Nepotism?

Tuesday morning finds everyone but Nadia gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. Caleb gives me an approving nod spotting the hoodie back on me. Lilith wrinkles her nose in obvious distaste while Jacob just smirks, thoroughly entertained.

"Seriously, that thing again?" Lilith complains. "Girl, why bury all that gorgeousness under something so hideous?"

"Enough, Lilith. Nothing wrong with it," Caleb snaps. She drops her gaze to her cereal, though I catch the sneaky eye-roll first.

The next several days find me back in the hoodie, constantly scanning for that golden god who's somehow taken over way too much real estate in my brain. Way too much. He's crowding out space I need for actual coursework, and apparently fixating on a golden-haired deity doesn't do wonders for retaining lecture material.

That look he gave me keeps replaying, movie-scene style, on constant loop in my head. Heart rate spikes, stomach flips, every single time it resurfaces.

Even sleep isn't safe. Dreams feature his fierce, stunning face turning toward me, pinning me in place with nothing but a look. I try running, but my legs feel weighted down, sluggish, like wading through quicksand while he closes the distance behind me. I jolt awake heart racing, only partially from fear, mostly pure adrenaline excitement. Some ridiculous part of me actually wants him catching me. Insane, right?

Strangely, he's nowhere to be found the entire time I'm hooded up. Tuesday, first day back in disguise, I swore I spotted him constantly, though admittedly I couldn't stop scanning crowds either. Every blond head sent my pulse racing. Thursday rolls around, still no sightings, and paranoia sets in hard. Trap theory starts forming. Friday brings doubt, maybe his attention was aimed elsewhere entirely. Weekend hits and I've talked myself into believing none of it was real. He wasn't actually looking at me like prey. Pure imagination. Why would he, realistically? Gorgeous girls practically fall over themselves for his attention constantly. Me specifically? Absurd thought.

Monday, fully convinced my brain staged the entire fantasy. Still, cowardice wins and I skip every class that day, including our shared one, just to be safe. We're allotted five skip days per semester and I'm burning through mine fast.

Tuesday morning arrives and enough's enough. No more skipping classes, and while hobo hoodie's earned my respect, love's a stretch too far. Eventually we part ways.

I leave my room in denim shorts (built for quick sprints if necessary), a candy-striped top in light blue, pink, and white, white Converse completing things. Hair loose today. The hoodie gets stuffed into my bag though, just as backup.

Caleb frowns at my outfit choice but stays silent.

"Skipping breakfast?" Lilith asks between cereal bites.

"No time today, running late." Need to catch the seven-thirty bus, plus stop by the library first for research materials before my nine o'clock class.

"I'm driving you," Caleb announces. Arguing's pointless, so I just follow along. Man makes an offer like that, you accept, otherwise he'll physically haul you into his car like cargo. Stubborn caveman werewolves.

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Walking into Club Espresso Degree, campus's favorite coffee spot, puts an instant smile on my face. Coffee aroma mixed with fresh pastries, pure heaven. Just past ten, still fairly quiet inside. I always come straight here after first period, though normally I'm budget-conscious about visits. Skipped breakfast though, starving now. Spotting that help-wanted sign taped to the window practically has me bouncing in line while waiting on my order.

Working here would be perfect honestly. Food and I are basically soulmates already. This feels destined, fated even. Okay, mostly I'm just hyping myself up, standard procedure whenever food-service openings appear anywhere.

"Morning! What can I get started for you?" the counter girl asks. "Freya?"

"Harper!"

"Girl, where've you been hiding? Missed you in class yesterday," Harper exclaims, clearly thrilled. "Actually missing all week now that I think about it." Quick glance behind her, then leaning conspiratorially close. "Nolan's been asking about you nonstop." Mischief practically radiates from her expression.

"Yeah, just...busy lately." Busy avoiding the world, more like.

"Nol! Check who showed up!" she hollers backward before refocusing. "Anyway, what're you ordering?"

"Mango smoothie plus a toasted sesame bagel, cream cheese?" I request. "Oh, and that job posting in the window, I'm interested."

Her grin stretches wider instantly. "Nol, hear that? She's officially staff now," she announces while assembling my order.

Nolan's glasses-framed face pops up behind her. "Hey, Freya," he greets, pushing his glasses up while smoothing down his branded apron.

"Hey yourself." I grin back. He's barely taller than me, and that nervous, boyish smile makes him look impossibly young.

"Swing back around two. Owen, our manager, handles hiring. Quick form, couple questions, nothing major. Job's basically guaranteed already," Harper says, winking. "Owen's actually Nolan's cousin."

"Isn't that technically nepotism? Feels a little sketchy," I point out.

"Sweetie, worried about nepotism landing a smoothie-slinging gig? It's never what you know, always who you know," Harper replies, completely unbothered. "Besides, we're not exactly forcing his hand, just gently 'encouraging' the hire...unless tire-slashing becomes necessary."

I laugh it off, hoping desperately she's exaggerating.

"Owen's got a thing for pretty hires anyway. You're basically guaranteed," Nolan adds, then immediately looks horrified realizing what slipped out. His face floods red. "Not that, I mean, you ARE pretty, but that's not, I didn't mean..."

"Nolan, buddy, smooth as ever," Harper cracks up completely. "I officially surrender trying to help you."