It’s only seven, but already the arena is packed with rowdy fans ready to watch the Sunnyvale Hawks hockey team. Everyoneisdeckedoutintealandsilver–theofficialcolorsofourschoolandteam.ThisismysecondyearatSunnyvale,and Icouldn’timaginegoingtoschoolanywhereelse.Thesmallcampuswasevenmorebreathtakingthantheonlinepicturesand brochures I had looked over when I had made the decision to attend after high school Tucked outside of a bustling city, Sunnyvaleoffersgorgeousbeaches,smallcafes,andshopsandistheperfectplaceformetostartoutonmyown.
Oh yeah, because if I turned down the assignment, that would be the nail in the coffin for any chance that I would land my dream job of interning at The Vibe, only the most influential and popular social media and news platform
“Iknowabsolutelynothingabouthockey,”Iyell,tryingtogetmyvoicetobeheardovertheloudnessofthearena.“Ofallthe assignments to give me, this has to be some kind of sickjoke,” I say, rollingmyeyes as a guystumbles past me, his beer sloshingovertherimofhisplasticcup.
Laceymoves her redhair offher shoulder as sheturns toface me.“Justwatchthe game,getthe details youneedtowrite yourarticle,andthenwecanleave,”shesighs “Besides,youjustgotaglimpseofafull-blownnakedhottiebackthere,”she yells,pointingbehindus.
“Wecanstaylonger,”Isay,notwantingtoruinher night.Sheagreedtocomewithme,sotheleastIcandoisshow her a goodtime.“Ihavemypresspass,sowecangointothelockerroom.”
Hearingthis, Lacey’s eyes go wide, and a devious smile creeps over her soft, porcelainskin “Did yousaylocker room? Youmean,wedon’tjusthavetospyoutsidethedoorinhopesofseeingthegloriousformofanakedman?Oh,hellyes,”she shouts
ignoredhercomment Ineedinthatlockerroom,butnotforthereasonsLaceydoes Iwrapmysweateraroundmeasthearena iscoldfromtheice.Iglancedownatthenotesfrommyprofessoronmyphone.IneedtodoastoryontheHawk’sstarplayer, TrippStevens Notably,oneofthehottestguysontheteam,healsohasoneoftheworstreputationsinthemediarightnow And forgoodreason.
Grabbingmyhand,Laceystarts pullingme towardthe left Laughing,Ilether pull me as Istuffedmyphone backintomy pocket.Wereachthelockerrooms,andIspotatall,muscularmaninall-blackstandingguard.Heeyesusasheapproaches, andIcantellfromthewayhe’ssmirkingatmethathethinkswearejusttryingtogetaglimpseattheguysagain Eventhough LaceyandIarecompleteopposites,Ican’thelpbutloveher.LaceyandImetwhenwebotharrivedatSunnyvaleonthesame day.Wewereassignedtoberoommatesandhititoffimmediately.
IspotTrippsittingonawoodenbench,lacinguphisskates He’salreadyinhisuniform,saveforhisJerseyandhisglorious, rock-hard abs are onfull display, butIsee a tightness inhis jaw. Musteringmycourage, Iwalked over to him. Sensingmy presence,helooksup,buttheglowerhegivesmecausesmetotakeastepback "Whatareyoudoinginhere?"Trippaskedgruffly."Noreportersallowed."
The crowd around us goes wild as the game begins Tripp skates across the ice, stickhandlingthe puckwithease as he weavedbetweendefenders.AsIsitinthestands,tryingtoignorehimbutunabletotakemyeyesoffhisskillfulplay,Idecide thatmaybeIwill justfocus onhis athleticismandhis skillful moves Clearly,he’s notgoingtohelpmewiththis piece,soI willjusthavetowriteitasbasicasIcan.Takingoutmyphone,Istartedtotakenotes.
