Page 30 of Forbidden

Chapter Nine

Rosalie

Even though Ihad started college, it didn’t feel any different or special like I had hoped it would. I knew the problem was that I was a commuter. Everyone in my classes seemed to live in the dorm and had made tons of friends, but I didn’t meet anyone. In a lot of ways, college was no different than high school since no one knew I was alive.

The big difference though was that I didn’t care. I wanted to go away to college to get out of my house with my mother and stepfather. I did that by moving in with my dad. And with Shane living there, I didn’t want to date or meet anyone else.

I was finishing up a paper for an assignment when my phone started ringing. Shane’s name floated across the screen.

“Why are you calling me if you’re in the next room?” I said.

“Hi, is Rosalie there?” he said.

“Huh? What are you doing? You know it’s me.”

“How you doin’? Are you busy tonight?”

“I thought we were going to rent a movie,” I said.

“Fuck, Rosalie, can’t you take a hint? I’m trying to ask you out.”

Holy shit!

“So, are you busy tonight?” he asked.

“I was going to rent a movie tonight with a friend of mine.”

“Ditch the loser and come out with me.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Just the usual wine ‘em, dine ‘em, sixty-nine ‘em.”

“You’re an asshole, you know that?”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

I do.

“So what do you say?”

“Yes, I’ll go out with you tonight.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Do you know where I live?” I held back a giggle.

“Of course I do. Your friend told me.”

* * *

The doorbell rang at exactlyseven o’clock. My dad and Joanna had left earlier for a dinner party with some friends, so I was alone in the house except for Shane. It felt silly, but I wore my favorite dress. Shane called it a date and I was going to make sure I looked my best.

“Shane! Can you get that?” I yelled.

Shane didn’t respond. Instead, the doorbell rang again. Who the hell is ringing the doorbell? I ran down the stairs with my shoes in my hand and yanked the door open. Shane was standing on the other side of the door with a wide grin.

“Hey gorgeous,” he said.

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