Page 53 of Bewitch

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Of course. The last thing I want is for any funny business to be going on. Now…” She tilts her head to the side. “Are you enjoying yourself? You aren’t studying too hard, are you? You’re making friends outside of your major and your roommate?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Good. Good. Are you partying at all?”

“Uh…”

“A healthy social life isn’t a bad thing, but I would hope that you would be smart about things.”

“I’m doing my best.”

“Great.” She beams at me. “Have you contacted any of the local newspapers to see if you might be able to get a position as an intern?”

“I’m only a freshman, Mom. I’m sure they would rather have older students—”

“Why wait? Take life by the horns. You’re a journalist in the making. Go out there and claim it.”

“I…” I tilt my head to the side. “Maybe if I had a story worth writing…”

She eyes me. “I think you have a story idea in mind already, don’t you?”

“Maybe,” I murmur.

“Good! I can’t wait to read it.”

Our food comes, and it’s amazing. I really don’t think my mom’s right about the waiter, and he doesn’t ask me for my number. He does ask if we’re interested in dessert as he takes my plate, which, by the way, does have some food left on it. He’s going to box I up for me. I hope it heats up well.

“Do you want to split a dessert?” my mom asks.

I gape at her. She never offers that. I must really look good in her eyes for her to offer me that.

But my heart sinks. I’ve made some progress, but I’ve also sabotaged myself earlier today. I can’t help hating myself all the more for having binged. If I hadn’t binged, I could have said yes without feeling guilty.

Instead, I mumble, “No than you.”

My mom smiles at me, clearly loving my display of self-control.

If only I could have self-control all the time.

CHAPTER16

The next two weeks pass by in a blur. Thankfully, I’ve managed to avoid those bullies on campus. I’ve been working out those six days a week with Lucas. He still bullies and pushes me at times, and it only serves to reinforce my desire to get back at him. I’m starting to feel a bit more confident in the few changes in my body. I had to buy new sports bras because my old ones were too loose and not holding the girls in place. That sucks, since my boobs aren’t huge to begin with, but the less fat on my body the better, right?

I’m also down two pant sizes somehow. It’s amazing and surreal. I’ve been wearing some of the clothes I raided from my closet back at home. Maybe one day, I’ll give myself a big shopping spree. Yes, on Mom’s dime, just like the fitness trainer. I have worked. Few part-time jobs, but my mom doesn’t want me to, at least not during my freshman year.

“Get settled first. Make friends and get used to being on your own and being responsible for yourself,” she said.

So far, at least, I’ve taken her advice to heart. If I’m not studying or go to classes o the gym, then I’m hanging out with friends. No boyfriend, though. No contenders either. I’m still trying to worm my way into Lucas’s heart. It’ll happen and soon. At least I hope so. I think it will. I guess it depends on how much progress I’m actually making.

One Thursday late afternoon, Brooke huffs a sigh. We’ve both been working on homework. I’ve been meaning to work on the whole newspaper article idea I had, but so far, that hasn’t happened yet.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“I don’t feel like going out grocery shopping,” she admits.

“That’s okay. We don’t have to go right now.”

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