Page 36 of Return Policy

“Yeah… Rain or shine.”

I stare up at the blue sky and curse it for the only black cloud being directly over my head.

12

ELIJAH

Professor Mintz has been droning on about the Babylonian Empire for what feels like centuries, and I’m counting down the seconds till class is over.

I keep glancing at Sophia, whose attention is focused solely on our teacher. Not sure why because this lesson has been boring as shit, and she hasn’t met my gaze once, which isnotlike her. Typically, she catches me looking, fights a smile, then pretends she can’t feel my eyes on her while she squirms in her seat.

It’s my favorite part about coming to this class.

“Alright, see you guys Thursday,” Professor Mintz announces, and I quickly gather my stuff, throwing my backpack over my shoulder. I turn around to make my way toward Sophia, but she’s already gone.

Damn, speedy little thing.

I rush out of the classroom but don’t see her anywhere, so I pull out my phone and text her.

SUNFLOWER

Me

You shot outta class like a racehorse today, you good?

Sunflower

Cool as a cucumber ??

Me

Any plans later?

I go to the stadium, endure a grueling practice, shower, go home, make dinner, andstillno response.

What the hell's going on with her?

A full twenty-four hours goes by, and Sophia still hasn’t texted me back. I get into bed after another long ass day, then scroll through our chat to see if there’s anything I could've done to upset her. Everything seemed fine Monday, although she got a little weird after her brother called, but I’m not sure what that would have to do with me.

After staring at the ceiling for what feels like hours, unable to fall asleep, I decide to text her again.

Me

Thanks to Monday’s study session I think I’ve got tomorrow’s quiz in the bag

I guess your use of food as a motivator was pretty effective

Worry gnaws at my chest like a vulture on roadkill. If I knew where her dorm was, I’d show up right now, but I’m afraid it would look a little stalkerish to show up at ten at night for no damn reason.

I do the only other thing I can think of and scroll through my contacts, tapping call.

“Hey, it’s Dean. I can’t get to the phone right now. Leave me a message… or don’t, but I do love me a good voicemail. Have a blessed day!”

“I’m real tired of gettin’ your voicemail, Dino.” I blow a raspberry between my lips. “It’s been a shit week… Starting to think my sunflower’s seriously ticked at me… just can’t figure out why. If you’ve got any advice for figuring out a woman, drop it my way… Alright, well, it’s pretty late, so guess I’ll try to hit the hay. Love ya.”

Walking into class the next day, my eyes immediately gravitate to Sophia’s empty seat. A tight feeling settles in my chest as I sit down, unpacking my stuff. My eyes are heavy, and even the basic bitch latte I picked up on the way to class isn’t cutting it. Professor Mintz hands out the quiz, and I peer over to find Sophia sitting there, not even bothering to glance in my direction.

Unsurprisingly, by the time I hand in my quiz, she’s already gone. I pull out my phone in another last-ditch effort to get her to respond.