Aguybehindmepumpedhisfistintheair,andItoremyeyesawayfromwhereIwaswriting Trippwasglidingacrossthe iceatlightningspeeds.His teammates were rightbehindhim,bumpingandmovingthe opponents as theytriedtostopTripp fromhismission.ThecrowderuptsinawildcheerasTrippliftsuphishelmet,revealinghiswidegrinandsparklingeyes.He pullsthemaskbackdownand continuestoskatedowntheice,twistingandmaneuveringhisstickashehandlesthepuckwith control. AsheapproachedtheboardsnearwhereIwassitting,hewoundup,flickinghiswrist,andslappedablisteringshot inthenet Thegoalieneverhadachanceasthepuckrocketedintothetopcorner Asirenwailedasaredlightflashed The crowdroaredinappreciationwhileTrippcircledback,baskingintheapplause.Raisinghisstickupintheair,hethrowsoff hishelmetonceagainandlaughsashecelebrateswithhisteam
It was hard not to cheer alongwitheveryone else – evenif I felt like that puckwas a missile launched straight for me. Regardless ofwhata painhe was, Tripp was talented. He glanced up atme withthatsmuggrinthatsentshivers downmy spine
Justthen,adefenderangledhimoff,andTripplostcontrolofthepuck.Itslidharmlesslytowardtheboardsinfrontofme. Asitgotcloser, Trippgotitonhisstickagain,lettinghimgive itonelastwhack,sendingitstraightformyhead I gasped and recoiled as the puck struck the glass right in front of my face. The glass spider-webbed under the impact. Screaming, Igrabbed onto Laceyas a few other people inthe stands ducked and jumped away Thankfully, the glass didn’t break,butIswearmystomachdropped.
“I’mjustgivingthepeoplewhattheywant,”Jacesays,hisfaceseriouseventhoughthereisnothingseriousaboutJace “Well,theonlypeopleinheredon’twanttoseeyour STD-infestedcock.Getdressed.Wehittheiceinfifteenminutes.”I scowlathim,butJaceknowsI’mnotreallyangry.We’veknownoneanothersincewewereinelementaryschool.Theguyis hilarious, and I wouldn’t want anyone else onmyteamor bymyside evenif he needs to learnhow to put onsome damn clothes.
Pattingmeontheback,Loganoffersasmirkasheheadstowardthewalkwaytotheice.Mostoftheteamisalreadyonthe ice, butIlike to take mytime and getmyselfinthe rightheadspace before a game. It’s beenmydreamto playprofessional hockeyeversinceIfirstlearnedhowtoskate IgrewupinashittyneighborhoodwithJaceandLogan WemetTopherwhenhe moved to our area, and he was always skating. One day, he tookus to anice skatingrinkand taughtus how to skate. From there,webecameobsessedwithhittingtheiceandplayinghockey Idon’tknowwhereIwouldbetodayifhehadn'ttakenan interestinusandkeptusoutoftrouble.Mostoftheguysfromour oldneighborhoodareinprisonor dead,sotosayweare gratefulisanunderstatement.Now,Topheristheassistantcoachtoourteamandthereasonwecametothisuniversity.Weowe himeverything
IknewIwasintroublethemomentIsawthelookonmyboss'sfaceasheheldupmyblogpostfromlastnight.Chad ran the University Press, which had moved more into the modern era of technology and didn’t print newspapers Instead,wewroteweeklynewsarticlesthatwentstraighttostudents'emails,theschoolwebsite,aswellasblogsandsocial mediaposts StudentsatSunnyvalereliedonustogivethemtheirnewsandcoverageoverissuesandbrandstheycaredabout Whenhetextedmeearlierthatmorning,demandingtomeetmebeforeclass,IknewIwasintrouble.
Star Player lived up to his name last night – Tripping Tripp.
If you saw the game last night, then you witnessed the almost deadly mishap that Tripp, the self-appointed star player of the Sunnyvale Hawks, made. What appeared to be a trip on the ice almost landed the player on literal thin ice. Maybe the arrogant guywho seems to walk on water mayhave flaws after all. Want more information? Check out these videos sent in from fans at the game.
Readingbackmywords,Ifeltasmileofaccomplishmentcreepacrossmyface.TheveinonChad’sforeheadbulged,andI couldn’thelpbutstareatit Foraguyonlytwoyearsolderthanme,heseemedmoreliketwodecadesolder "Caretoexplainthis?"Chadasked,hisvoicecoldasice. Igulped,tryingtocomeupwithsomething,anything,togetmyselfoutofthismess. “Well,itisalltrueinformation.Imean,ifyouwatchthevideos…” “Idon’t want to see the videos,” Chad roars, throwinghis hands up inthe air wildly. “Youwere givenone simple task, Sadie All Iasked youto do was write anexcitingarticle abouta star player Imean, the guymaybe anasshole, buthe is worshipedbyallofthefemalesoncampus.Couldn’tyoujustmakehimlookgood?” IhatehowChadischastisingmerightnow HemaybemybossattheUniversityPress,butheisstillastudentjustlikeme ButguiltcreepsovermeasIrealizehisangerisjustified.IwasbeingpettywhenIwrotethatpost.IknewexactlywhatIwas doing.RegardlessifTrippwasajerkornot,Ihadajobtodo.Ifailed,andforthat,Ineedtomakethisright. Stuffingdownmypride,Ihumblemyself “Chad,Iamsorry TrippwasajerkwhenIinterviewedhim Iknowthatisn’tan excuse.Iwillmakethisright,Iswear,”Isay.
