By the time we reach the counter, my stomach is making embarrassingly loud noises I hope no one else can hear. We both decide to split a turkey sub and each grab a drink. I pay for it all, telling Kennedy she can get the next time. After all, I did almost knock her to the ground without even introducing myself first.
“So,” she begins as soon as we sit down. “Tell me about you.”
I shrug and run my fingers through my hair. “There's really not much to tell. I'm nothing special.”
She scoffs. “I find that hard to believe. Come on, give me something. Where'd you go to high school? Somewhere around here?”
I shake my head. “I went to a boarding school in North Carolina. It's this really prestigious school.”
“Ah, so your parents are those kind? Really wealthy and would rather send their kids away to school?”
“No, not at all,” I giggle at the thought alone. “It was all my idea. I wrote an essay in middle school that won me a full scholarship there. Academics have always been my thing.”
She tilts her head to the side. “And you decided to come to NHU? Why not an Ivy League or something?”
“I missed home,” I tell her honestly. “My brother goes here, and the lower tuition helps my parents with the stress of needing to send two kids to college.”
It looks like she's really absorbing my words before she smiles. “Oh my God, you're adorable.”
The attention being completely on me is becoming a little uncomfortable. I busy myself with opening my Snapple and taking a healthy sip.
“All right, your turn.”
Kennedy is obviously the total opposite of me, because she shines in the spotlight. “Well, I went to Campton High School before coming here. I have a little brother and a little sister—they're twins. And I'm a cheerleader.”
It all comes together. “That's where I recognize you from! You were at try-outs!”
Last spring, I flew home for a weekend so I could try out for the North Haven University Cheerleading Team. It was a rough few days, but totally worth it.
Her eyes widen in excitement. “You went out for the team, too?” I nod. “Please tell me you made it.”
“I did, I did,” I chuckle. “We start practice next Wednesday, right?”
“Yes,” she squeals. “Ah, this is perfect.”
They call our number and we go grab our food before sitting back down. It really does justify all the talk about this place. The bread is obviously homemade and everything else is super fresh. This might end up becoming my new favorite spot.
“So, what was it like going to high school so far away?” she asks between bites.
“Not as exciting as you would think,” I answer. “The rules were really strict, and the classes were probably ten times harder than normal high school classes.”
She frowns. “Well, I mean you had to break the rules every once in a while, right? Sneak out to see your boyfriend?”
Even the idea of having a boyfriend is comical to me. “Didn't have one. And the punishments for going against the rules were so severe, not many people chanced it.”
Her brows raise. “You were away from home for four years and didn't have a boyfriend?”
“Nope.”
I don't mention that I was too hung up on someone back home to ever really notice anyone at school. The whole concept of my ridiculous crush on Easton's best friend is embarrassing. The last thing I want is for her to think I'm some kind of loser who can't seem to let go of a childhood crush. But the way he looked the other night...
I'm standing in the bathroom, checking over my reflection for the thousandth time, when Easton bangs on the door. I startle slightly and roll my eyes.
“I'll be out in a minute.”
He groans. “Well, hurry up. We're already late.”
I give myself another once-over and take a deep breath before opening the door. “Funny. Are you forgetting you changed your outfit and your hairstyle each three times?”