by Hazel Kelly
And when Logan’s face lit up the moment he spotted me in the crowd, I couldn’t help but feel that leaving my comfort zone had been worth it.
E I G H T
- Logan -
“Nice work,” I said, taking a seat across from Zoey at the crowded picnic table.
“I trust you held up your end of the bargain?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows at the white paper bag between us.
“I hope you approve,” I said, turning the bag on its side and sliding the dogs out one by one. “I was more torn than I expected when I got up to the window.”
“Are there that many good choices?” she asked, scooting over when the students beside us got up and left.
I rubbed my jaw. “Depends on who you ask.”
She glared at the trash left by the other students. “Who does that?” she asked, extending a palm towards their mess. “There’s literally a garbage can two yards away.”
I was about to tell her not to worry about it, but she was already on her feet, shaking her head as she gathered their wadded napkins and paper trash into the plastic oval basket they also failed to clear. Incredible. Two hours on campus, and she was already taking pride in the place. How good could a person be?
It was like she just inherently did the right thing all the time. Maybe it would be good for me to hang out with her more.
Speaking of the right thing, I didn’t know if I should ask how Piper was doing or not. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know either way, but I didn’t want to seem rude either.
“There,” Zoey said, smoothing down her dress as she returned to the table.
I wished I hadn’t noticed how the fabric pulled across her flat stomach, wished I hadn’t seen the briefest hint of her hips, but I couldn’t help it. It was hot that she didn’t know how hot she was.
“You were saying?” She leaned her elbows on the table and dropped her attention to the three wrapped hotdogs between us.
“I know you’re probably sick as hell of sharing everything.”
She lifted her eyes to mine.
“But I figured you could take dibs, and I’ll eat whatever you can’t finish.”
“Are you implying I can’t eat three feet of hot dog?”
My eyes fell to her mouth and my stomach knotted. “If you’re not full after these, I’ll gladly buy some more.”
“I’m joking,” she said, throwing her big eyes to the sky. “I don’t mind sharing with you.”
“Right... Great. I got three kinds for you to sample.”
She leaned forward. “Okay.”
“Spicy chili,” I said, opening one to figure out which was which. “A beef dog.” I reordered them as I spoke so she’d know which one I was talking about. “And, of course, a regular hot dog so you could compare it.”
“Perfect,” she said, smiling at the spread before her. “Way to remember the crispy onions, by the way.”
I scoffed. “What kind of amateur do you take me for?”
She reached for the regular hot dog first.
“Interesting choice.”
“Well, if I go spicy first, I might not be able to appreciate the nuanced flavors of the other two.”
“Not just a pretty face.”
She blushed as she chewed, her cheeks adorably stuffed.
“Well?”
“Just what the doctor ordered,” she said, nodding at the two dogs left on the table. “Go ahead and start. I can’t enjoy them all at once or with you watching my every bite.”
“Oh right.” I dropped my eyes. Had I been staring? Probably. It was hard not to. She was so-
“What’s this place called?” She squinted past me.
“Technically, it’s called Loobys.”
Her face twisted. “Really?”
“Yeah, but everyone I know calls it Warby’s.”
“Why?”
“Because years ago, this guy Ash Warburton ate twenty-five spicy chili dogs and wrote Veni, Vedi, Vici across his chest in ketchup before streaking across the quad.”
“No.”
“Yeah, he was in my house.”
She cast her eyes down at the spicy chili dog. “He ate twenty-five of those in a row?”
“It’s actually one of the more believable legends about him.”
“No shit.”
I nodded.
“I better try that one then,” she said, putting the other hot dog down. “If it’s famous.”
I handed it to her, and she turned it around so she could eat it from the same side I’d already bitten into.
Her eyes smiled at her first bite. “Ooh that is spicy!”
“Right?”
“It’s delicious, but twenty-five?! I can’t imagine.”
“I’ve never managed more than five myself.”
“That’s disgusting.”
I shrugged. “Try the beef one before you fill up. It comes with a signature sauce that gives it a gamey taste I think you’ll like.”
“It’s okay to admit you want the spicy one back,” she said, extending it in my direction.
I squinted as the sun passed between the clouds overhead, wishing I hadn’t left my shades in the car. Then I could’ve stared at her all I wanted.
She tucked some hair behind her ear, and an unexpected sparkle caught my eye.
“Did you get another piercing,” I asked, studying the row of silver studs she’d revealed.
She seemed surprised by the question. “Yeah, I did. One more on each side.”
“Looks good.”
Her eyes smiled. “Thanks.”
“Can’t imagine your dad was thrilled.”
“Whatever.” She wiped a napkin across her mouth. “He has bigger fish to fry.”
“What fish?” I pulled two straws out of the bag and slid her soda across the table.
“Freddie’s failing Algebra 2. Amy broke her wrist at gymnastics. Billy’s getting bullied. The list goes on.”
