Page 245 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

I smiled, feeling a renewed sense of connection with her despite the miles that separated us. "That's the plan. We'll bring this guy down and get our lives back on track together."

As our conversation continued, the familiar spark between us grew stronger, fueled by our shared determination and the conspiratorial nature of our plans. Courtney teased, "Once this is all over, I'm planning on making up for all this time apart. Be ready, Brad!”

Warmth settled in my groin as I responded with a low growl, "I'll be more than ready, Courtney. Just wait and see."

Chapter Three

Courtney

A flicker of nostalgia passed through me as I sat at my dorm room vanity, my fingers delicately applying concealer under my tired eyes. Morning sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting a soft, hazy glow on the worn-out carpet and the stack of textbooks on my desk. The smell of baking cinnamon buns wafted through the hallway, a comforting reminder that Jenna was already up and about.

As I dabbed on a bit of blush, I reflected on last night's call with Brad. His voice still echoed in my mind, soft and familiar, carrying the memories of our shared laughter and whispered dreams. It was a soothing balm, pushing the edges of my homesickness just a bit further into the recesses of my mind.

My musings were interrupted by a sudden buzzing of my phone, lying a few inches away. Its screen lit up, casting an odd glow on the cluttered tabletop. I reached for it, expecting perhaps a reminder about a class or feedback on an assignment.

However, the text was from the university mailroom: Parcel for Courtney Thompson.

The makeup brush paused mid-stroke as surprise washed over me. Brad had mentioned sending my old flip phone, but surely it couldn't have arrived already. It had been just a day. The postal service was good, but not that good.

Curiosity sparked inside me as I stared at the phone screen. If not the phone, then what could it be? A surprise care package from my father? Or perhaps, a surprise from Meagan or Ariel?

Shrugging off the stray thoughts, I finished with my makeup and tossed the brush onto the vanity. The mirror reflected my anticipation as I pulled my hair into a loose ponytail. A mysterious parcel was waiting, and I chuckled, trying to imagine who it might be from.

Jenna's encouraging words for today's quiz echoed in my ears, fading into silence as the door swung shut behind me. I found myself alone in the quiet corridor, its silence punctuated only by the faint buzz of the overhead fluorescent lights.

As I ventured outside, the sharp autumn chill welcomed me instantly. The campus was drenched in the soft, golden light of morning, accentuating the fiery hues of the surrounding trees. Their leaves danced in a vibrant symphony of reds, oranges, and yellows. Fellow students moved purposefully across the landscape; their paths marked by the foggy wisps of breath trailing in the cold morning air.

Treading through the campus, I couldn't help but be struck by the beauty of the place. The school was nestled in the heart of Laramie and was a world away from the bustling city life of San Diego. The sky seemed to stretch out endlessly, the towering mountains a constant, comforting presence in the distance.

My journey took me to University Commons, a central hub already bustling with activity. The aroma of bacon wafted out from the nearby café, mingling with the earthy scent of fallen leaves. The mailroom was tucked away in the corner of the commons, a small yet essential part of university life.

Inside, I was greeted by Stan, the ever-cheerful mailroom attendant. His lollipop bobbing up and down as he spoke made me giggle. He handed over a nondescript box, plain brown with my name scribbled across the top—no logos, no company names—nothing that could give me a hint about its sender.

The only clue was that it was postmarked from San Diego. But it was a dead-end, offering no more insight into the sender or the contents of the package. I traced the edges of the box—my curiosity was piqued. This was a mystery, and I was determined to unravel it, eventually.

"Thanks, Stan," I said, tucking the package under my arm and heading back to my dorm.

I rushed into my room and tossed the box on my bed. What could it be? But then, my gaze landed on the open notebook lying haphazardly on my desk. 'Exploring the Role of Negative Space in Graphic Design,' I had scribbled in a hurry, barely legible—the topic of today's quiz.

Reality hit me like a bucket of cold water. I had a lecture to attend and a quiz to take. I couldn't afford to be late, not for this one.

With a sigh, I shoved the crumpled note back into my backpack, grabbed my coat, and dashed towards the campus café. I needed caffeine if I was going to survive the lecture.

I shook my head, pushing thoughts of the mysterious box away as I picked up my latte and headed toward the lecture hall. As the aromatic coffee washed over my taste buds, I resolved to keep my mind anchored to the academic world for now.

The lecture began, immersing me in a world of color palettes and psychological responses. The curious box was a universe away as I delved into the riveting theories, letting them seep into my thoughts and anticipating their impact on my future work. With a final, determined stroke of my pen, I completed the quiz, eager to see how this newfound knowledge would manifest in my designs.

Yet, the moment I stepped foot into the corridor, my mind wandered to the box, and curiosity got the best of me. Since it was postmarked from San Diego, I pulled out my phone and called the first friend, other than Brad, who lived there.

As Ariel's phone rang, I half-hoped she'd sent me a surprise from back home. And as her laughter spilled through the speaker, a wave of homesickness hit me.

"Courtney! How's life in cowboy country?" she quipped, her voice as warm and inviting as I remembered.

"It's been an adventure," I replied, suppressing a sigh. "Listen, did you send me anything recently? I got a package today, and I have no idea who it's from."

"Nope, not me. But speaking of packages, guess who can count to ten now?"

Ariel's segue made me laugh. "Jonathan? Really?"

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