Page 17 of I Blame the Rival

“Well, she doesn’t bring any boys home, so…” Snickers fill the air and I bite down on my lip to keep from shoutinga response. My roommate has never been the nicest person, but I didn’t think she would talk shit about me to her friends.

I guess I can’t blame her. I’ve put in little to no effort to get to know her, so it’s only natural for a person to make assumptions.

Even with my rationale, my cheeks are still flushed with embarrassment when I answer the knock on my bedroom door. Cecelia greets me with a scowl that hasn’t gotten any friendlier since the first day I moved in.

“My friends and I are going to a party tonight. Do you want to come?” She hooks a thumb over her shoulder, “Ava has agreed to DD, so the ride part is covered.”

“Thanks for the offer but I’ve got some reading to do.”

“I figured as much.” Rolling her eyes, Cecelia turns and looks at the girl lounging on our dorm couch.

“See? I told you she wouldn’t come.”

The redhead gives me a wave, her pale skin and mass of freckles surprisingly cute, “I’m Maren. Nice to meet you.”

On the couch opposite her, the girl with bleached dreadlocks doesn’t bother lifting her gaze from her phone, “Ava.”

“Uh, hi. I’m Lacey.” I give Maren a small smile before turning back to my roommate who’s busy lacing up her combat boots.

“I hope you have a good time tonight.”

Maren pipes up from the couch, “Oh, we will. BEATS is supposed to be a million times better than the club here in Taber.”

“BEATS?”

“It’s Silverwood’s hotspot.” Ava looks up from her phone, “The lacrosse team is throwing a party tonight.”

Pausing my trek back to the safety of my bedroom, I look at the girls, “You’re going to Silverwood tonight?”

“That’s right. We’re heading into enemy territory.” Maren lets out a hoot and Ava rolls her eyes.

“The rivalry between our schools is so dumb. Who watches sports anyway?”

Cecelia snorts, “Everyone except you, dumbass.”

Ava flips her off and Maren lets out a laugh. Heart pounding in my ears, I go ahead and open my mouth.

“I’ll come.”

The room falls silent as they all turn to look at me. Clearing my throat, I try again, “If the invitation is still open, I would love to go out with you tonight.”

Maren claps her hands, “Hell yeah! Welcome to the wild side, Lacey.”

Ava nods her approval while Cecelia eyes me suspiciously.

“What changed your mind?”

Wiping my suddenly sweaty palms on my jeans, I give her a nonchalant shrug, “I’ve got a friend in Silverwood. Maybe she’ll be there.”

“Fine. But you better go change. We can’t have your nun appearance chasing the guys away.”

Ava snickers and I feel my cheeks heat up again. Walking back into my bedroom, I close the door and lean against it. Taking a moment to summon my courage, I shake the insecurities awayand walk over to my little library. I pull out the hidden envelope and steal the sunshine tissue from inside.

It’s time to make my wish a reality.

Clutching the tissue to my chest, I blow out a breath before walking over to my closest and picking out an outfit that won’t send the guys running.

Not that I’m going to Silverwood to find a guy.

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