Page 29 of I Blame the Rival

Gently taking it from my hands, I try not to stare as Lacey pulls my favourite hoodie over her head. I’m not that tall for a guy, and with her impressive height, we’re about the same size. By the time she tugs it down past her waist, it almost fits her perfectly.

“Thank you, Skylar.”

She hugs the material tighter, the smile taking over her face making me wish I had a hundred more to give her. I sneak a glance at her bare legs, the short skirt making them seem impossibly long.

“I didn’t think to pack extra pants. Will you be alright?”

“I’m good.”

We fall in step beside each other as I lead us down Silverwood’s main strip. The mom-and-pop shops have all closed up for the night, but the dim glow of the streetlights helps to give the town an ethereal feel.

“I’ve always wanted to explore Silverwood more.” Lacey studies each boutique we pass, “It’s got the small-town charm Taber lacks.”

“People are going to think you’re a Saber with those fighting words.”

She laughs and I quickly glance her way to capture it.

“Oh, I’ll always be a Tiger but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what the other side has to offer.” She gasps, pointing towards the end of the street, “You have a bookstore here?”

I nod, “Betty’s Books and Nooks. The same family has run the store since the 80s.”

“I’m so jealous. The closest thing Taber has to a bookstore is the university library.” She blushes and shoots me a glance, “Sorry. That’s super nerdy.”

“I don’t think being passionate about something makes you a nerd.” I pause, choosing my next words carefully, “If you ever want to visit Silverwood, I’d be happy to give you a tour. In the daylight, I mean.”

Lacey beams, “I would love that.”

“Consider it done.”

We branch off at the end of the street, taking a sharp right that leads to the university's residential buildings. Builtto match the rest of town, the student apartment buildings are long and wide with old-fashioned trimming along the side.

“Wait. That’s the university?” Disbelief fills Lacey’s voice as the glistening structure comes into view.

I sigh, “Ruins the aesthetic, doesn’t it?”

“It looks like a spaceship.” She scrunches her nose, “Why is it so… metal?”

“Wish I could tell you.”

Silverwood University rises above us like a great metallic wave. Sitting right in the centre of a clearing, the imposing structure does resemble a spaceship that crash landed among the quaint small town.

The ultra-modern structure was built only a decade ago, and while the monstrous school looks completely out of place in Silverwood, it offers advanced geothermal technology that helps to draw in students from around the country.

As much as I hate to admit it, our town needs the revenue university students provide eight months of the year.

“Is it a good school at least?” Lacey glances at me, “Do you like it here?”

I shrug, “All the auditoriums and classrooms are brand new so I can’t complain.”

“But do you like it?”

Her green eyes scan my face, hunting for an honest answer. There must be something in the air tonight because for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like brushing it off with a nonchalant answer.

“Not really.” I meet her gaze, “The facilities are nice, but I don’t love the people. They’re either from a big, glamorous city or we went to preschool together. Either way, it feels suffocating.”

She nods, “I get that. I followed my brother to Taber so I wouldn’t have to see the same people anymore.”

Lacey ducks her head but not before I see the pained expression on her face. My mind flashes back to her last message and I feel my stomach clench.

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