"How are you getting to the campus tomorrow?"

"I'm taking a cab."

"A cab? By yourself? I don't think that's such a—"

I cut my mom off and continued pacing back and forth in my room. "I'm eighteen now. An adult. I can take a cab by myself, mom."

There were a lot of things I could do by myself now that I was all grown up. Like pick what college I wanted to go to, for example. Or how I wanted to live my life.

No matter where I went to school, one thing was for certain—come graduation, I was moving out of my parents house. Yes, I loved them more than anything and we were close. Really close. And that fact was one of the reasons why I was so stressed out about this. I just hated fighting with my parents.

My mom's sigh was heavy with disapproval. I could only imagine what she wanted to say in regards to me taking a cab. Thankfully, she didn't. "What time are you getting picked up from the hotel? I don't want you to be late."

"I won't be late," I drawled. "My appointment is at two. I'm going to call a cab at twelve-thirty just to be safe. The campus is only thirty minutes from here."

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line followed by running water. A mental picture of my mom standing at the sink getting ready to wash dishes, phone between her shoulder and her ear came to my mind.

"That's good, Karma. I'm proud of you for doing this. If you get this scholarship, you can go to USF and become a nurse. Just like you've always wanted."

The phone creaked in my hand when I gripped it tightly. My eyes slid shut and I sat on the edge of my bed. I did want to be a nurse. It's been my dream ever since I was four. I did want to be a nurse and help people. I just didn't want to do it in a strange state that was one-thousand miles away from my best friends and family.

I did not want that.

"I know, mom. I'll do the tour tomorrow and get all the info you asked me to get."

"You have the—"

"Yes, I have the notecards." I eyed the bottom drawer of the nightstand where I shoved them upon my arrival and haven't opened it since. "I have everything you gave me. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't, honey. Your father and I just want—"

"What's best for me...I know, mom."

I wanted what was best for me, too. I wanted to spend my senior year applying to the same colleges as my friends. I wanted to spend our freshman year of college sharing a dorm room and arguing over who gets privacy on what day to hook up with whatever guy they were talking to.

Because those were the kinds of things you did in college. Besides the whole learning thing, of course. You dated, went to parties, ate boring campus food, and fell asleep in at least one lecture.

I know I could do those things at any college, but I wanted to do all of that with Harper and Lanie. New York was my home. Not Florida.

"Karma?"

Harper's voice had my eyes popping open to see her standing in the hall. "One sec, mom." I covered the receiver with my hand. "Hey, Harp. What's up?"

Wearing a pink and white sundress, she leaned against my door frame. "Mama Jenkins said dinner's almost ready. I wanted to give you the five minute warning."

That made me smile. Harper loved calling her Mama Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins was a second mother to us all, and Harper made sure she knew it. Poor Harper. Her parents were good people and cared about her, but they just didn't seem to get her.

"Thanks," I replied. "I'll be right there."

After Harper left my mom's voice came through the speaker of the phone. "I'll let you go, honey. Say hello to everyone for me and please call me after your tour tomorrow so you can tell me how it goes. Okay? I love you."

"Sure, mom," I said softly. "And I love you, too. Tell dad I love him."

"I will."

I finally hung up with my mom before heading to the kitchen for dinner. Harper and Lanie were already sitting at the dining room table, chattering about a boy Lanie saw on the beach. Mr. Jenkins was at the stove stirring what smelled like spaghetti sauce in a large pot. Mrs. Jenkins was humming softly as she mixed a salad.

I walked over to Mama Jenkins. "Need any help?"

She smiled and reached for the Italian salad dressing. "No, dear. We got it. You go sit with the girls at the table. Dinner is almost ready."

I joined my friends just as Lanie started getting to the good stuff.

"So he asked me if I had a boyfriend," she explained. "Since he lives in Texas I thought, what the hell, right? So I gave him my number."

"Why am I not surprised?" Harper heckled. "You're always giving out your number."

"Am not!"

"Am too," I added with a smile. "You are the queen of giving out your number."

Embarrassed, Lanie squirmed in her seat. It was true. Ever since she got a cell phone last year she's been giving her number to any guy who wanted it. And some who didn't even ask for it. She never actually did anything with those guys, but that girl loved talking on the phone.

"What about Harper?" Lanie mocked.

Harper arched a brow. "What about me?"

"You live to give out certain things too! And it isn't your number!"

I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle a laugh. Harper's jaw dropped slightly before her expression changed to one of feigned innocence.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yeah right," Lanie snickered. "And I'm Santa Klaus."

"Ho, ho, ho," I teased, completely amused by this interaction with my friends. "You both have valid points. But I think it'll be a good idea if we talk about this later. Lanie's parents are walking over here."

