Page 32 of Would You Rather
Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if I just… left. Being in college is fun, and of course, I want an education, but do I want one in a subject as dull as this? And for what? To give it all up when I finally graduate? To go to law school, even though it pains me to think of living life as a lawyer? I want to make my parents happy. I do. I don’t want to disappoint them. Especially after my sister died, and I’m all they have left.
Nia had just been accepted into Harvard when she died. A few months before she moved into campus, a drunk driver hit the back of her car, leaving her dead on the side of the road while they drove off.
I was only fifteen at the time, and sometimes it feels like my parents tried to replace her with me. I’d been adopted at a very young age. And while I never felt like I wasn’t part of the family, our dynamic shifted after Nia died. It seemed like my parents wanted my life to go the way Nia’s was supposed to.
I didn’t feel like me anymore. I felt like a replacement. And I yearned to make the only parents I had known to seeme,so I tried everything to be the perfect child. But nothing I did worked. Which led me straight into the arms of someone I never should have gotten close to.
When Professor Harrison dismisses the class, I blow out a breath, relieved I can finally get out of here, and I pack my bags, getting up from my seat.
I rush toward the exit before people crowd the area, but I don’t get far before I feel a tap on my shoulder. I hesitantly turn around, seeing the girls from before. “You’re Madeline, right?” the blonde one asks.
I nod, clutching the strap of my bag. “Yeah, I am.”
“You’re dating Lucas Silva?” her friend asks.
“Um…” I squeeze the strap of my bag tighter, wanting the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I was not at all prepared for this. I wonder if it’s what Lucas goes through every day. He’s probably used to girls throwing themselves at him, wanting pictures, and throwing out marriage proposals, but I am not. “Yes,” I say, feeling my throat tighten.
The blonde one furrows her brows, dipping her eyes, giving me a once over. “That’s cool,” she says before they both walk off.
I blow out a breath, hoping I won’t have to do that too often. Lying is not my forte, and the thought of having to lie to strangers with a smile on my face is agony. I head out of class, pushing open the door before the fresh air hits my face. Fuck, it’s cold. I shiver, pulling my jacket closed.
“Madi.” I turn my head to look behind my shoulder and see Connor a few feet behind, shooting me a smile. “Hey,” he says, approaching me. “Harrison is such an old fart.”
I let out a chuckle. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. “Yeah, he takes that class so seriously.”
He sighs. “That joke was pretty lame, though.”
I kind of thought it was funny. I nod, anyway.
“So, um,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later?”
My heart race spikes, and I clutch my bag tighter against my side. “Um…”
God, what is wrong with me? This guy is attractive, and he’s actually nice. Most guys are assholes, or if you’re Lucas, a hot model who complains about my perfume and drives me crazy. If I say yes, just give in and tell him I’d love to hang out with him. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
He could be like Daniel.
Connor shrugs, dropping his hand. “I just figured since you’re smart, I could use a study partner.”
He wants tostudy. Of course.
“Yeah,” I tell him, giving him a smile. “That sounds great.”
“Yeah?” his voice jumps an octave, sounding surprised as he lifts his brows. “Well, great. Does tomorrow work?”
I nod. “Tomorrow’s great.”
“Cool.” He grins again, pulling out his phone. “What’s your number?” he asks. “That way, you can send me your address.”
“Oh, um, sure.” Crap. I didn’t think of that. Gabi won’t be home until later, so it would just be us. Alone. In my apartment. It’ll be fine, right? We’re just studying. I take my phone out of my bag and we exchange numbers.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, pocketing his phone.
“Okay.” The more I think of this, the more I’m regretting it.
I watch as he walks away, heading toward the gym building. Of course, he works out. Someone who looks like that definitely works out.
“Who was that?”
