Page 39 of Return Policy

I have a strong feeling that isn’t why she’s been avoiding me all week, but this definitely doesn’t feel like the right time to ask about it.

“Always,” I mumble into her hair. “Seriously. You need me, I’m there. Okay?”

Another sigh as her body melts against mine. “You got it, dude.”

“Atta girl.” I chuckle, feeling her smile as she holds tighter. “Okay, time to find your sketchbook. Where’s the last place you had it?”

“I drew during world history this week, but I already checked there… I’m on my way to my English classroom now.”

“I’ll help you search.”

“Elijah, I appreciate the gesture… but it could be anywhere. This campus is huge, and I have no clue where I left it.”

“Go back to your dorm, look through your room, and I’ll check your classrooms, okay?”

“I already looked in my room,” she says, staring at me as if I’m the village idiot. Then again, I did pinky swear to bejust friendswith her, so maybe I am.

“Just check again, okay?”

She studies my expression. “Why are you helping me?”

“Sophia…” I push a golden lock behind her ear. “You’ve already brought me to my knees. Do you really need to ask?”

Her lips turn upwards, and the corners by her captivating eyes crinkle. “Okay… thank you.”

“I’ll text you in a bit.” I pull her in for another hug, kissing the top of her head like a reflex, and she squeezes me a little tighter.

“Okay, see you.” She pulls out of my grasp, turning to walk away. A few seconds later, my phone buzzes, and when I check it, a picture of her sketchbook fills the screen.Time to find this bitch.

BIG STING ENERGY

Me

Hey, I need a favor

Theo Schroeder

Got your dick stuck in some poor girl again?

Me

It’s not my fault she had a piercing I was unaware of

And we agreed never to speak about that again.

Julian Liscero

YOU said we weren’t allowed to talk about it. We politely declined

Noah Caruso

We are never NOT talking about that.

Theo Schroeder

I’ve earned my right to talk about it

Desmond Ball

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