10. Sammie

CHAPTER 10

SAMMIE

I cy tendrils whip around Serena and me as we wait for our families to emerge from the growing amount of traffic pouring into the university grounds. Family Day. Every student has the chance to show their families around the grounds and have them meet their professors. Despite enjoying my newfound freedom and college experience, I'm so excited to see Mom and Jackson. It feels like I have been away from my family for months, not a handful of weeks.

Mom's car appears in the procession of cars. She pulls into the northern parking lot before finding one of the few spots left. Jackson is already eagerly looking through the window, head swiveling on his shoulders as he takes in the enormous, tall old buildings and the extensive grounds.

Dull green grass is dusted with white from last night's scattered snowfall. The lanterns on the poles dotted around the paths and through the manicured lawn areas are still on. Music blares from behind the main administration building, which is adorned with a bell tower. Mom and Jackson leave the car, wandering in our direction.

Jackson spots us first and sprints to where we stand, flinging his arms around me in a huge bear hug. How did he grow so much in a few short months? For a senior in high school, he is the typical lanky, tall teenage boy, but I swear he got bigger. I giggle and he lifts me off my feet. Show-off. The smile that spreads over my face lights to a cheeky grin then melts to something more somber.

"I missed you something fierce, Sammie. It is not the same at home without you."

I dot a kiss on his cheek, and he blushes. I remember Serena is by my side.

"Sorry. I missed you, too, little bro."

"Did you get taller or something, Williams? I'm pretty sure the giraffes are going to need shrinks if they see your height." Serena punches his arm.

He chuckles and the heat intensifies on his neck. She shakes her head at him. Mom arrives and wraps me in a tight hug.

"Hello, my love. How's this only been a few months? An entire year's dragged past, I swear."

"I know," I whisper into her hair. The familiar feel of my mom's arms around me and her smell swallowing me brings a prickle behind my eyes. She breaks away from the hug, holding me at arm's length, her gaze running up and down me. "You look so grown up. You just"—she squeezes my arms—"you both look so well. You're thriving!"

"Thanks, Mrs. Williams," Serena says, before she goes back to scanning the parking lot for her mom's Volvo.

"Should we wait for Serena's mom?" I ask.

"No, you guys go. I'll text when she gets here and come find you," Serena says, not taking her eyes off the fast-filling parking lot.

"If you're sure," I say, nudging her arm with my elbow.

She drags her focus from the sea of cars and meets my eyes. "Yup, go ahead; she won't be long."

"Okay, well. First, you have to come and check out the gorgeous old buildings. We can start with the administration building," I say, waving toward the large red brick structure with a bell tower across the green lawn. Jackson huddles into his coat and walks beside me, bumping shoulders every so often. Gosh, I missed him. His sweet face and bright blue eyes are lit up with wonder as he flicks the light brown hair from his eyes and shoves his hands into his pockets.

"You coming here next year, too?" I ask.

He glances at Mom before returning his focus to me. "Dunno, maybe."

"You haven't thought about it yet? You're a senior."

"I'm aware. Trust me, the parentals haven't let me forget it since the minute you left." He rolls his eyes, and I laugh.

Mom chuckles. "Your dad and I want you to have the life you want, and that starts with knowing which direction you want to go in."

"You have told me this already. I will pick something, I promise."

"You'll figure it out, Jackie," I say and swing an arm around his shoulder, attempting to ruffle his hair, but he is taller than I am used to, and I end up hanging off him by one arm. He raises an eyebrow, rooted to the ground.

"Anyone ever told you you're super embarrassing?"

"Only you," I laugh and remove my arm from his shoulder and straighten his jacket. "Luckily, you recover well. Come on." We approach the wide steps. "The inside is even better than the outside."

H alf an hour later, as we are wandering around campus, heading for the lecture halls, Serena and her mom catch up to us.

"Hey, Mrs. Stewart!" I hug her, and she pats me on the back. Serena's mom has always been a little awkward, almost robotic. Serena laughs, saying the alien abduction triggered it and she's never been the same. But the love she has for her mom shows in their every interaction. When she was thirteen and they first moved in and we met, Serena and her mom weren't that close. As we got older, they became much closer after her dad left.

"Hello, Samantha, it's good to see you girls so happy. I am thrilled, this place is wonderful."

"We love it. Mom, thanks for the nudge." She leans into her mom's side. Mrs. Stewart plants a kiss on her forehead and Serena closes her eyes like she is breathing her in. Despite arguments over when she should start college, they have such a special bond. I adore both of them. They are family. "What's inside this door, Sammie?" Jackson says, pushing the door to Mr. Sullivan's lecture hall open.

"No!" I jump toward him and grab his hand. The latch slips from his hand, but the door drifts open. I reach to close it.

A hand grabs the side of the door, opening it fully. Standing in dark jeans and a navy sweater is Lewis, a welcoming smile spread across his face. He looks so different when he smiles. He's stunning. Butterflies fling from the pit of my stomach, and I look anywhere but his face.

"Welcome, come in. This is the lecture hall most first years use for our archaeology and literature classes. I'm Lewis. Feel free to look around." He nods for us to enter, and Jackson wastes no time striding across the front of the room, arms wide.

"This is so cool." He sits in a burgundy velvet chair in the front row and leans back, making himself at home. "Imagine the things you're gonna learn in here, Sammie."

