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“I love you, too. Enough mushy talk for the day. Tell me about the new90 Day Fianceseason. I need to catch up.”

“Oh my gosh.” She sits up straight in her seat and rests her elbows on the table. “You won’t believe who they casted again this season!” she squeals as she fills me in on our guilty pleasure show, not leaving out any details.

After our reality TV update, my bookbag vibrates against my thigh, indicating a notification.

Liza: Good luck on the quiz tomorrow. You’ve got this, Hotshot.

I let out a chuckle and stare at my phone like a complete idiot. I haven’t seen Liza since our first session for her art portfolio project, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about that day ever since. She has a way of reeling me in, releasing me back, but keeping bait on the hook to lure me in every single time.

“Earth to Hartley.” Violet’s waving hand in front of my face snaps me out of my Liza induced haze. I place my phone face down and try to play it cool.

“Yeah?”

“You were staring at your phone like someone sent you a love letter. Spill!”

“Nothing to spill.” I wink at her and that scowl returns in full force.

“Sure. Ok.” Violet whips her head back and forth in disappointment. Thelastthing I need is her head filled with hopes of Liza and I becoming something.

“I know you. All these secrets will bubble up inside until you explode and finally tell me. I’ll wait it out.” She gets up, pointing her fingers to her eyes and back at me without a second look.

21

Hartley

Ithink I died and went to heaven. That or an out of body experience. Maybe this is a dream. I slap my cheek harder than intended to confirm that this is in fact not a dream. I throw my fists in the air and pump up and down, unable to control my excitement. Class ended five minutes ago and everyone else is long gone, but I’m glued to my seat staring at the results of the art history quiz I submitted.

“Mr. Knox.” My professor startles me out of the moment I was having. “You’re acting erratic and my next class starts in five minutes. Would you please leave for the day?”

“Sure. Yes. Absolutely!” I scream across the empty classroom as I slam my laptop shut and stuff it in my bag. I’m on top of the world, and there’s only one person I want to talk to.

Me: Switch your major to education.

Goldie: How did it go?!

Me: You’re looking at a C student.

Goldie: What?! That’s amazing!!

Goldie: How are we celebrating?

Me: You. Me. Hot Wings.

Goldie: OOOOOO love it. Your place?

Me: I’ll be back soon. Come over whenever.

I lock my phone with a sense of relief and a weight lifted off my chest. My worries are a little lighter for the first time in weeks.You did it.It’s just one quiz, but I’m used to failure in the classroom. This quiz gives me a sense of hope that I can juggle both school and football. I owe Liza more than just hot wings. She executed the perfect study plan, and I pray she stays around to help me out for the rest of the year. I take the trek to upperclassman parking, hop in my car, and speed home to clean up a bit before she gets to the apartment. I’ve never cared about what my place looks like to girls, but I have an overwhelming urge to impress Liza.

“Vi!” My booming shout echoes through the empty apartment. Phew. By the lack of response and absence of tapping feet on the wooden floors, I think it’s safe to say that Violet’s not here. She’s been spending more time with Ryan, and I’m happy if she’s happy, especially if he gives her an outlet for all of her pent up anxiety she holds within herself. A part of me still sees her as a naive girl who needs fierce protection from the world. Thepromise I made to her grandpa is tattooed in my brain forever, so I can’t get comfortable with her new relationship this quickly.

Whisked away by my thoughts, a vibration hits my thighs. I reach into my pocket to grab my phone.

Group Message: Offensive Legends

Mason: Downtown Tap tonight at 10.

Ryan: pass