Page 96 of Fall

I’m going to kill him.

“We’ll be ready to go in about ten minutes,” he mumbles around the brush and closes the door.

Ten minutes later, both boys are walking into the sitting room like they’re both related to the Cheshire cat, carrying two suitcases that I’m assuming are packed with our things.

“We are not going to the frat house,” I firmly state, and Taylor sighs.

“You have to, Eves. Need I remind you that you were attackedoncampus. With it being winter break, there aren’t enough people around to make it safe. It’s too easy to get on and off campus without being seen. I mean, unless you’re offering to share your bed,” he says, wagging his eyebrows, knowing damn well that I won’t be sharing any part of my bed.

I look back to a pissed off Celeste. She just shrugs her shoulders but doesn’t say anything. We both understand the logic, but neither of us has any desire to leave our beds behind. And we most certainly aren’t eager to walk into the lion’s den.

As we all walk out, and the guys lock everything up, I’m reminded once more that the universe justlovesto have a great laugh at my expense.

* * *

“You don’t like the dinner I made?” Celeste questions as she comes to sit next to me at the massive breakfast table.

I snap back to reality. “Yea, it’s good. My mind just keeps wandering.” I lay my head back on the chair and stare at the ceiling. “I’m tired of being here. I miss my bed and my space.”

Celeste sighs. “You’d think that with all this space, it wouldn’t feel so suffocating in here.”

I look around the kitchen of Psi Kappa Psi Fraternity house. It has two industrial refrigerators, three microwaves, and a stove top to make the country’s top chefs drool. It’s an exaggeration of luxury that I can’t even begin to comprehend.

I shake my head and get back to my food. A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps interrupts us. We both look up to see Justin walk into the kitchen. As soon as he sees us, he stiffens.

“I didn’t know you guys were in here,” he says quickly, almost bashful.

I roll my eyes. “It’s your kitchen, Justin.”

“I know. I just wouldn’t have come in if I knew you were in it.”

My eyebrows squish together and turn fully to face him, causing his tan face to redden.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that I would have given you space to eat in peace. Not that I wouldn’t give you peace. No, that’s not what I meant either,” he says, profusely shaking his head. “I just meant—”

I cover the grin on my face with my hand.This boy is hopeless.

“We get it, Justin. Carry on,” I say.

He stares longingly at Celeste, but she only gives him a quick glance. I watch his shoulders sag while he goes to one of the refrigerators to grab a drink and heads back out. Well, that was awkward.

“He still wants you, you know?” I whisper across the table. Her hand tightens around her fork.

“That’s ridiculous. He’s with Juliette,” she says without looking at me and goes back to eating.

“I have eyes, Celeste. It’s not ridiculous. And he’s not with her anymore.”

She lays her silverware down, lifting her head, and crosses her arms with a sigh.

“So he’s not with her, then. So what?”

“Act blind if you want to, but he still wants to be with you. And I see the way you look at him. Or rather, I see your extreme efforts to not look at him.” I smirk.

“This is a silly subject. Eat your food,” she snaps in irritation.

I put my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my palms.

“How are you going to choose?” I ask.