Iwantso badlyto remind himthathe gave me this assignment– and one thatIknow absolutelynothingabout. Myentire careersofaratthepresshasonlyshownthatIenjoywritingfeaturearticlesabouttravel,lifestyle,andcurrentevents Whyhe feltlikeIwouldenjoywritingahockeystarprofile,Iwillneverunderstand.
As Iwalkacross campus tomyfirstclass oftheday,I’mlostinthought.Thesunwas shininghighaboveme,nestledina babybluesky Itwasanotherbeautifulday,andIcouldn'timaginehowanyonecouldbeangrylivinghere Decidingtoattend collegeinsunnyCaliforniahadsurprisedeveryoneIknew.Especiallysinceallofmyfriendsandhalfofthecheerteam,which Ihad beena member ofsince middle school, were accepted to the communitycollege backhome inKentucky. Ihad never veeredawayfrommyfriends Wehadallpracticallyspenteverydaysincekindergartentogether,butnow,Iwasclearacross thecountryincollegebymyself.However,Ihadsecretlydreamedallofmylifeofgoingsomewherefarawayfrommyfriends andfamilymoney Iwantedtogrow Tofindmyself Tomeetnewguys,notjusttheboysIhadgrownupwithallofmylife Oh yeah, and school was placed somewhere in that vision, too. Somehow, I had found the courage to do this and find the excitementinwhatthisjourneyheldforme IlandedagreatinternshipandneededtokeepmyroleifIwantedtopursueareal career injournalismafter college.How couldIwrite a storythatwouldmake Trippseemwholesome? Itwas goingtobe a challenge,giventhenegativeviewmanyseemedtoholdofhim.And,tobehonest,myblogpostlastnightdidn'treallyhelphis imageeither “Hey,pressgirl,”Iheardshoutedfrombehindme. Turning,IspottedTripprunningtowardme Ohshit,wasIimaginingthis?ThereisnowayTrippwouldbeyellingforme.Anddidheforrealcallmepressgirl? “Areyoutalkingtome?”Iask,stoppingasheapproachesme. Afew people slowly walk by, watching as the infamous Tripp moves past them. Damn, this guy really is admired and detested oncampus. The girls are readyto drop their panties for him, and the guys wantto punchhim. Watchingall oftheir reactionstohispresenceisentertaining
“Yeah,I’mtalkingtoyou,”Trippsaysangrily.“Whatthehellwasthatpostabout?” So,clearly,hesawmyblogpost Icouldn’thelpbutsmileatthethoughtofmybloggettingthatmuchattention “Whatpostareyoutalkingabout?”Iask,doingmybesttofeigninnocence. Trippsweepsahandoverhisheadandletsoutanexasperatedsigh.“Don’tplaydumbwithme.Youknowexactlywhatblog postIamtalkingabout,”heyells,catchingtheattentionofotherstudentsoncampus. Angerfloodsthroughme.Idon’tknowwhothehellthisguythinksheis,butIwillnotletamanyellatmelikethis. Steppingtowardhim,Iclosethedistancebetweenus,catchinghimoffguard “Youareright;Idoknow whatpostyouare talkingabout,andIstandbywhatIsaid.Youarearrogant,dangerous,andfullofyourself.Ishouldhavewrittenmore,butIdid mybesttocensormyself,”Ishoutedback Tripp’seyesgowideashestaresdownatme.Until now,Ididn’trealizehow tall andmuscularhereallywas.Hetowers overmelikeanoversizedtree,andmaybeIshouldbeintimatedbyhislargepresence,butI’mnot.Iknowguyslikethis.They thinktheyare untouchable Theythinktheycantalkdownto those ofus who theydeemas notgood enough Butlittle does Trippknow,Iamnotthetypeofgirlwhoallowsanymantobelittleher.
