Page 3 of Anything (Mayberry University #1)

CHAPTER TWO

The weight of heat and humidity feels like punishment as I rush northwest toward the auditorium for chapel.

My linen dress flutters too high with each step, so I press it down with my book-free hand, avoiding a Marilyn Monroe moment.

I could slip in a few minutes late—the girls are saving me a seat—but I can’t stand being irresponsible.

Sophie wouldn’t think twice, bouncing around on her own timetable, untethered to schedules, rules, or expectations.

She’s blissfully free. But I have to keep my life in order. Now more than ever.

Mom’s voice echoes in my head. “Hurry must be fought.” I force myself to slow down and check my phone. My jog over here paid off—I’m fine on time.

The red brick auditorium sits proudly ahead.

Nearly every building on campus is brick, as is most of the surrounding town of Pinecrest. Maybe it’s a Texas thing.

A concrete path winds through the trees that shade this part of campus.

Plenty of lush oaks, but the pines are my favorite.

Scrappy and heat-resistant, they aren’t quite the towering ponderosas of Colorado, but close enough. Their woodsy scent reminds me of home.

What is that music? I’m nearing the doors when I see its source.

A two-foot-long boombox next to a student I don’t know.

“Never Gonna Give You Up” blares as he gets his groove on eighties-style outside the auditorium.

Oh, this is good. The vintage blazer over his faded-orange shirt must be sweltering, but he’s the picture of cool as he moonwalks for his growing audience.

Yesterday I saw a freshman in the same shirt emblazoned with “Flooders.” With a matching bandana around his head, he was rolling a massive tire to class. When someone asked him what it was about, he just shouted, “Woo, NASCAR!” in an exaggerated southern drawl.

I reach the auditorium doors and step inside. At last, a blast of blessed air-conditioning hits me.

Someone whirls around and bumps hard into my side.

Ouch.

Great, now I’ve dropped my books all over the floor.

The girl calls a “sorry” as I crouch down, frantically gathering everything while trying to keep my dress in check.

As I scan the floor for anything I missed, someone steps through the crowd and bends down to pick up a pen.

Oh, that’s Levi. He holds it out to me, his confident movements turning hesitant.

My heart pounds in my chest because I hate to make a scene in public and not because some guy is handing me a pen, right? My mind screams “run,” but I try to act more chill than I feel.

He looks like Aiden the sequel. Please keep him away from me.

“Are you alright? Did you find everything?” Mesmerizing hazel eyes—I didn’t need to know about those—sweep my face as if he’s memorizing it.

Right, the pen. “Thanks, but that’s not mine.” With my best impression of an Olympic race walker, I high-tail it out of the lobby.

I squeeze past two of my girls in the G1 row and collapse into the flip-up seat beside Ayumi, still breathless. Mia and Sophie acknowledge me and continue belting out “Up Again” as it plays over the loudspeaker.

He’s just a guy. I have to get a grip. I don’t have to talk to him. He didn’t even do anything. For that matter, Aiden would never bother to pick up a pen for someone. My throat grows tight. I try to swallow away the sensation with sheer will and end up in a choking fit.

Sophie is completely lost in her dramatic singing, and Mia’s dark curls bounce as she sways, so maybe I’m safe from commentary.

Ayumi nudges me gently. “You okay?”

Mia stops mid-song. “She has the black lung.”

Levi saunters down the aisle surrounded by an entourage. He’ll pass immediately behind me. I grip the armrests and go still.

“When are you gonna knock Pretty Boy down a peg?” Mia leans around Sophie to tease me, her voice mercifully low. “I could arrange for you to save a dog from a taxi.”

“No Hitch moves required, thank you.”

Sophie jumps into “I Knew You Were Trouble.” She has no idea how accurate her song choice is. My cheeks twitch at her enthusiastic rendition. She could pass for a young Taylor Swift, especially when she leaves her hair wavy. Full-on Fearless era.

Mia joins in to sing, thrilling Sophie. Ayumi’s dark eyes and tight black braid usually give her a severe look, but when she brims with laughter, I break into giggles.

Just what I needed. I shake my head at my suitemates.

I haven’t wished for my book-character friends once since I’ve been here.

God wrapped up flesh and blood girls, complete with hilarity and movie quotes and songs for days, and dropped them into my suite as a beautiful present.

Thank you.

I elbow Sophie. “Your birthday’s in a month, right? We need to get planning. ”

She sucks in a breath and strangles me with a hug across the armrest. “Yes!”

I rub the ear that is now permanently impaired. “I have an idea. Want me to run it by you or keep it a surprise?”

“I love surprises! Aw, Kit, you’re the best.” She hugs me again.

She twists around, and Austin throws her a little smile—they know each other?—on his way to the section behind us. Knowing Levi is back there makes me want to turn around and find him Where’s Waldo style. To keep tabs on present danger. Not to catch a peek.