CHAPTER 1

(HALLE’S POV)

The last day of the first week in this new semester, and I woke up late—AGAIN!

Can I believe I turned off the eleven alarms I had set the previous night?

I just wish this school would at least assign a roommate to me, and she must be a light sleeper. She must be nice and well-behaved, too. My previous roomie from last semester was the worst.

I had just two lectures today and was already halfway through the first by the time I woke up, so I might as well just skip it. Mrs. Evelyn was taking it, and she’s not the best at what she does.

A ping from my phone snapped me back from my internal monologue. It was a message:

*‘Hi gal… where you at? Your fav lecturer just left,* followed by a smiley emoji and a confused one.

That is Mitch, my best friend, and he has always had my back right from junior high. Mitch is openly gay, and I couldn’t be more proud of him considering how religious and conservative his family is towards people of color.

*‘Oh, shut up, big mouth, and that witch-like woman isn’t my fav lecturer (rolling eyes emoji). Anyways, I’ll meet up with you soon; woke up late again (crying emojis).’*

He texted back almost immediately:

*‘Okay, babe… you-know-who just asked for you (wink emoji).’*

I sighed and rolled my eyes; I knew who he meant.

I stood up and looked in the mirror. I was a mess and had just an hour before my next lecture.

The lecturer taking my next class was my sister’s current boyfriend—Mr. Damon—and I didn’t want to miss his class, or else my sister would almost explode my phone with calls and angry messages as to why I was skipping lectures.

I finished taking a shower and put on my jeans trousers with a pink cropped top. I had to let my hair down because it never stayed in a bun no matter how hard I tried to tie it.

Picking a black tote bag from my racks, I carefully arranged my notes and other materials before stepping out, closing the door behind me.

*****

‘…and that’s why we should try exercising. I normally exercise well and think I’m pretty fit,’ Mr. Damon said, almost sounding stern yet chill.

‘Yh… that’s why you should join the football team, man—you’ll be a great quarterback,’ Dave shouted from the back, sounding comical as the whole lecture hall burst out laughing.

Dave was you-know-who.

‘Nah… stop flattering me, and moreover, I’m too old for that—but I would definitely join the staff team if we ever get one,’ Mr. Damon replied, half-laughing while already packing his pad and adjusting his glasses and well-ironed suit.

‘You are the youngest lecturer in this school and you don’t look any older than us—you know, just much bigger, and you have multiple degrees we don’t have,’ Sarah, one of the cheerleaders, said.

‘Okay class, I guess that’ll be all. Go through your notes, and we’ll meet next week. Class dismissed,’

Mr. Damon said between laughs.

Mitch nudged my shoulder, and I looked up from packing my bag. Mr. Damon was looking at me, smiling.

He had just asked my older sister to be his girlfriend four weeks ago, although they had been unofficial for over three months, right after my sister broke up with her ex-boyfriend. He had been a constant bug in our home since then—well, until I left for school, though. I didn’t know he’d be lecturing me this semester; he just had to make everything awkward.

I nodded, stood up, and carried my backpack with Mitch tagging along.

‘Gonna pretend like you don’t know me?’ Mr. Damon said as we got close to the door.

‘I nodded at you,’ I replied, sounding indifferent.

‘Ouch… so much for trying to socialize with my favorite in-law since Caleb isn’t here,’ Mr. Damon said with a little comical tone, and he was now grinning from ear to ear. Caleb is my younger brother; he loves Mr. Damon, and they’re like good buddies.

I rolled my eyes. ‘Okay… Mr. Damon, I’ll make sure to greet you with a card next time,’ I said sassily as I walked out.

‘Hey, that wasn’t very nice… he’s a nice man,’ Mitch said as we walked down the hall.

‘You wouldn’t understand, Mitch, he’s…’ I didn’t finish my statement when Jane interrupted us.

‘Hii… Halle and Mitch, so there’s a party at Rose’s quarters tonight by 10 PM, and you both are invited.’ She handed us a little flyer while giggling.

‘Will there be beers and boys?’ Mitch asked with sparks in his eyes.

‘Yes, duh… everyone will be there, just bring your wonderful selves,’ she concluded and skipped over to the guy in a hoodie relaxing by his locker.

‘OMG, girl… we are already in the popular group! We got invited to a party—yipee!’ Mitch was so excited, and it made me smile, too.

‘Okay, bye now, I’ve got a party to save,’ Mitch practically sang while bowing like a prince to me.

I walked to my dorm and slumped on the bed.

My first-ever invite to a party—I hope I don’t screw anything up.