“Youcallthatcensoring?YoucalledmearrogantandclaimedthatItrippedontheice Youwereatthegame,soyouknowI didn’tmessup,”hestates,hisjawtensingasIcanseetheangerburninginhiseyes. Restingahandonmyhip,Ipulloutmyphoneandcheckthetime IhavetenminutesbeforeIamofficiallylatetomyclass I hearTrippexhaleagain,andwhenIlookupathim,heseemsagitated.
Justthe wayhe’s staringathis computer shows me he is pissed Whenhe finallyglances up,he nods his headtowardthe chair facinghis desk. Hangingonthe walls are years and years of pictures of championship teams he has led to victories. Retiredjerseysaredisplayedwithshinedtrophies ThemanisalegendandsomeoneIhaveahealthyfearandrespectfor CoachCarlisn’taguytomesswith.Eveninhisfifties,themanisbuiltlikeabrickwallandworksouteveryday.Hissalt andpepperhairisshavedclosetohishead,likemostofusyounghockeyplayers.Inhisday,hehelpedseveralcollegeandpro teamswinchampionships.After acareer-endingleginjury,hewasaskedtobecometheheadcoachatSunnyvaleUniversity. He takes his job seriouslyand treats us all like we are one ofhis kids – well, excepthis daughter, whomwe have all been warnedtostayawayfrom “Sit,” he grunts, picking up his coffee mug and taking a sip. Another thing about Coach Carl is that he drinks coffee religiously
“Well,thereareotherswhodon’tthinkyouarecharming.Here,letmeremindyou,”heyells,throwingpapersatme.Some landinmylap,and othersfalltothefloor Quicklyscoopingthemup,Iseemynameplasteredacrossseveralheadlines Tripp Stevens Hockey God or Devil in Disguise?
Shakinghishead,Coachslamshiscupontohiswoodendesk.Afewpensscatter,butheneverstopsstaringatme.“Idon’t giveashit,Tripp Myjobasyourcoachistohelpyoutakeyourhockeycareertothenextlevel,butthatwillneverhappenif youkeeppissingeveryoneoff.Sleeparound.Havefunwhileyouareyoung–Igetthat,butintentionallyruiningyourreputation willgetyoutoafarmteamatbest,”heroarsout Rubbingthebridgeofhisnose,hetakesinadeepbreathandvisiblycalms down.“Thatgirl,Sadie,she’ssupposedlyoneofthebestwriterstheyhaverightnow.Herbosshadtopersuadehertotakethe interview Apparently,theguyswhowritesportsarticlesareintimidatedbyyou,andalloftheotherfemalesonlywantedthe jobtosleepwithyou.Thisgirlistherealdeal. Youmaynotgetanotherchance,Tripp,butifyoudo,don’tfuckitup.”Ihate thathe’sright.Iscrewedupthischance,andIknowit.However,I’mnotaquitter.I’vebeenthroughmoreshitinmylifethan anyone knows I’ma fighter Afucking champion I won’t let Sadie stop me fromchanging the public’s perception of me, especiallyknowingthatpro teams won’tevenbother to signme ifIcan’tgetmyshittogether. No NHLowner or franchise wantsafuckuphinderingtheirbrand
The smell of pizza and french fries mixed with the sounds of muffled laughter and scraping chairs had me momentarily forgettingaboutmyworries.Igrabbedatrayandshuffledforward,hopinginspirationwouldstrikebeforeIreachedthefront oftheline.
“Absolutelynot IwillwriteastoryonceIfigureouthowtomakethetowntrolllooklikeaprince,”Iseethe Chuckling,Trippstartstobackawayfromtheline,butthenpausesandcomesbacktowardme.“I’mnotaprince,baby.I’ma fuckingking,” he whispers, leaninginso close thatIfeel his warmbreathcaressingmycheek Ihate how mybodyshivers beneathhim.
