Page 33 of Beginning Fate

“Yeah, but only because I inquired about it first thing this morning,” she admitted.

“Jett and I are rooming together,” Oscar said.

Troy huffed. “I wish Mark and I could room together.”

“We could try asking,” the boy offered.

Troy shrugged. “I guess it couldn't hurt, huh?”

“Worst they can do is say no,” Mark said.

“Cool. Let's do it.”

“They're already closed for the day, so just wait until morning,” Autumn told them.

“But they did tell you your roommate’s names?”

“Yeah. Some girls named Alicia and Bridget. They didn’t tell me anything more than that. But I do know that Kylie's roommate is a Collier wolf. They thought it was important for her transition here to be with a wolf.”

“We're from Collier,” Troy reminded us. “What's her name?”

“Caroline.”

“Yes!”

“If it doesn't work out, then that's cool at least. Caroline's my best friend. She’s been in Europe with her family all summer. She won't be back in the country until next week. She’s hoping to do a semester abroad either next semester or first semester next year, so if it doesn't work out this semester, maybe next. She's the best. You're really going to love her,” Will said.

“There's this place just off campus my dad told me about called One-Eyed Jacks. Why don't we go hang out there and talk?” Oscar said.

“Yeah.”

“Sounds great.”

“You can always hang out at the doghouse,” Denny said.

“Maybe next time,” Mark told him.

As a group they turned to walk away, Kylie included. I started to follow, but she turned back and shook her head.

I stopped and nodded. My eyes burned with more unshed tears.

Standing there watching her walk away made me feel lonely and empty inside.

Or at least it did until Denny's arms wrapped around my waist. I leaned back against his chest, letting him hold me as I battled all the emotions coursing through me.

Denny

Chapter 9

Somehow, I knew Lauren was upset even without seeing her face. It brought me joy to comfort her.

“Come on. We can head over to the house. I'm sure they'll show back up there eventually.”

“Maybe.” She pulled out her phone and frowned. “I need to go back to the hotel and charge my phone.”

“What type. I’m sure we have a charger for it. There's basically a charger for everything there.”

But when she looked up at me, I saw the sadness in her eyes, and it killed me.

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