Page 22 of Choosing You

“Yes, but you don’t have to get all worried about it. My RA, Jasmine, knows him and she said he was okay.”

“Still, I want you to be careful. You just met the guy. And maybe Jasmine doesn’t know him that well. So you had lunch and then what? Did you meet some other girls on your floor?”

“I met a few of them. Not everyone has moved in yet.”

“Did you go to that party?”

“Yeah. I ended up going with Garret. We went for dinner and then to the party.”

“You spent your whole day with that guy? I don’t like this, Jade. He’s too aggressive, taking up all your time like that. I don’t trust him.”

“He’s just a friend. That’s it. And so far he’s the only nice person I’ve met here.”

“Guys that age aren’t just friends with a girl. Hell, guys atanyage aren’t just friends with a girl.”

“Well, that’s all we are. Now tell me what the doctor said about Frank.”

We talk for a few more minutes, then Ryan says he has to get back on the road.

I get into bed feeling much better than the night before. Frank’s improving and Ryan isn’t so stressed out. And my first full day at Moorhurst turned out to be not so bad. I might have even liked it a little.

Maybe Icansurvive four years here.

CHAPTERSEVEN

The next morning,I sleep until 10, then go to the bathroom to shower and dress. As I’m walking back to my room, I notice a girl moving in. She has a natural, outdoorsy look with long blond hair pulled into a ponytail and a toned, athletic body. She has no makeup on but she doesn’t need it. She has perfect skin.

“Hi, I’m Harper,” she says, stopping me in the hall.

I set my basket of shower supplies down and shake her hand. “I’m Jade. I live at the end of the hall.”

“You’re the first person I’ve seen here other than the RA. People must still be asleep or something. So where are you from?”

“Iowa. And you?”

“California. Malibu.”

“And you wanted to comehereto school? Seems like California would be a lot better than Connecticut. At least weather-wise.”

“I’m here on a tennis scholarship.”

“I’m here on scholarship, too. Otherwise I’d never be able to go here.”

“Oh, I don’t need the money. I just wanted to be on the team. Plus I do like that I’m paying for part of this myself, you know? It’s not a full scholarship, but it’s something. At least I earned it.”

“You must be really good at tennis.”

“I’m okay. At least good enough for this school’s team. Hey, do you want to grab lunch? I just brought in the last of my boxes and I’m starving.”

“Sure, but I need to take my stuff back to my room.”

“Just come down whenever you’re ready.” She smiles and gives me a quick wave as she goes back in her room.

Even though we just met, I like Harper. She seems friendly and easy to talk to—way better than Sierra and Ava.

I drop my shower supplies in my room and grab some money. I’m hoping she likes fast food because that’s all I can afford.

When I stop by her room she’s putting her clothes away. Her room looks like a wad of bubble gum exploded in it. It’s piled high with everything pink; her comforter, sheets, towels, pillows—all pink.

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