Page 8 of Neo

“I sense that attendance for you is mission focused?”

Kennedy throws her head back in laughter and I shake my head in disbelief at how beautiful she still is even when she snorts through her nose.

“I remember you being smart in high school. Nothing’s changed.”

“Who’s the target?” I ask her.

“This guy named Ray.”

I can’t imagine that there’s a man on this planet who wouldn’t take notice of Kennedy, so I wonder if there’s any backstory to this.

“Any history with him?”

“We’re circling each other a little, maybe trying to figure the other out before taking a leap. He’s on the football team and has a real shot at the pros. I think he’s being careful about all his decisions, but that’s one of the things that I like about him.”

“I remember my mom telling me once that if a woman really wants to meet someone that she should go to that place alone so that it feels safe for the man to approach her. Maybe if you go to the game alone, it will be the perfect time for him to share a moment alone with you.”

“That’s a real delightful story, and a nice try, but I’m afraid that’s not an option. You’re rolling with me and that’s it. I don’t attend school activities alone because there’s safety in numbers and all of that good shit. You understand, right?”

I plop my butt on the floor of my new room and stare at my suitcase full of clothes. Suddenly, I wish I’d packed a little more thoughtfully instead of only throwing in whatever was clean.

“I guess I can unpack tomorrow.”

“That’s the spirit! Okay, we’re going to head out in an hour,” she announces, as if she’s a camp counselor in charge of an upcoming nature hike. “Oh, and Violet, be sure to dress in layers.”

“But it’s a hundred degrees outside.”

She sighs like I’m the most hopeless person she’s ever met.

“Not at the rink, girl. Not at the rink.”

violet

I’m shiveringin a frigid hockey rink filled with a sea of rowdy spectators dressed in gold and black Valencia City University colors and contrasting red Santa hats. As members of the opposing hockey team hustle across the ice, VCU students are chanting some sort of anti-cheer at them, which grows louder with every iteration.

While it’s unclear to me exactly what they’re saying, it honestly doesn’t matter. I’m only here because I agreed to attend the town’s annual Santa Fest with Kennedy, which tradition evidently requires attending this game, although I never said I’d pay attention. Trust someone like Kennedy Bing to drag me into the chaotic frenzy of a hockey exhibition game when I’ve got reading to do.

I check my phone to see if Elijah has finally responded to my text from two hours ago, only to be disappointed to find that he hasn’t, so I get back to my book.

“Are you actually reading while the Suns are playing?” Kennedy huffs beside me, her gorgeous almond eyes wide with disbelief.

“Absolutely,” I say, not an ounce of regret in my voice. “You know the deal. I’ve got a scholarship and I can’t fuck it up.”

I have to stick to the plan.

While the school has been generous in offering me a full ride, the terms are that I complete my degree in four years with at least a 3.0 grade point average every semester.

“It’s Christmas break, girl. We haven’t even started spring semester yet.”

“But I already know what classes I’m taking this semester. I literally have taken two of them before.”

Credits that VCU refuses to honor.

“So, you’re reading ahead?”

“Yep.”

“In classes you’ve already taken?”

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