I raised a palm. “Got it.”
“It’s a never-ending circus, you know that.”
“How long till someone new is in your bed?”
Her eyes flicked up at me.
“You know what I meant.” Fuck.
“I’ll be surprised if my bed’s not filled by Christmas.” She didn’t say it like she was annoyed. More like it was a fact of life she’d accepted long ago. “Which isn’t a complaint at all. I realize the world needs saints like my parents.”
“Amen to that.”
“Speaking of which, my dad was pretty bummed you didn’t come home at all this summer.”
My shoulders sagged.
“He kept your job for you and everything, just in case you changed your mind.”
“I had stuff to do here,” I lied.
“He wasn’t the only one that missed you,” she said, wrapping her lips around her straw.
I wanted to believe she was talking about herself, so I didn’t ask for clarification.
“Hopefully we can make up for lost time now, though. Assuming I don’t flunk out before Thanksgiving.”
I raised my paper cup and waited for her to cheers me. “To not flunking out before Thanksgiving.”
“And to making up for lost time,” she added, dropping her chin and batting her lashes at me.
I took the longest swig of Coke I’d ever taken just to avoid answering her.
“I feel my pace slowing,” she said, crumpling the paper from the regular hot dog in her hand. “I’m going to need your help finishing that beef one.”
“No problem.” I popped the last bite of the spicy dog in my mouth and added my trash to the bag beside us.
She lifted her face towards the sun and closed her eyes.
What was she thinking? Was she as at peace as she seemed? As happy to see me as it seemed? I’d hoped today would mark the end of the drama behind us, but instead it felt like the start of something.
“We’re having a rush event next Friday,” I said. “If you want to come.”
Her eyes popped op
en. “Yeah?”
“It’ll probably be a shit show, but the beer will be free, and since you can’t get into the bars yet-”
“Sounds awesome.”
My chest swelled with… buoyancy.
“Is there a dress code at these things?”
I bit my tongue and decided against taking liberties. “Shoes that can get sticky?”
She scrunched her nose. “Sticky?”
“After a few hours of competitive drinking games, a fair amount of beer ends up on the floor.”
“Just like parties grandma used to make.”
I laughed. “Not exactly.”
“Can I invite Nina?”
“Of course. You can invite all the girls you want.”
Just don’t show up with a guy, Zo. Please, don’t show up with a guy.
N I N E
- Zoey -
In my rush to leave earlier, I forgot my key, so I was relieved when Nina opened the door.
“Were you napping?” I asked, stepping into the room, which was lit only by the dusk peeking through the blinds.
“Guilty,” she said, combing her hair with her fingers.
I extended a white paper bag in her direction. “I brought you sustenance.”
“Oh my god, you’re amazing,” she said, snatching the bag from me. “What is it?”
“A hot dog. Don’t ever say I don’t know how to spoil you.”
“I would never,” she said, flicking her desk lamp on before folding herself into her chair. “I already feel like I’m cheating on my bestie at home.”
Boy, did I know the feeling. “Which is where again?” I crawled onto my bed and fluffed a pillow under my chest.
“Seaside, North Carolina.”
“Explains why you talk like that.”
“Like what?” she asked, unwrapping her hot dog. “It’s not like I have a Southern accent.”
“Ehhh.” I squinted. “I’d say you have a drawl alright. It’s cute, though.”
She groaned as she took her first bite.
I laughed.
“Can I assume this divine offering is proof that you’re glad you chased Logan down?”
“I am, yeah, but you really don’t understand the situation.”
“Why don’t you explain it while I’m chewing? Seems the perfect opportunity.” She opened her mouth and took an exaggerated bite, as if to demonstrate her readiness to listen.
“He told you already. We have the same legal guardians.”
“Oh sorry,” she said, holding a napkin over her mouth. “Was that supposed to make sense?”
There was no way I could avoid telling her the truth. God forbid she made another joke in front of him about us dating or something. “Ever seen one of those families on the news that’s addicted to helping foster kids.”
She nodded and took another bite.
“I’m from a family like that.”
“Wow.” She leaned over and pulled a can of Sprite from her mini-fridge. “Want one?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Please continue,” she said, popping the tab.
“I was adopted when I was six and consider my parents who raised me from that point to be my real parents.”
“And Logan?”
“He was sixteen when he started living above our garage. My parents legally adopted him a year later.”
She scrunched her face.
“What?”
“So he’s like your hot brother who’s not really your brother at all?”
“Basically.”
She laughed. “That sucks.”
“He’s also my best friend’s ex.”
Her neck thrust forward.
“Oh come on? That’s the part of the story you find surprising?”
She pressed her lips together like she was holding something back.
I raised my eyebrows. “Go on. There’s obviously something you want to say.”
“It’s really not my business.”
“Oh, now you bite your tongue. Didn’t think to do that before when you asked if we used to date.”
