Page 269 of Burn Bright

HARRIET FISHER

By Friday, everything is happening at once. I almost believe I pulled a Dorothy, got swept up into a tornado, might’ve knocked myself out. Sure, I’m not in a magical land where witches ride in pink bubbles—and the lions I know aren’t cowardly—but I am in the Honors House.

Fairytales.

I think today I am slowly accepting that I might be living mine.

“It’s perfect you could move in so fast,” Kiki Kershaw says after showing me into my room. I try my best to lock eyes with her and not gawk at my new surroundings. “Most everyone is headed home for winter break. I’ll be in Cleveland on Monday, but there’s a few stragglers who alwaysstay here for the holidays. Guy, among them. Do you have plans? I can let him know if you’ll be here.”

I’m blown over knowing that I was never going to be alone for the holidays this year. Even if Ben had chosen to be at the lake house.

“I’ll be in Philly.” I pause.

If I mention Ben, is it a braggy name-drop?

Fuck it. I’m name-dropping my boyfriend. “I’m spending the holidays with my boyfriend and his family. I’m dating Ben Cobalt so…” My face is red-hot, mostly because I’ve never publicly declared myself as taken, and it’s weird but also…I kind of love it. I love belonging to someone. I love how that someone is Ben.

I love that he also belongs to me.

Kiki nods into a laugh. “I knew it.I knew it.Wait, wait”—she raises a protective, serious hand—“he’s not still with Kappa Phi? I heard he dropped out, but you need to beverycareful, Harriet. They will try to sleep with Honors House girls just to fulfill this ridiculous frat bet.”

Looks like the bet isn’t so secret after all. “I heard about that one.”

“You did?” She’s genuinely shocked but doesn’t ask whotold me.

Though it might be obvious it’s Ben. The loyal parts of me are still vitally intact, and I’d never throw him under, even if this bus isn’t moving fast enough to kill.

I nod in confirmation. “But Ben isn’t in the frat. So he has no big ties to KPD anymore.”

“Good,good.” She nods robustly. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but you were my first choice. The House was split for a while on who to pick, which is why it tookforeverthis semester to choose our twelfth member.” I already heard mutterings that it’d been between me, Easton, and Grace, the other pre-med hopeful. “Guy also went hard for you.”

That surprises me, considering I said about two words to him this whole semester, but he’s super friendly with Ben. I have a theory he likes that I’m one-degree from the Cobalt Empire. Venus also might’ve voted for me in hopes she’d meet Charlie Cobalt, but honestly, I don’t even care if my connections helped push me over the finish line.

Everyone has them here. It doesn’t discredit all my other achievements, and why would I want my life to be harder? Why should I feel guilty for the boost over the hurdle?

I don’t.

I’m just really fucking happy.

Once Kiki hands over my key and a welcome packet, she tells me she’ll be in the study room if I need any help with my things, but she’ll let me take it all in. She must notice my eyes bouncing around the space.

“Thanks, really,” I say to her. “Being here means…” I have no words to express my gratitude and elation of completing this impossible goal.It’s not so impossible, Harriet. Look at you now.

Her smile grows exponentially. “We know.” I’m in a house full of overachievers, who’ve all clawed for this, who’ve all been here before. “We’re happy to have you here, Harriet.”

It lifts me. I amfloating.

When Kiki reaches the door, I raise a hand in asee you later. She smiles back, then disappears. I twist around in a three-sixty at my bedroom. Plain cream walls, a corkboard with pushpins, mopped shiny floors, a sturdy wooden desk beneath a quaint window, a dreamy collegiate view of the snowy front yard, a single bed that’s all mine. This isall mineto make my own.

I toss the key and packet on the desk. My lungs swell, and I can’t help myself—I hop up and down and pump my fists in the air. Yes, yes,yes!

When I spin around in a karate-kick-leap combo, I connect with a body and hear a gruffoof.

“Shit.” I extend my hands and freeze as Ben winces into a full-bodied laugh. I scan him rapidly for injury. “Did I kick you in the dick?”

“Not quite that high, Fisher.” He nods toward his leg, his arms full. He carries a cardboard box of my things, my backpackslung on his shoulder, and as he brings them to my desk, he casts an epically attractive glance back at me. “Did I just witness the Harriet Fisher happy dance?”

“Technically youfeltit.