Lewis's focus is solely on Jackson. He forces a laugh and walks to where Jackson sits. "I'm not sure your friend Samantha shares your enthusiasm."

Jackson cocks his head, staring at me. Lewis turns to face us. Mom looks at me with an expectant look, as if I need to explain that accusation. I have no control over Lewis's opinion of me and less over the myriad of thoughts that will be burying their way into Mom's brain with a statement like that. Her brow crumples with concern.

Now my heated stare burns into Mr. Sullivan's brown eyes as I shake my head. What an ass!

"I am properly enthused for every class I take, Mom; please don't worry."

"Okay. You don't want to lose your scholarship, Sammie. That's not an option for us."

Heat floods through my neck and face. I can't believe we are having this conversation in front of Mr. Ye Olde Worlde Mansion here. "I won't, I promise."

Mom visibly relaxes, and Serena's mom interrupts, "How many students attend most lectures, Lewis?"

"Anywhere from fifty to one hundred and twenty. The attrition rate as the semester progresses is acute."

Mrs. Stewart laughs and nods. "I am sure the novelty wears off for some."

"Sometimes it is more of a time constraint than loss of appeal. But still, numbers often dwindle toward the end of semester."

"It is a lovely lecture hall. I'm Samantha's mom, this is her brother, Jackson."

Lewis shakes her hand and then my brother's, and I stand stunned at the complete stranger he's become. Talk about turning it on. Urgh.

"Okay, well. That's quite enough embarrassment for one morning. How about we grab some lunch?" I say, guiding my mom and brother from the lecture hall. Serena and her mom trail after us as I hold the door for them all. After they are all outside, I turn back and catch a glimpse of Lewis. The happy facade falls, and his eyes burn into mine.

What the hell?

This man runs hot and cold.

"Samantha?" he utters.

I hold up a hand. This is the only day I have to enjoy my family and I'm not wasting a second of it on Mr. Moody.

"I'll see you tomorrow in class, Mr. Sullivan."

"Please, don't call me that. It's Lewis."

His words are cut off by the closing door. I hurry to catch my family and don't look back.

T he mouth-watering aroma of pepperoni on an extra-thick crust with extra cheese sucks me into a trance. The five of us sit in a middle booth at Third Place Pizzeria. Jackson sits next to me, avoiding eye contact with Serena. It's almost hilarious.

I think he fell in love with her the day she moved onto our street. He was, like, ten? Whenever he wasn't busy with school or sports, he'd be trying to hang around or get our attention. I always thought it was because he loves to be annoying.

Turns out, he's lovesick over my best friend. I worry for him. He isn't going to get out of this crush unscathed. For starters, she is my best friend, she is older than him by five years, and she doesn't date. It's not looking good for him, even with his recent growth spurt.

Serena is busy chatting to Mom about her shifts at the only other takeout joint in town—the rival diner, Mikey's. She works Saturdays to help fund her college career. Although my parents can't afford to pay for college, they do help with my living costs. So I can focus on studying and not add part-time work to an already full-time study load.

The waitress arrives with our entrée and five pizzas, disappearing to return with a tray of drinks.

"God, I am starving," Jackson grumbles.

"Of course you are, giraffe." Serena tosses a fry at him from the entrée we selected, and he ducks. Mrs. Stewart gives her a look, and Serena flattens her grin, mischief still lining her eyes.

I pluck a slice from the pizza pan, the dough hot on my fingers, and I take a large bite. Oh. My. God. This pizza is epic. I moan, savoring the flavor and texture of the gooey cheese, soft, fluffy dough, and earthy sauce. If I died now, I would die happy. I let my eyes drift shut, as if that'll make the moment last longer.

My phone rings, vibrating on the table.

Dad.

I should answer; he'll be so bummed he couldn't come.

I swallow and pick up my phone. Mom points to the door. Her table etiquette doesn't allow for phone calls at the dinner table, and I guess that rule extends to the pizza joint. I slide from the booth and answer the call, heading for the door.

"Sammie?" Serena calls from behind me.

I turn back, still moving toward the door.

"Say hi for me!"

"I will."

The door to the pizzeria sounds, followed by the swoosh of the door behind me. I turn back. My face hits a wall of navy sweater and heady cologne. "Shit."

My hand falls from my ear, Dad's voice sounding through the speaker. Lewis stands, like a wall, in the doorway. He is looking down. Rigidly still.

I track to where his gaze is pinned. My palm is flat against his chest. I gasp and stumble back a step. "I—" Forcing air into my lungs, I hang up the phone. "Sorry, I didn't see you there."

"Walking backwards will do that." His tone is flat, like his expressionless face.

I move, trying to get past on his left. Another customer squeezes through the door, pushing me into the open door.

"Ouch."

The static face of Lewis turns feral, his fists curling. Um, okay?

"I'm fine," I say, annoyance sharpening my words. I move onto the street; the wind blows past me into the pizza place, and Lewis shudders. His behavior, even for a vampire, is kind of getting weird. Shaking my head, I remember why I came out here. I hit Dad's number and relax when he answers.

"Hey, kiddo. What happened? I lost you there for a moment. Service bad at that place?"

"No, it's fine. I accidentally hung up. Sorry, Dad."

The doorbell chimes again. Lewis walks past, pizza boxes in hand. He studies me as he moves past, his expression back to nonexistent.

My patience for his moody bullshit . . .

It just ran out.