Page 57 of Penalized Love

“Yep, I’ll be there, camera in hand, as usual.”I step out of the car, slinging my book and camera bags over my shoulder. Before I close the door, I lean down to catch his eye one more time.“Thanks again. For everything today—the coffee, the math and tech help, the ride. It means a lot.”

He gives me that lopsided grin that was only reserved for me once upon a time.“That’s what friends are for, right?”

Friends. Is that what we were?“Right. Friends. Night, Asher.”

“Goodnight, sunshine. Sweet dreams.”

I shut the car door and enter my dorm building, feeling his eyes on me until I disappear inside. As I climb the stairs to my floor, I can’t help but replay our interactions over the last couple of hours. If I didn’t know any better, it would feel like almost no time has passed at all.

And the thought of that is frightening. We’re not the same people we were three years ago. Too much has happened. Too much has changed. Whatever this is between us now—this tentative friendship—it’s fragile. And I’m not sure how to feel about any of it.

22

ISLA

Do you ever feel like déjà vu is slapping you in the face?

It’s what I feel as I walk into a party, the bass pounding in my head as Selene and I enter the house. However, we are both attending this college this time, and we were invited to a party at the hockey team’s off-campus house because of my connection to the team.

That does nothing to calm my nerves as I walk in behind Selene.

I can’t even count the number of red Solo cups I’ve spotted as we enter the living room. Everyone is here to celebrate the Crestwood Red Wolves’ latest win. Well, I’m sure some people are just here for the drinking, but that isn’t uncommon on a college campus.

“Wow, the hockey team knows how to throw down,” Selene remarks, her eyes wide as she takes in the chaotic scene in front of us.

“You’re not lying,” I reply.

My eyes scan the room, and I recognize most of the hockey team, but not anyone else. My gaze lands on Hailey, who is standing across the room. The last time I saw her, she waswearing her hair in a messy bun while we were eating lunch in the campus center. This time, her brown hair is in a neater bun, and she’s wearing jeans and a sweater with chess club written across it. Standing next to her is someone who, I assume, is her friend. The two of them are standing between Levi and Wilder; the former has his arm wrapped around Hailey.

As soon as Hailey spots me, her face lights up and she waves us over. I don’t want to be rude, so I grab Selene’s hand and say, “Hey, there are some people I want you to meet.”

We make our way through the crowd, dodging people and beer sloshing out of cups until we reach Hailey and her friend. Hailey speaks first. “Isla, how are you doing? Is life still crazy for you?”

“Unfortunately, yes. College life is so hectic.”

“You can say that again.” Hailey looks at her boyfriend before turning to her friend. “Since you already know these two guys… Jade, this is Isla, the hockey team’s photographer. Isla, this is Jade, my best friend.”

Jade sticks her hand out to shake mine before Wilder snatches her hand back. “Hey! She’s my best friend too.”

Jade pulls her hand from Wilder’s grasp and rolls her eyes. “Ignore Wilder. It’s nice to meet you, Isla.”

I return the handshake before gesturing to Selene. “And this is my friend, Selene. We’ve been best friends since elementary school.”

“That’s true. She can’t get rid of me no matter how hard she tries.” Selene glances at me before a smirk appears.

“It’s true. She is a pain in my ass,” I say, and Selene elbows me in the gut. “Ow.” The poke didn’t actually hurt me, but I want to be a little dramatic.

Hailey laughs at our exchange. “Well, it’s great to meet you. I can show you where the drinks are.”

Hailey and Jade lead the way as we make our way through the crowd. Levi and Wilder trail behind us, and they get stopped multiple times by people who want to congratulate them on their win. I glance over at Selene, and she smiles at me, probably proud that I went out at all.

Hailey finds a cooler in the kitchen and hands us two cans of beer. Selene and I open our beers at the same time. I hold up my drink and say, “Cheers.”

Selene responds in kind. “Cheers!”

As we clink our cans together, I feel somewhat at ease. Sure, parties are more Selene’s thing than mine because I’m not too big on crowds. Despite the crowd in the kitchen, I don’t feel panicky.

Well, that’s not true. But the party environment isn’t causing me to feel that way. It’s the man that I assume will also be here that I haven’t had a chance to see outside of work in the last few days.

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