Chapter 1
The day is as rainy as it is cold and I realize that I probably should've rode with my best friend instead of insisting that I was a strong capable woman. Of course, that is not to say that I am not, I'm as strong as they come on most days. But today just felt different. I was sad and extremely moody as soon as I woke up this morning, which was at 7 a.m., and now I'll probably be late for class because of my stubbornness.
Starting college was fun, up until I ran into the boy that I have despised almost my entire life. His name is Mason Gray and for as long as I can remember, he and my older brother Chase have been best friends. And I know what you're thinking, we must have some secret unexplored feelings for one another. But you're wrong, we don't, and we never will. Mason hates me and in turn, I've grown to hate him. He and Chase met back in middle school while they were in sixth grade, and I was in fifth. Now, the three of us are in college, with me being a sophomore and them being juniors and not much has changed between us.
As I am approaching the building where my first class is held, I see my best friend Liv walking in too. Liv and I have been friends since we were juniors in high school and ironically enough, she is Chase's girlfriend.
"Hey Liv, are we still on for lunch on Friday?" While I'm obviously expecting her to say yes, because lunch at @1 pm is our Friday ritual, I still ask to be courteous. "Absolutely, but is it ok if Chase and one of his friends tag along?" Liv looks at me with semi-pleading eyes and I can't help but roll my own. If looks could kill, she'd be fifty feet under. "Who is the friend Liv?" "Mm, someone you've met before, so there's no worries" Automatically, I know that she's talking about Mason and I inwardly sigh. Any chance I can have to NOT be around Mason, I take it. "Sure Liv, whatever. Just please make sure you aren't late; Professor Harding will kill me if I'm not in his class on time." Liv beams, almost like a kid that's won a stuffed animal from a claw machine, and I already regret saying yes. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you and I'll see you Friday," Liv says while giving me a swift hug and running towards the elevators to go upstairs to her first class.
Since my first class is downstairs, I round the corner and almost immediately wish I never even got out of bed and struggled with the rain. Apparently, I'd missed the memo that class was canceled, seeing as there is a sign on the door that reads, "CLASS WILL BE CANCELED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK. EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. – PROFESSOR TAYLOR" Turning around to leave, I pull out my phone and text my brother. "Hey. My class got canceled. I'm free till @12. Can I stop by?" He texts back rather quickly. "Sure. But Mason will be home soon." I roll my eyes, getting a bit agitated. Why is it that I can't catch a break from him? First lunch and now my quality sibling time? I'm pissed.
I get ready to respond when someone smacks into my shoulder in a manner that feels almost purposeful. "Hey, can you watch where you're go-," as I'm looking up, I stop in the middle of my sentence realizing that it's Mason who just bumped into me. And for some reason, he has the largest grin on his face. "Hey Eva, sorry I didn't see you there." He says, while clearly having seen me, considering we're the only people in the hall at the moment. "Mason, I don't have time for your shit today. Just leave me alone and continue on wherever you're going." I turn around getting ready to walk out of the building when I feel who I assume is Mason gently grab my arm. "Are you okay Eva? I know we don't get along all the time, but you look upset." Mason looks down at me and slowly moves his hand from my arm to my chin and lifts it, so my eyes meet his.
For a second, I think that he's actually being sweet, but then he busts out laughing and drops his hand. Awkwardly, and for a split second, my body misses the warmth that was there. But all that is washed away when Mason says, "You got so silent I thought that you were actually going to believe that I cared." Snickering, he turns around and walks away before I can say anything or even process what just took place. Did I feel something when he touched me or was the feeling just comforting because I had a bad morning? Either way, I need to clear my head. But clearly, I cannot meet my brother at his place, so I text and ask him to come to mine. "Ok, change of plans. Can you come by my place... and bring snacks?" Within seconds I hear my phone bing, "Sure. I'll bring our usual. Be there in 30." Hopefully, some quality time with him can put me in a better mood.
