Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I take a deep breath and blow it back out. I open my mouth and the words begin to spill. It’s like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.
I go all the way back to the beginning. I was so young and naive back then. If I could do it all over, I would. There’s so much I would take back and change.
“It all started with my first day of college.”
CHAPTER 3
Cold Greetings
Zahirah
I did it. I got the full-ride scholarship to the same university Bentley Coswell has been attending for the last two years. I can’t wait to surprise him. Bentley is my best friend’s older brother.
I’ve had a crush on him for years. When Erica told me she was thinking about going to the same school as her big brother, I worked my ass off to be able to get in too. I didn’t change my mind even after Erica did.
My parents aren’t too happy about it, but they’re not paying for it, so it’s my choice. I earned that scholarship and here I am. I can’t stop smiling and my face is starting to hurt.
So far, so good. I like my roommate and my dorm room is cute. I’ve spent the morning setting up my space and getting to know Arlene.
“What do you say, girlie? Want to head to the student center and have a peek around? I’m starving,” she says as I place away the last of my clothes.
My stomach gurgles in answer for me. “Need I say more?” I laugh.
She’s sitting on my bed, looking through my high school yearbook. My senior year was a blast, but I’ll admit, I spent most of it thinking about Bentley and his reaction once I got here. I’ve missed him the last two summers.
If I wanted to get here on a track scholarship, I had to train my butt off. Unfortunately, that meant missing out on time with Bentley during his summer visits, as he would be off heading back to school for summer football camp by the time I returned from my camp.
“Come on. This room will be here when we get back. I need a nice, juicy burger and fries. If I can get a milkshake with that, I’ll be a happy roomie.”
“Sounds good to me. Is the food really that good here?”
“A-mazing. Come on, you can find out for yourself. Hopefully we’ll run into some of the football team or the swimmers. We’re golden either way,” she says with a bright smile.
“Do the teams hang out there a lot?”
“I’ve only been here two days, but they’ve been there every time I’ve been so far. The teams sort of clique up, but some of the guys have come by to flirt.” She wiggles her brows at me.
Arlene is going to be fun to live with. Her outgoing personality and infectious smile are only icing on the cake. I had been so nervous about meeting my roommate and if we would get along.
“I thought I was going to barf waiting for you to arrive. I’m so happy you’re so cool. I think we’re going to make great friends,” she says as we walk out of the dorm and head for the student center.
“Oh my God, I was just thinking the same thing.”
“See, it was meant to be,” she sings.
We fall into excited chatter as we walk the path to the center. I’m so engrossed in our conversation, I don’t see the guys or the football they’re tossing around until it hits me in the side of the head. I fall over and grasp the side of my face.
“Oh shit, are you all right?”
I look up to find three big guys staring down at me. The one who spoke squats down to check on me and help me up. My face is throbbing, but once my eyes focus and lock with those hazel eyes, I break into a smile.
“Bentley,” I squeal and throw my arms around his neck.
“Hey, he’s the one who tossed the ball, gorgeous. I can take you to get an ice pack and carry you to your dorm,” one of the other guys says.
I look up and find a pair of blue eyes fixed on me. He’s handsome, but I have the only boy I’ve ever wanted in my arms. However, Bentley pulls my arms from around his neck and places them into my lap.
“I’m sorry about that. Are you all right?” he says.
I look at him, confused. He searches my face and then a light bulb goes off. I see the moment shock sets in.
“Zah? Wh … what are you doing here?”
“I go here. I got a track scholarship,” I say excitedly.
“Oh, um … that’s cool,” he says and rubs the back of his neck.
“Bro, what’s wrong with you? Hey, sweetheart, are you okay? Let me help you up,” the third guy says.