Oh, hell no. Iknow Tripp isn’tinsinuatingthathe canflirtwithme and flashthatcharmingsmile, so Iwill be readyand willingtosleepwithhimliketherestofthefemalesatSunnyvale
Groaning,Ipaddedacrosstheroomandgrabbedthelaptop.Istareattheblankcomputerscreen.Anemptypagestaresback at me I could write anentire novel about his charm, how he lights up a roomwhenhe walks into it, and how he carries himselfwithsuchconfidence.Icantalkabouthissweettalkingandhowgreatofabodyhehas… Shakingmyhead,Iclosethedevice.IfIstartwritingaboutTripp’spersonalityitwillquicklyturnintowhataplayerheis. And,ifIstarttalkingabouthisbody,thatwillturnintoaneroticstorythatIdon’tthinkmybosswillapproveof Lyingbackonmybed,IdecideIdon’treallyhaveachoicebuttospendtimewithTrippinordertowritethisarticle.One day That’sit Nothingmore
After showeringand soakinginanice bath, I grab myduffle bagand head out of the arena WhenSunnyvale University decidedtostartacollegehockeyleague,theDeancreatedamulti-milliondollarhockeycomplexandbrandnewdormsforthe teamplayerstolivein Apparently,therewereseveraldonorsandresidentsinSunnyvalewhohadbeenbeggingtheuniversity tostartahockeyteam.Alotofpeoplethoughtitwasridiculous,withSunnyvalebeingaCaliforniacoastaltown,nooneever thoughtahockeyteamwouldbringinanyfansorrevenue Butallofthehaterswerewrong Oncewordgotoutthattheschool wouldbe creatinga hockeyteam,scouts fromall over the countrybeganbringinginstar players theyfoundinhighschools. Topher was one of the first players recruited, and his team led the first-ever Sunnyvale hockey team to several state championships TheguysandIenviedhim,andwhenhetoldustoapplyandsendourtapestotheschool,wedidn’teventhink
Once he takes off, more thanlikelyheadingto the bars thatare walkingdistance fromour dorms, Icontinue the shorttrek acrosscampus.
“Tripp,”Ihearafemalecalloutfrombehindme.
Groaning,Istopagain.I’mnotinthemoodrightnow totalktoanyone,andIreallyjustwanttogohome.Ispotafamiliar girl sashayingup to me. She’s one girl who I‘ve hooked up withbefore butnever bothered to call again. Hell, Ican’teven rememberhernamerightnow
Eachofthedormsinourbuildingwasdesignedtolooklikesmallapartmentscustomizedwithourownkitchens,livingroom space, three or four bedrooms, and private bathrooms ineachbedroom The sharp lines and cleansurfaces ofthe furniture mademefeellikeIwaslivinginacastle,eventhoughitwasonlyanapartment.Growingup,Icouldonlydreamofplaceslike this Lightgraywallsandlargewindowsoverlookingcampusmaketheroomsfeelinviting,andthenewleathercouchesand flat-screen television in the living space are masculine but warm. I keep my roomclean and tidy, a way I can truly show appreciationfor this life Ihave foundmyselfin.Logan,Jace,andI share this dorm,butunlike me,these guys are complete slobs Myking-size bed is made up, myblacksatinsheets folded nicelyand neatly, justreadyfor me to fall into them My closetislinedwithmyclothesaccordingtosizeandstyle.It’sallmine,andIknowIneedtoappreciateitall. Fallingontomybed,Iclosemyeyesfor amomentandletthedaycomecrashingdownonme Withinseconds,Icanfeel sleeptakingover,andthankfully,Idon’tfightit.
Rubbingthebridgeofmynose,Iexhaleaheavysigh.Hopefully,Chadhasreceivedmyarticle,soheshouldbeappeasedfor now I had heard Lacey knock on my bedroomdoor last night, but I had turned on music, plugged in my headphones, and disappeared fromthe restofthe world. Ishould have texted her back, butIwill have to do thatnow. And mymom… Ijust don’thavetheenergytotalktoherrightnow Myparentsthinkmyjournalismpassionisnothingmorethanaglorifiedhobby Theydon’tseewritingasalucrativecareerpath.Withbothmymomanddadbeingattorneys,theyhadhopedIwouldfollowin theirfootstepsandgetalawdegree,butIneverhadanyinterestinlaw Imean,Icanarguewiththebestofthem,butwhenit comestopracticinglawandeverythingitentails–Ijustfounditboring.Writingandexploringnewculturesandtrendsiswhat reallybringsmeexcitement.KnowingIcan’tignoreeveryoneanylonger,Iquicklyrushoutafewreplies.
Ilookedupintothefaceofthepersonwhohadretrievedmyphone.Irecognizedhimfromoneofmyclasses–Sociology,I think. He had brilliant green eyes and a wide grin that usually seemed to be on the verge of laughter. I remembered them becauseLaceyhadpointedouthowhothewas Shealwayshasherradarturnedonforhotguys Iexpectedhimtohandmemy phoneinsilenceormaybesnarkilyremarkabouthowclumsyIwas.