That shut both of them up real quick. Within the next few minutes, the table was set and the five of us were sitting around a bowl of pasta, a large bowl of spaghetti sauce that smelled delicious, and irresistible garlic bread. Where was the—oh, there's the salad. I put some on my plate.

Just as I started to add some salad dressing, I noticed Nathan wasn't—

"Mom, where's Nate?"

Jeez, I thought. I knew Lanie had good intuition, but it was like she read my mind.

Mrs. Jenkins reached for some garlic bread. "He said he was meeting a friend tonight. Someone he met at the pool, I think."

Harper and Lanie exchanged disgusted glances before continuing to eat their food.

A friend, huh? Most likely he was on a 'date' with the girl from the pool. Or someone else. I suddenly found myself wondering why Nathan chose to live this way. Countless girls. Just one after another. Never slowing down enough to get to really know someone.

Had he been heartbroken before? That would at least explain why he didn't get close to people. But I didn't think that was it. I've known him since we were four and I've never seen him in any kind of relationship.

No relationship = no heartbreak. So that wasn't it.

Forget it. I had more important things to worry about than the 'whys' behind Nathan Jenkins. Like my tour tomorrow. I shuddered at the thought.

"Karma, did you hear me?"

I looked up from my plate at Lanie with a frown. "I'm sorry, no."

"Harper and I want to get some ice cream after we finish eating. Wanna come?"

Hell yeah. Ice cream sounded so good. And much needed since there was no more Rocky Road in the freezer.

"Yeah. That sounds good."

Once we were done eating, Harper did the dishes and Lanie cleared the table. I put all the leftovers in Tupperware containers and stacked them neatly in the fridge. Since Nathan took the car to do whatever he was doing, the girls and I had to walk to the ice cream store. Luckily, it was right across the street.

We walked into Late Night Cravings and stood away from the counter to take a look at their menu. I wasn't really a fan of cones, so I was hoping they had—they did! I could just get a large cup full of Rocky Road.

My mouth watered with anticipation. I had no idea when I started relying on ice cream to work through my anxiety issues, but I was relieved for the reprieve. I was dreading the tour tomorrow.

"Can I help you?"

I nodded and stepped up to the counter. "Yes. Can I have a large Rocky Road, please?"

The cashier rang up the order. "Would you like any toppings?"

"No I...Actually, yes. Can you throw some hot fudge on there?"

The cashier winked at me. "Anything for you, pretty."

Ew was the first thing that popped into my mind. This guy was hitting on me. Well, he wasn't really a guy. I mean, he was about the same age as us.

I glanced at his name tag: Milton. Double Nope.

"Thanks." I drew the word out, unable to hide my surprise. "That'll be all."

Milton finished ringing me up and I handed him the cash. He took his time with the change, grabbing the coins one by one from the register. I glanced to the right to see Harper and Lanie watching with amused expressions.

Damn. They weren't going to let me live this down. Ever.

"Here's your change."

With a smile I reached out and took the seven dollars. "Thanks."

I waited impatiently when he left the register to get my ice cream. He never stopped looking at me while he got my double scoop of Rocky Road. And I didn't miss the way his eyes locked on my boobs when he added the hot fudge. He stared so hard, I was surprised he didn't accidentally give me strawberry topping or something.

Harper and Lanie snickered from behind me and I cleared my throat at them. It was more of an anxiety thing with my current situation, but luckily it also seemed to do the trick and they stopped.

Milton returned with my ice cream and set it on the counter in front of me. "Here you go." He looked away, his eyes darting around the shop nervously. "So I was hoping I could have your number?"

"Oh, uh...I don't have a phone. Sorry."

Okay, I knew how bad that was. As far as rejections go, that one was the worst. For one thing, I wasn't used to being hit on. There've been a few boys in school who've shown an interest in me, but nothing like what just happened. And this was from a boy named Milton.

Grabbing my ice cream, I went straight for the door. The bell chimed when I pushed it open and stepped onto the sidewalk. I welcomed the fresh air and took a deep breath.

"You don't have a phone? Really?"

"What was I supposed to say?"

Lanie rolled her eyes and grinned. "Oh, I don't know...how about 'yes'? Or how about 'I don't date guys named Milton'."

"Or you could have said yes and pulled a Lanie."

Lanie's eyes narrowed at Harper. "Did you just—"

Harper chuckled deep. "Oh yes I did."

Here. We. Go.

***

I know its a late one, but here you go! Keep an eye out for chapter eight coming to you Sunday! 😏 I'm also working on the next chapter of Falling Into Place. My work load should slow down next week and I can post more regularly. 

Thanks, guys! 

xoxo

🖤