amber asked, grinning at me. “Then you have to go.”

Bret nodded. “Listen to your friend. I promise you will love it.”

I sighed, debating my options. Was Alex a part of this surprise? Was this my last chance to remain friends with him? It would make the last few weeks of classes a little less awkward.

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll be there.”

Bret’s face split into a wide grin. “Perfect.”