Page 11 of Toxic Obsession

I bit my lip, studying her. “When did you grow up on me?”

Janine wiped the moisture from her eyes. “We can do this, Wyn. The year will fly by.”

I wondered if she was trying to convince me or herself. Heaving a big sigh, I reminded myself to relax. Janine had teachers who adored her and a boyfriend that loved her. We only had a few more months to get through before everything changed for the better.

“You’re right. I just struggle with my choice sometimes.” I tucked my hair behind my ear.

“It’s not your decision. It’s ours. Don’t forget that. I need you to do this too.”

I nodded. “I love you, and I miss you so bad.”

“Miss you too, brat.” She flashed me a smile, her cue to change the topic. “Are there some gorgeous guys on campus? How are your roomies?”

“The roomies are really nice so far. Everlee is hilarious and full of energy. Leighton keeps to herself when I’m around, so I’m not sure what to think about her. Gabby is super sweet, and I’ve talked with her the most. They’re all cheerleaders, so I have the place to myself at times. It’s kind of nice, actually. The house is cute, and they take good care of it. It was pure luck that they needed a roomie this year.”

“Destiny.” Janine laughed as she gave me the jazz hands.

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t believe in destiny. If there was such a thing, I always got fucked by it and not in a fun way. I pulled my thoughts back to my sister, grateful for the time we’d had to catch up. “There’s a party Saturday after the football game, so I’m thinking maybe I’ll go. The girls invited me, so I’ll know a few people there at least.”

Janine clapped her hands. “Yes! Go have fun. That’s an order.”

I gave her a salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

Our hoots and hollers filled the room as we continued to tease each other.

I glanced at the clock on my phone. “Ah, shit. I needed that, sis.” I blew her a kiss.

“Me too, but studying calls. If I want a full scholarship to college, too, I have to maintain my GPA.”

“Same. I’ll let you know how the party goes this weekend.”

“Only a few days away,” Janine said in a sing-song voice.

“Two, but who’s counting?” I waved goodbye and disconnected the call.

As a wave of guilt swept over me, I busied myself by getting off my bed and heading to my closet. Janine had been the one who had pushed me to take this chance and move states, and I wanted to make her proud.

Staring into my wardrobe, I was grateful that I’d used some of the money I’d saved to buy some new clothes for school—a drastic change from the hand-me-downs that I’d had to wear in order to pay rent and buy groceries for my family.

A knock interrupted me.

“Yeah?”

The door cracked open. “Wynter? Can I come in?”

“Hey, Gabby.” I motioned for her to join me. “I’d love your thoughts on what to wear to the party.”

She rubbed her hands together, clearly excited. “Oh, I love picking out clothes.”

I waved her over to the closet. “Have at it.” I sat back on the bed. “I thought you would be at cheer practice.”

Gabby rifled through my wardrobe, then glanced at me over her shoulder. “It’s already over. Coach got sick, so we all hightailed it out of there. We can’t afford for the entire team to feel like shit and miss the game.” She winced as though the idea had punched her in the stomach.

“Yeah, probably wouldn’t look so great.”

She pursed her lips before she returned to the closet. “So, you got a guy back home?”

“Like a hookup or a boyfriend?”

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