“Hey.” She raised her palms. “That was an honest mistake. Any idiot could see there was something electric between you.”
I swallowed.
“I just didn’t realize it was a fence.”
“There’s nothing between us,” I said. “We’re friends. Family, technically.”
“Can I be honest with you?” she asked, gathering the fried onions that had fallen from her hotdog and sprinkling them back where they belonged.
“Please.”
“He’s your type.”
I rolled my eyes. “Look, I know that might be cool where you come from, but-”
“Don’t bullshit me, Zoey. That other guy- Tom- you didn’t even notice how hard he was lusting after you.”
“So?” Lusting? Really? Piper always said it was obvious, but I assumed he only liked me because most girls didn’t give him the time of day.
“So,” she said. “When Logan was here, you were practically jumping out of your skin. I honestly thought something was wrong with you from the way you were acting.”
“What? How was I acting?”
“Like you had ants in your pants or had to pee or something.”
“Oh dear.”
“I don’t think he noticed,” she said. “It was just obvious to me because it was so different from how you seemed around the other guy, who you clearly don’t care about. That’s why I assumed you guys had history.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t tell me no one has ever picked up on your chemistry before?”
“First of all, no one has,” I said, sitting up. “And second, I work my butt off to make sure no one gets that impression, so I’d appreciate if you kept that observation to yourself. At least outside this dorm of trust.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought you liked him.”
I stared at her.
“Oh god, you do like him.”
“I plead the fifth.”
Her expression filled with concern. “Have you always felt this way?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, lifting my chin towards her food. “What happened to all that chewing you had to do?”
She turned back to her desk and stuffed her last bite of hot dog in her mouth.
For a few minutes, we sat in silence, avoiding eye contact in the dim room. When she drank from her Sprite again, I could practically hear her swallows.
“Please don’t say anything,” I said softly.
Her eyes looked sad when they found me
“I would be betraying everyone I care about if that got out.” I pressed my lips together and looked down at my lap. “Besides, it would make things really awkward because he doesn’t feel that way about me.”
“What if he does?” she asked, lowering her voice to match mine.
My head popped up. “What?”
“What if he does feel that way about you?”
“He couldn’t.” There’s no way. “Even if he did, he has all the same reasons to keep it to himself.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “In my limited experience, I’ve come to believe unrequited love is pretty overrated.”
Shame it’s the only kind I’ve ever known.
“But your secret’s safe with me,” she said, lowering her head to meet my gaze. “I promise.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course.” She reached behind her and pushed the blinds apart with two fingers. “What time is it?”
“Time to start drinking again?”
“I figured as much,” she said, sliding her desk drawer open with her foot.
“Which reminds me, Logan invited us to a rush event at his frat house next Friday, if you’re down.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked. “What house is he in?”
“The Beta House.”
A smile spread across her pretty face. “I
am so totally down.”
T E N
- Logan -
I didn’t think I was watching the door, but I saw Zoey the second she walked in.
She was in a sparkly black tank top and a short jean skirt, and as my eyes traveled down her body, I was pleasantly surprised to see her familiar sunflower boots amid the sea of impractical heels.
“Your turn,” Carter said, handing me the ping-pong ball.
I tore my eyes away from the door and turned my attention to the far end of the table. The other team was dicking around in an attempt to distract me from nailing the game-winning shot, but I was immune to their antics. “You idiots look thirsty,” I said, half-closing one eye so I could focus on the lone red cup. The noise of the raucous party faded as the eyes around the table bore into me.
“He thinks he’s fucking Rory Mcllroy,” Austin heckled. “Take the fucking shot already.”
I took a deep breath and anchored my feet in place before sending the ball in a high arc through the air. Everyone around the table watched as it rose and dropped at a perfect angle straight into the cup with a splash.
I shot our opponents a smug look as Carter slapped me on the back. “Who’s got winner?” he said, holding his arms wide as he looked around.
Two potential pledges stepped forward.
“I’m taking a break,” I said, downing my drink.
Carter’s face fell. “What? You can’t break now. We’re on a hot streak!”
“You don’t need me,” I said, patting his shoulder. “You got this.”
He leaned forward. “Austin vouched for these guys. Don’t you want to see if they’re any good?”
“You got this,” I repeated.
He groaned, knowing I couldn’t be persuaded once I hit my limit.
I gestured to a sophomore in the crowd, who hurried over as soon as he realized I was beckoning him.
“Hey Logan,” he said. “What’s up?”
Todd was geekier than our typical pledge, but last year’s class was heavy on meatheads, and I was eager to mix things up this year. Plus, he worked at my favorite sandwich place, and I caught him changing a spare for one of his customers this summer, so I knew he wasn’t a completely inept douche. Whether or not his beer pong skills were up to snuff I didn’t know, but he wasn’t the kind of kid who would force his way in, so I figured I’d give him a break.