Page 6 of Anything (Mayberry University #1)

CHAPTER FIVE

There’s Levi again, casually leaning near the auditorium doors before chapel.

His foot is propped behind him like the other night, this time on the red brick wall, in his obnoxious state of effortless style and confidence.

I bet his senior portraits took two seconds.

Swap the Tic Tacs for cologne, and boom—fragrance ad. Open, shut.

When he spots me, he brightens, but his thumb on the Tic Tac box moves rapidly. “Hey, Kit.”

Forget the moody ad. That smile will be my undoing.

“James Dean wants his pose back,” I blurt, forging ahead. Did I really just tease him again?

Before I reach the doors, he slides from his post and sneaks in a question, voice tight. “Coffee? After chapel?”

My feet stop defiantly. I compulsively gawk at him, like a zebra who stops to chat with Scar.

His reputation as a confirmed bachelor contradicts that invitation.

Is my information wrong? Is he making an exception?

I compose myself and step aside to let the other students pass through the doors.

He isn’t doing this in front of an audience.

No warrior stance, only hesitation. Nothing predatory, nothing I know to look for.

Still, one of my hands wrings the other and a truckful of danger signs—think Bruce Almighty —bounces around in my mind.

Trust in me with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge me

and I will make your paths straight.

Not that verse again. I have plenty of ideas about how to make my paths straight, and none of them include that guy.

I sigh.

Okay … I hear you. But why is this verse only popping to mind around him?

“In need of more advice?” I reply to Levi. It’s not a yes. I can’t wrap my head around a yes.

He laughs, showing off his offensively handsome eye creases. “I could always use some good advice.”

“Yo Jeeves,” someone calls out.

“What’s up, buddy. See you in there.”

I feel a stab at my lip when I bite it too hard.

“I just want to get to know you better. Maybe hear some more one-liners.” He looks innocent, hopeful.

No. Absolutely not. But the trust verse … Is that related here?

Am I supposed to say yes? This seems crazy.

“Okay,” I manage.

He opens the door quickly, ushering me through before I change my mind. “Common Grounds, here on campus. See you soon.”

Help me. This doesn’t feel like keeping myself safe.

After chapel, my hands twist in knots in the Common Grounds line as I debate—stay or bolt?

I cannot be a Bella Swan type who falls for the vampire that finds her scent delicious.

For the love. There has to be a Team Jacob way out of this, right?

His friend Austin seems sweet. I could nip this in the bud?

I rub my temples. No. Zero boys. And I’m certainly not about to hit on some guy so I won’t accidentally date his friend.

So why am I here, repeating the same mistakes I made with Aiden?

He’d been the guy every girl wanted—baseball player, charming to parents and teachers, with a face like KJ Apa.

Fit and muscular, with a crooked smile. I’d liked him since middle school—everyone did.

By junior year, I was practically glued to my table at lunch just to catch a glimpse of him heading to gym.

Pathetic, yes, but I thought that was as close as I’d ever get.

So imagine when he strode up to that lunch table, gave me a lingering high five—apparently, that’s a thing—and asked me out in front of everyone.

God was too important to me to date a non-Christian, but Aiden passed my test—he was a regular at youth group.

Sure, he was cocky, flippant, and treated girls like they were disposable, but…

it was Aiden. And he wanted me. Invisible Kit.

I ignored every red flag and went out with him again and again, even though he knew nothing about me.

I played into the attraction-only dating game I’ve come to hate.

And now there’s Levi—charming and confident and attractive to a fault. Here I am, doing it all over again, as if I didn’t learn this lesson painfully enough. A shadowy dread hangs in my mind, threatening, and then swoops down to cut a pit in my stomach.

What am I doing? Help.

I am your refuge and strength.

Levi slides into line with me, interrupting my dark thoughts. “What’s your coffee order? Be prepared for me to jump to conclusions accordingly.” His expression falls from half smile to furrowed brow when he sees my face.

“I, uh—iced mocha.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets, taking on my serious vibe. “Any other details?”

“Small. With whipped cream.” Is he going to think it’s a date if I let him pay for me? Too late now, I guess .

“Got it. Would you find us a spot to sit?” He gestures gracefully toward the quickly filling cafe. The underside of his arm is smooth, strong, and corded with veins. Yes, I noticed. I’m not blind.

I find a good spot by a window. Table and chairs, not a couch. Plenty of people around.

I take a shaky breath. He’s not going to touch me.

We’re in a crowded, public place. This is fine.

The dark tendrils of fear swirl in rebellion.

I map out my exit strategy, just in case.

On the way over an alarm went off at the library—another student prank—and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

At least Common Grounds is on the first floor of the student center. An easy escape.