The girls across from me smirk and whisper to each other.

Brody crosses his arms and side-eyes them.

I head back to the room where the only person I need to fit in with is myself.

CHAPTER 11

CHASE

Cammie’s shoulders roll in as she heads for the elevator. She also pulls her hood up.

“Uh, I’m going to head up to the room, too.”

Brody raises an eyebrow at me.

“Have fun with your new friend!” Barbie, who actually looks like an original Barbie, calls after me as I rush to catch up with Cammie.

I manage to reach the elevator in time, but unfortunately there are other people in there, so we just stand awkwardly beside each other until we get to the fourth floor. I follow Cammie down the hall and back into our room.

Cammie heads for her laptop.

“Things got weird.” I cross my arms, then drop them at my sides. “And I don’t know why.”

Cammie sighs and tips her head up, eyes on the ceiling.

“What happened down there?”

She drops into the desk chair and spins to face me, tucking her hands into her pockets.

“I have schoolwork, and it wasn’t like I was part of the conversations when you were walking down post-party lane. I don’t know any of the people you were talkingabout. I don’t get invited to parties, Chase, and usually I’m fine with that. I’m used to not fitting in, but shining a light on that doesn’t seem like it’ll be a lot of fun for me or you.”

“You can come to a party with me, then you’ll know more people.” I realize I’ve never done this before. Tried to make someone I like feel included, and based on how unhappy Cammie looks, I’m not all that great at it. But I could get better.

“Is that really what you want? Because honestly, the way that rolled out down there made me sound like your hookup.” She tugs on the string of her hoodie. “Which, I mean, I kind of am considering what’s gone down in this room.”

“That’s not...I didn’t mean...you’re not—” I think back to the way I introduced her.

She shrugs. “It’s okay, Chase. I’m not throwing shade, but you’re already kind of a legend. And if I looked like you, I’d probably hook up all over the place, too.”

I rub the back of my neck. “I haven’t hooked up with that many girls.”

She gives me a look.

“I mean…” For the past two months, most weekends have included a party. I’d meet some girl, we’d have some fun, and at the end of the night, I’d go home with my friends and the girl went home with her friends and that’s that. Maybe I see a former hookup on campus and wave and say hi and then make an excuse about having class or practice. Shit. I’m kind of a douchebag.

“You don’t get that good at giving orgasms by practicing on a pocket pussy.” Cammie sighs. “I like you, Chase, but I’m kind of a fucking weirdo who would rather rewatchReturn of the Kinga hundred times than play beer pong in my underwear.”

“I like your weird, though.” I leave the beer pong comment alone because I’ve done that mostly naked. I was in board shorts, though.

She smiles, but it looks sad, and I don’t like it.

Both our phones chime.

Cammie pulls hers out of her hoodie. “Looks like we can go back to the dorms.”

“Now?” I ask.

She nods and gives me a small smile. “Guess we should pack up.” She stands and turns away as she crosses the room and grabs her backpack, tucking her laptop and other random items into it.