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.

cant do that unless I have an idea of where

waiting for a response, I

me

all right?"

sure?" I even nod this time

you change your mind,

some extra cash on me to get whatever kind

mine and when we arrive at the cafeteria, Easton

line, me

lunch Mom made and is eating chicken nuggets and tater

is devouring a slice of pepperoni and sipping on a

seat next

“Hey,” I say softly.

tuck some

took you guys so long to join

in front of me where my lunch should be sitting, the weight of the day hitting

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

“Agreed,” Easton says.

guess you're right," I

just seems extra

away from graduating,”

didn't realize he joined us, but he's standing behind Easton and me, Sadie now

guess where this genius got into college?" He's smiling so hard,

on, any guesses?" he asks

Easton shrugs.

Isn't that where your kind goes?" “Funny,

have gotten in.” He holds

viewing the school's emblem at the top of

must be an amazing feeling to have that

“Congrats, Blake, that's amazing"

about you?"

yet?" I suck in a

Easton?"

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

giant list of schools you've gotten

even though I know he doesn't find

certainly don't have to

going

"You're fucking relentless"

just don't understand what you're hiding.” Easton turns around to look

I'm hiding anything?"

figure out if he's going to knock out Blake or

shut up?" Easton asks

right now, for you to