Page 14 of Seeds of Friendship
“Let's just get Einstein inside,” I say.
But as we manoeuvre the poster through the door, I can't help thinking that maybe—just maybe—living with these three disasters might not be the worst thing after all.
“That thing is not going in my room,” Alfie says.
“It's going in the living room,” Ethan insists. “Where everyone can appreciate it.”
“Where everyone can question our taste,” Alfie corrects.
“We have taste?” I mutter, and surprisingly, Alfie actually snorts. It might be the first non-contemptuous sound I've heard him make.
Troy and Ethan have named the poster “Professor E” and are planning a welcome party for it. Alfie looks like he's reconsidering every choice that led him to this moment.
“This is what we're going to be known for,” he says, watching them struggle to put it up. “The house with the trashy Einstein poster.”
“Better than the house with the four idiots who couldn't figure out housing,” I point out.
He considers this. “Fair point.”
And for just a second, I think maybe the rich kid might actually be human under all that expensive indifference.
6
Monday morning, first Business 101 lecture. I'm here because, apparently, making money requires understanding “supply and demand curves” and other shit that seems pretty obvious. The lecture hall is packed—business is the fallback major for everyone who doesn't know what they want, but knows they want to be rich.
I spot two girls setting up near the middle—both cute, both clearly freshmen from the way they've got every possible school supply laid out like they're preparing for war.
“This seat taken?” I ask, gesturing to the spot next to them.
The brunette looks up, gives me a quick assessment, and smiles. “All yours.”
“I'm Freddie,” I offer, settling in.
“Brianna,” she says. “This is Maya.”
Maya gives me a wave, already eyeing me with interest. “You look familiar. Were you at the Sigma Chi party Saturday?”
“Nah, still figuring out the party scene,” I admit. “Just moved in.”
“Which dorm?” Brianna asks, leaning in slightly. Classic first-week freshman conversation—everyone trying to map out the social geography.
“Actually, we got a house. Out on Oak Street.” I can't help the pride that creeps into my voice. “Four bedrooms, full kitchen, living room—pretty sweet gig, honestly.”
Maya's eyes light up. “Wait, like a frat house?”
“No, not exactly?—”
Her face falls immediately. “Oh.”
“But it's better than a frat,” I add quickly, sensing the shift. “No stupid rules, no hazing bullshit, just four guys with a massive space perfect for parties.”
They exchange a look I can't quite read.
“Oak Street?” Chloe repeats slowly. “Is that the house with the four losers?”
My stomach drops. “What?”
Maya looks uncomfortable now. “Alpha Pi sent out a thing this morning. Said there's a house on Oak Street with four freshmen who are on their blacklist. Something about one of them messing with Connor Matthews' ex?”
