Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“It’s Intro to Bio. There are like a thousand people in that class.” It’s held in one of the biggest lecture theaters on campus. However, I only noticed Brody because he was with Chase, who’s impossible not to notice. Chase is bigger than life, has more charisma in his left pinkie than I do in my entire body, and is drop-dead gorgeous. They also both live on the same floor as me in residence. How I managed to end up living with hockey royalty is beyond me. My sister is unaware of this fact, and I plan to keep it that way. I don’t need her to try to matchmake my friendships, swooping in to save me like some ethereal cool to my awkward weird.
But I’m not complaining about the number of times I’ve seen a shirtless guy wrapped in a white towel walking from the bathroom back to their dorm room so far this year.
“Have you introduced yourself to Brody?” Essie presses.
“I’ve said hi.” A total of three times, while passing him in the hall. Brody always initiates. Sometimes I get the sense he’s more like me. Not nerdy, per se, but quiet. Introverted. Like all the attention the sport he excels at is a burden and not a flex.
“Good. Brody’s a sweetheart.” Essie continues fixing her makeup. “How’s that submission for creative writing coming along?”
“Oh, it’s coming,” I lie again.
“I can have a look at it for you before you hand it in,” she offers.
“I still have a bit more work to do. And they have services here for that.” By a bit more work, I mean that I have ninety percent left. All I’ve completed so far is the opening paragraph. Every time I sit down to write it, my brain takes a trip down No Thank You Lane into Let’s Write Fanfic Instead Ville.
Essie stops to give me a disapproving look. “Please tell me you’ve started.”
“I’ve started.” One paragraph. “You know how I am. I’m good under pressure. I’ll get it done.” It’s not due until the end of the semester; I have loads of time to procrastinate.
“I’m here to help. Just let me know if you need a set of eyes or a brainstorming session.”
“Thanks, Ess. Where are you headed tonight?” I prop my chin on my fist as my sister changes into a slinky, gold tank top with spaghetti straps. She’s braless with Band-Aids over her nipples. I wish I had a speck of her confidence.
“Sahar Jordan, who played Lila on The Way We Weren’t, is throwing a party. I couldn’t say no to the invite, because of course I want to see what her house looks like. Also, all the sexiest people in the city will be there, and I need to make more contacts again.”
“Sounds like a blast.” And the very last place I would ever want to be. “Are you happy to be back in Toronto?” Essie has been working as a makeup artist in Vancouver for the past two years. But she recently accepted a contract in Toronto. Rix is getting married next summer, and Essie is the maid of honor and wants to be here for all the planning.
“Not excited about the winter, but happy to be close to you and Rix and Mom and Dad again.”
“I’m happy about that, too.”
“One of these weekends, you have to come out and meet all the Terror girls. They’re so much fun. We could go to the campus café, and I could introduce you to––”
“Sounds like a plan.” And a lot of social anxiety. But I’d do it to spend time with my sister. And if Rix is there, it’ll be less awkward.
“Okay, little sister. I have to run, but we’ll talk again later this week?”
“Sure.”
“Hey, are you going out tonight?” Essie asks this every time. The answer is always a lie.
“I’m hanging out with friends in the common room later.”
“Good. Great. I told you university would be good for you! Love you, Cam.” She makes a kissy face.
“Love you, too, Ess.”
She ends the call and I flop back in my computer chair.
My stomach grumbles obnoxiously. I haven’t eaten since lunch. It’s six fifty-seven. Which means I’ve missed dinner in the good cafeteria and all I can order is a crappy burger or a sub. Neither is appealing. But the common room has a kettle so I can make ramen.
Do I have a kettle in my room? Of course. And a microwave and a mini fridge.
But if I go to the common room, I’ll likely see Chase. And Brody, which would make my sister happy. They’re practically glued to each other’s sides. Unless there’s a girl hanging off Chase, which is ninety percent of the time. But I could still see Chase. Watch the game (him) for a few minutes while I make ramen. If I’m lucky, there will be a line and I’ll have to hang out for twenty minutes or so. It’s happened before.