Page 38 of Anything (Mayberry University #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Back on the floor, my resolve is tested immediately. Mateo, Ethan, and Noah are in the hallway.

“Jeeves,” Mateo calls out, “when are you gonna let it rest with your embarrassing stalker project?”

My jaw snaps shut.

Can I say something?

I stare him down and walk past them.

“It’s pathetic.”

“Knock it off, Gru,” I try.

Make me like you, Jesus. I don’t want to put up with this punk, but it’s your call.

“Just saying. You’re such a pansy now, groveling over a tease.”

I backtrack to Mateo and get in his face. My fists are clenched, and I hope he sees them. I’m ready to push him, even fight him, if he says something else about her. “You will not speak about Kit like that. ”

Mateo flinches, then forces a shaky laugh. “Fine, whatever, man. Relax.”

I turn and go, endeavoring to keep my fists to myself. I’m so fed up with all the grief I’m getting, but I can be tenacious.

My room is empty. Austin must still be out with some girl. A new one every week—it’s starting to worry me. I should convince him to open up, but who am I to pry? Kit says I’m cagey, like her.

I have the sudden urge to grab a book I read last summer, Love Does by Bob Goff. I thumb through the pages till I land on a portion I’d highlighted.

“But I’ve always wondered if, when we want to do something that we know is right and good, God places that desire deep in our hearts because He wants it for us and it honors Him.

Maybe there are times when we think a door has been closed and, instead of misinterpreting the circumstances, God wants us to kick it down.

Or perhaps just sit outside of it long enough until somebody tells us we can come in. ”

Yes. That’s it. This is for me—I just know it.

Alright, I’ll sit here outside the door. Even if it’s death by a thousand cuts.

My girls and I settle in before chapel. Sophie’s evocative rendition of “Perfectly Loved” fades out when a pack of late Flooders swagger up the aisle in search of seats. Their usual spot must be full.

Leo waves enthusiastically, toothy grin widening.

He’s getting more comfortable with Sophie.

Austin sends us a dude head-tilt. When Levi spots me, he graces me with the most elegant of nods.

He seems off, but that makes sense. The Belle conversation was the last time we spoke alone.

I tuck my hands under my legs and hold his gaze.

Something in me begs to send my cowardice packing.

I’m sick of overthinking. I hate pushing him away.

I draw in a calming breath—time to focus on Sophie. “Leo is so into you, Sophs.”

“I’m just glad he isn’t all weird anymore.”

Sophie’s thing with him is out in the open now, so I lean around Mia and continue. “How’s it going with you two?”

Ayumi squirms next to me.

“I mean, good-ish.” She shrugs a shoulder. “The good part is, he just, like, says what he’s thinking. It’s super refreshing. He said he just liked me too much and that’s why he couldn’t talk to me. It’s cute, right? I hate the guessing games.”

The guessing games. I know too much about sabotaging a relationship with those. I want to know more about the “ish” part, but chapel is about to start. Not the time.

“That’s awesome to hear, Sophs.” Mia side-hugs her. “Except now two of you are all gushy and boy crazy.” She points a finger down her throat. “How about that nod, Kit? King Charles couldn’t be more formal than that guy. Your little alien.”

My grin drops. He isn’t my alien to claim. He can’t be. Unless something changes. Unless I change something.

Make me brave? Can I ask that?

Austin plunks down next to me in Calc III—it’s not a test day. He never sits next to me during a test because I “write too fast.” Whatever that means.

“Morning, Kit,” he says, giving me another unreadable look. I wish Sophie were here to translate.

“Good morning.” I’m about to say more when a girl from class walks over. Instead, I pull out my phone. He’ll be busy until class starts .

“Austin?” she says.

“Yo.”

“Do you … have a pencil I can borrow?” A sophomore in an engineering math course, but she doesn’t bring writing utensils to class? Doubtful.

Twelve unread messages this early in the morning.

I’d bet my graphing calculator it’s our family text chain.

Mom’s always been big on breakfast together before school.

Even a thousand miles away, they sometimes text me while they eat, like I’m still part of the conversation.

I just hope I haven’t missed my chance to join in this time.

Mav

Kit’s turn. CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. You see two staircases. One rises into the sky. One descends into the ground. Which do you choose?

Grey

Too easy. She’s never gonna pick the path into the ground. Remember when she used to sneak into our room at night because she was scared of the dark?

Mom

She did have that archaeology phase in fourth grade.

Grey

So now it’s a dinosaur dig site she could walk down into?

Dad

*Bones and Booth GIF*

*Stairway to Heaven GIF*

Mav

She’s not a big fan of heights either. That’s why this is an ADVENTURE.

Grey

She’s taking forever. Don’t college students know they can text in class too?

Mom

Ahem.

Grey

I wouldn’t. No way. I have too much to learn.

Mav

It’s 7:30 there. I can’t imagine college students signing up for a class that early in the morning.

Dad

*Jeopardy GIF*

It’s not the same without the music.

Mom

Love you, Kit girl. Good morning from your favorite family!

Good morning! Stairs to the sky. The big blue Colorado sky. You guys are nuts. I love you all.

Grey

Macadamia?

Almonds?

Pistachios?

Cashews????

A laugh sneaks out of my mouth. Mav is allergic to cashews and calls them “poison.”

Pencilless Girl looks between Austin and me. Don’t mind me. I’m absolutely no hindrance to your Austin-date goals.

Mav

Hey I’m the one asking the questions here.

Except Grey is texting this for me while I drive. So that’s confusing.

And we’re def macadamia nuts. To call us cashews would be the greatest insult.

Almonds. Still palatable in large quantities.

Mav

I think that’s a compliment.

You get to the top of the staircase and see a hot air balloon and a rocket ship. Also a ninja starts up the stairs after you. What do you do?

A staircase doesn’t seem like a safe place for a rocket to take flight. I’ll step into the hot air balloon. And I invite the ninja to join me for a pleasant journey.

Grey

You achieved the impossible. Mav is speechless.

*Picture of flummoxed Mav at the wheel*

He says he needs to provide multiple choice next time so you don’t go rogue with the kindness.

Dad

That’s my girl. Bravely inviting ninjas to hang with no fear. Sounds like Jesus.

*Jesus GIF*

Mom

So proud. See, Kit? You’re the bravest of all of us.

That afternoon I spot Levi headed to his car—Grey would correct me that an SUV isn’t a car but a vehicle—and I wave as I pass by. I just finished dropping off a research book for my Bible paper at the library. I don’t usually see him at this time.

With a cajoling tilt of the head and a sad smile, he calls, “Can I tempt you away from the studious afternoon ahead?” His pace continues, like he has no hope I’ll agree.

But something in me clicks into place—or maybe out of place. I dash toward his parking spot, ignoring the screams of my better judgment. I have to get in the car before I change my mind. This is my chance to be who I want to be—to be Brave Kit. I’m doing it.