You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 166

Harper

"Did you bring anything good for lunch?" Sadie asks as she meets me at my locker.

I shake my head.

"I watched Mom throw it together this morning before work"

I hold up the bag, so she can see it.

"Turkey sandwich.

Chips.

An orange.” I laugh.

"I know you're dying to get your hands on an orange.

Wanna trade?" “Um, hello, we know my mom is the worst cook ever, I've got nothing you'd want in my lunch bag.

It's going straight in the trash and I'm buying some pizza.

Want a slice?" "No.

I'm good"

The truth is, even if I had a good lunch, I wouldn't eat it.

My stomach is such a mess.

And it has been all week.

I've been waiting to hear back from the colleges I applied to and I haven't gotten a response.

It seems like the entire senior class has heard something—whether it's an approval or denial from at least one school.

Even Ryan and Sadie have.

But all I've heard is silence.

And it's terrifying.

I need to know, I need to plan.

I need to prepare for what's about to happen with my life.

But most of all, I need to prepare for what's going to happen between Easton and me.

I have an idea of where I'm going to go

my best friend is waiting for a response, I say, "Honestly, Sadie, I'm

gives me a

all right?"

sure?" I even nod this

you change your mind, let me

extra cash on me to

when we arrive at the cafeteria, Easton and Ryan

I part, her going up to the lunch line, me tossing my

eating chicken nuggets and tater

a slice of pepperoni

a seat next

“Hey,” I say softly.

forward to tuck some of my

you guys so long to

were talking, that's all.” I look at the empty spot in front of me

is it

“Agreed,” Easton says.

you're right," I

just seems extra slow and draggy

we're seconds away

but he's standing behind Easton and me, Sadie now taking a

this genius got into college?" He's smiling so hard, I think his

he

Easton shrugs.

that where your kind goes?" “Funny, asshole;

applied to Harvard, I would have gotten in.” He holds up his phone

Diego State, bitches.” “Wow; I say, viewing the school's emblem at the top of the email, jealousy completely filling me even though

feeling to have that approval

“Congrats, Blake, that's amazing"

you?" he

yet?" I suck in

Easton?" He crosses his arms across his

Since you don't have Leigh's pussy to get you a mailbox full of acceptance

giant list of

know he

don't have to

right ... Easton is too good for school. He's probably going to be working as a busboy next year.” "Jesus,’

"You're fucking relentless"

hiding.”

I'm hiding anything?" Blake

figure out if he's going to knock out Blake

you shut up?" Easton

fucking want right now, for you to stop