Preston is adorable and sweet. I honestly didn’t think guys like this existed. Most guys look at Tripp and envy himfor sleepingaroundandhavingapowerfulstatus It’sendearingtohearthatPrestonseespastallofthat Westartwalkingagain,andPrestonstaysrightnexttome. Wemakeidleconversationsaboutthecampusandtheupcoming semester. The sunwas shiningbrightlyinthe morningsky, and a lightmorningfogstill hunginthe air. The world feltstill, suspendedinamomentofpeace.IhadbeensopreoccupiedthelastfewdaysthatIhadn’thadamomenttobreathe.Thiswas nice.
I’mstillstandingtransfixedasSadiedisappearsintooneoftheclassroombuildings,andthenerdshewasjustflirtingwith turnedandwalkedtowardanotherbuilding.Theguywaswearingkhakipantsandalightblue poloshirt.Whothehelldresses like thatontheir wayto class? Mygraysweatpants and blackfitted t-shirtare comfortable and whatmostguys seemto be wearingtoclass,especiallymorningclasses.
Islaphimontheshoulder,knockinghissunglassesoffhisface.“Don’tevenstartwiththatshit.YouknowthatIdon’tfucking date EspeciallysomeoneasirritatingasSadie Thegirlhasitoutforme Youreadthatpostshemade”
Oncemyclassisover,IrushoutofthebuildinginhopesofcatchingSadiebeforesheleaves.Mostmorningclassesstartand endaroundthesametime MyphysiologyclassisnexttothebuildingIsawSadiewalkinginto,soIjogonoverandwait Maybe Loganis right; I do looklike a creep waitingfor her, but I don’t have a choice. I need to know if she has made amendswithherarticlebeforeIheadtopracticetonight IfCoachisstillpissed,practicewillbebrutalforme Afterafewminutes,IspotSadiewalkingthroughthedoubleglassdoors.Whenshespotsmestandingwithmyarmscrossed overmychest,Icantellshe’snothappy.Evenfromadistance,Icouldtellshewasagitated.Whenshelookedupandspotted me,herfrowndeepened,andascowlappearedonherface Forsomereason,thismademelaugh
Sadiesighed,hershouldersrelaxingslightly."Look,I'msorry,"shesaid."I'mjust...I'vebeenstressedoutoverthis.Butyou will be happyto know thatIwrote somethingand sentitthis morning. Istayed up all night, so I’mnotinthe bestmood. It makesyoulooklikeastar,soyoushouldbehappy"
“Great,that’swhatIwantedtohear.”
Herbodyimmediatelyturnsrigidasshepokesoutahip,andIcanseethesassgettingreadytospew all overme “Ihate howpompousyouare.”
Narrowingherblueeyes,Sadielooksasthoughsheisabouttoexplode.Fuckme,sheissexyashellangry.I’veneverfound a womanattractive whentheyare pissed off, but Sadie just screams sexappeal. I would love to bend her over one of the benchesbesidethebuildingandfuckthatsassrightoutofher
Foramoment,Iseesomeofthatbuilt-uptensioninsideofhersubside,butjustasquicklyasitleft,itreappearsagain “You arewelcome,butIdidn’tdoitforyou.Iowedmybossthearticlehewanted,andIneededtosetthingsright.Journalismismy major andwhatIwantas mycareer.Hopefully,this is the lastsports article Ihave towrite,sowe won’tever have todeal withoneanotheragain.”
Ihavenoideawhatcomesoverme,butItakeasteptowardherandclosethedistancebetweenus.Whenshegaspsatmy nearness,Ifeelmydickgrowinghard,andIhopemysweatpantsdon’tshowoffthehard-on I’mexperiencing “Whydon’tyoujustadmitthatyoumightlike me?” Iaskher.Those blue eyes glow as theylookupatme.She opens her mouthandmyeyesimmediatelytraveltothosebeautiful,pinklips.Damn,thosearethemostkissablelipsI’veeverseen.Ifeel myselfmovingcloseruntilmylipsaremereinchesfromhers “I’msureitwasexcitingforyoutowriteaboutme Justknowing youwereupallnightthinkingaboutmeturnsmeon,”Ibreathe. Iswear,Iseehershiverasshejuststaresatme Then,mygod,shebitesherlip,andittakeseverythinginsideofmenotto crashmylipstohersanddragherbacktomydorm.
