1
Aesira –
As I’m walking off the jet bridge, I can’t help the wide smile that finds its place on my lips. I made it. I actually survived my mother over the years and made it.
I do a little dance when I see Knox and Sabrina waiting for me by baggage claim. Sabrina sees me first; she lets out a squeal and runs toward me. I drop my duffel, doing the same. She jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here!” I giggle while she climbs off me and Knox comes sauntering over.
He wraps me up in his arms and tickles my forehead with his growing beard. “It’s good to see you, squirt.”
I push him back before punching him in the chest. “Shut up, you know I hate it when you call me that.”
He simply shrugs. “No, you don’t.”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a response. And I don’t totally hate it when he calls me my childhood name. It reminds me of the good times we had, before everything went to shit, and I was kidnapped. But more on that another day. Or never. Whichever comes last.
We walk over and wait for my luggage before walking out of the airport. Knox throws my bags in the bed of the truck while Sabrina and I hop into the cab. She scoots into the middle as Knox hops into the driver seat and starts our drive back to Sage.
I watch as Sabrina giggles at something Knox says and leans her head on his shoulder while he places his hand on her thigh. I face the passenger window and watch as the scenery goes by. I’m happy for my brother and his life that he built for himself out here, but there’s a small part of me that feels…resentful?
I can’t be resentful though because the whole reason he went to prison was for me. He’s just trying to have a normal life again. I can’t fault him for that.
We arrive to campus shortly after where I see Phoebe and Phoenix. Phoebe rips the door open and pulls me into a hug. I giggle at her enthusiasm as Knox and Phoenix grab my things from the back of the truck. She eventually let’s go and Sabrina comes to my other side as we make our way up to my dorm.
Knox wasn’t happy about me staying in a dorm and tried to get me to stay in their apartment with them. But 5 people in a two bedroom is overcrowded and I need my own space. I want to experience the college life; I want something normal for once.
We all go up to my dorm and I find it empty. I was supposed to meet my roommate today, maybe it will be later on since she’s not here. Her side of the room is sparce of anything except for a comforter and some pillows. Looks like she hasn’t really moved in yet.
We’ve been messaging over Instagram for the last couple of weeks, she’s from Sage and is on the volleyball team as well.
After we unload and put everything away, I hear a knock on my door. While the others are wrapped up in each other I answer and see Ace standing there with some flowers. I can’t help but feel giddy at seeing him in person. I’ve grown close to Ace over the last year since meeting him at Christmas.
I push the bouquet out of the way and throw myself into his arms. He chuckles as he wraps an arm around my waist. “Good to see you too, A.” I giggle and let go of him while bouncing on my toes.
“I see you made it just in time, we’ve already unloaded everything.”
He rolls his eyes as he shoves the lilies into my hands. “Ha-ha. I had a few cases to finish up before coming over. Took longer than expected.”
I lean up on my toes and kiss his bearded cheek. “Thanks for coming.”
He looks shocked from the small affection I gave him, but before he could respond Knox comes up to my side and glares at Ace. “What’s going on over here?”
I roll my eyes as I walk into the small kitchenette finding a vase for the flowers. “I was just telling Ace that he came just in time. After everything was put away.”
I turn to see Knox smirking and punches Ace in the shoulder. “That’s right. Slacker.”
Ace shoves him off as he makes his way into my dorm and sits in my desk chair. “What can I say? I’m a busy man.”
Phoenix has his arms wrapped around Phoebe’s waist with his chin resting on her shoulder. “How about we head back to our place for pizza and beer?”
Knox gives me a pointed look. “You’re still underage, I’m not supplying alcohol to a minor.”
I scrunch my nose at the thought and shake my head. “I don’t drink asshole.”
His face softens, he knows why I don’t drink or do any kind of recreational drugs. He doesn’t comment on it, but I can feel Ace looking at me. Wanting some kind of explanation but he’s not going to voice it in front of the group.
We talked a lot while I was back in Texas. And when I first met him at the Christmas dinner that Phoebe hosted, I knew he was special. I feel this connection to him that I’ve never felt with anyone else. I’m excited to be closer to him now and hopefully get the chance to explore some of these feelings.
