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 and

waiting for a response, I say, "Honestly,

me

all right?"

I even nod this

change your

extra cash on me to get whatever kind of slice

through mine and when we arrive at the cafeteria, Easton and Ryan are already sitting at

to the lunch line, me tossing

and is eating chicken nuggets and tater tots instead, money he probably scored

a slice of pepperoni and

a seat

“Hey,” I say softly.

forward to tuck some of my

so long to join us?"

look at the empty spot in front of me where my lunch should be

snore fest today or is it just me?" "Isn't it always a snore fest?" Ryan

“Agreed,” Easton says.

you're

just seems extra slow and draggy

because we're seconds away from graduating,” Blake

realize he joined us, but he's standing behind Easton and me, Sadie now taking a seat next to

He's smiling so hard, I think his lips are going

guesses?" he asks

Easton shrugs.

your kind goes?" “Funny, asshole; Blake

let's be honest, had I applied to Harvard, I would have gotten in.” He

school's emblem at the top of the email, jealousy completely filling me even though I hadn't applied

an amazing feeling to have

“Congrats, Blake, that's amazing"

about you?" he asks

news yet?" I suck in a

Easton?" He crosses

have bought your way in somewhere, am I right? Since you don't have Leigh's pussy to get you a mailbox full of acceptance letters?” “Fuck you,’

I'm wrong, then tell me the giant list of schools you've

know he doesn't

don't have to

school. He's probably going to be working

"You're fucking relentless"

hiding.” Easton turns around to

you think I'm hiding

trying to figure out if he's going to

you shut up?"

want right now, for