“TheonlythingIwasthinkingaboutwastheideathatIwouldneverhavetoseeyouagain But,it’snicetoknowIaffectyou somuch.MaybeyoulikethatIhadtowriteaboutyou,butitdidn’tdoanythingforme,wellthat’snottrue…”shepauses,and for asecond,Ifeel myheartstartingto race.“Ifeltmyselfgrowingvery,very–” she moves in, her lips now hoveringover mine,“sicktothestomach”
Apparently,Trippmusthaveafancluborcampuspaparazzifollowinghimbecausewewerephotographedinavery heatedandcompromisingscene,andthose pictures are now plasteredall over Instagramandanyother social media platformthatpeopleuse
Ican’tdenythefactthatwedolookhotstandingthere,buttheexchangewasanythingbutsexy.Tripphasthisinnateabilityto pissmeoffbut,atthesametime,getmeturnedon IwoulddiebeforeIadmittedthatIgotalittlewetlookingatpicturesofhim on the internet while writing my article. His washboard abs are perfectly defined from the years of skating and extreme workouts Hisarmsarehuge,andthemusclesseemtopopoutofeveryshirthewears
Sighing,Istopinmytracks.How hadIforgottentoheadstraighttohisofficeafterclass?Turning,ImumbletomyselfasI stomptowardtheJournalismbuilding.Ican’ttellfromhistextwhetherheishappywiththearticleornot.Ifhe’snot,Ihaveno ideawhatIamgoingtodo Myjobatthepressdoesn’tpay,andIneedthecreditIwillearnforpassing IfIfailthisclass,my parents will never letme hear the end ofit. More thanlikely, theywill force me into a differentmajor. Iswore, whenthey agreedtopayformytuition,thatifIcouldn’tmakeitintheJournalismprogram,Iwouldgiveupmydreamandgetadegreein aprogramtheyfeltwasmore‘realistic’–theirwords,notmine.
I walked into the building, and mynerves were churning. I bit mybottomlip as I moved throughthe halls witharticles displayedproudlybehindglassframes.AsIwasstandinginthehallway,Iheardavoicecalloutfrombehindme. "Iloveyourarticle!"
“Yeah,seriously!”Chadchuckled.“Imean,Iknewyouwoulddoagoodjob,butIknewyouweren’ttoothrilledaboutthis assignment Youkilledit!,”heraved Ihadworkedhardonthearticle,stayinguplateanddrainingmyself,butIwasn'tsureIhaddoneenoughtogetnoticedor make everyone happy Pride and joyfilled me To make things evenbetter, Iwon’thave to deal withTripp anymore Igave myselfaninternalhigh-fiveatthat.
“Youknow, for a lotofpeople, sports are important. Youcould use this as a steppingtool into the media world. Alotof sports journalists travel the world, and after a few years, they switch over to writing topics they are passionate about. Everyonehastopaytheirdues,”heexplains.
“Sure, thatsounds nice” Igave himmycell phone number, and we decided to go outthatevening Justas I’mputtingmy phone away, IspotTripp walkingour waywitha girl wrapped around his arm. Whenour eyes meet, he gives me a strange glancebutdoesn’tstoptogivemeahardtimelikeusual I’mnotsurehowIfeelaboutthat,butIcan’tworryaboutTrippright now.I’vegotanotherguywantingmyattention,andI’mgoingtochoosetherightguy.
PrestonandIstrolledintothe cozydiner oncampus, its walls adornedwithfadedmovie posters andneonsigns We are enveloped in the comforting aroma of sizzling fried food and rich, freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. With a chivalrousgesture,heheldthedooropenforme,andIcouldn'thelpbutfeelaflutterinmystomachathissmallkindness As wesettledintoaboothbythewindow,thesunlightwasstreaminginandcastingawarmglow overourfaces,andIcouldn't shake off a sense of unease despite Preston's sweet and attentive demeanor. Thoughthis was our third date, somethingjust wasn'tclickingbetweenus
We settled in and made small talk about our classes and upcoming exams Preston told me about his plans for after graduation, his eyes lightingup withexcitement. Butevenas Ilistened, Icouldn'thelp butwonder ifthis was reallywhatI
