Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
I sit up and lean against the ledge of the building, grabbing the folder once again. I locate her social media handle before opening Instagram and typing it into my search bar. My eyebrows raise in surprise when her profile loads onto my screen, showcasing her 990,000 followers. I click on a random photo of her wearing workout gear while holding a container of some kind of supplement she’s promoting, taking note of the positive comments on her profile. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that a woman as well-liked as she is would want to hurt people.
As I scroll through multiple photos and comments, more questions form in my mind. I just can’t imagine someone as visible as her being responsible for something as vile as a university bombing. A gorgeous woman with that many followers isn’t capable of something like this. A grin roots itself onto my lips.
Make that 990,001 followers because she’s just gained another one with me.
2
MORGAN
“Hey, Morgan!”
“Morgan, hi!”
“Hey, that was such a cute pic you posted earlier, Morgan!”
With a small smile, I slip my headphones back on, turning on the noise-canceling function and starting my lo-fi instrumental playlist. As my online popularity grows, it’s becoming harder and harder to walk around campus without being stopped or spoken to about one thing or another. I sigh as I walk along the sidewalk. I don’t want to be on campus, but I’m not in a rush to go home to my father either.
The calming beats of the music fill my ears as I mindlessly walk straight ahead. Everything around me passes by in a blur as faceless people speak words to me that I can no longer hear. My phone buzzes in my purse, my music ceasing as Siri’s voice fills my ears instead.
“Father,” it states as the buzzing continues. I rummage through my bag to find my phone, only to crash into a hard body that sends the contents of my purse spilling out onto the sidewalk.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry,” I quickly sputter as I drop to the ground to retrieve my things.
“No, that’s on me. I wasn’t paying attention.”
The deep voice gives me pause, causing me to look up into the handsome face of a man I’ve never seen before. Since he’s on campus, it’s not hard to assume he’s a student, but I can’t ever remember seeing him anywhere. The sun in my eyes temporarily blocks most of his face until he leans forward, eclipsing me in his shadow when he bends down. Brown eyes look back at me as a small smirk settles on his lips before he drops his eyes to help me gather my things. I clear my throat and stuff everything back into my bag before standing.
“Thanks.” I slip my headphones off my head and fold them in my hands. “And sorry about that.”
I take a moment to observe him. He stares at me with inquisitive eyes, a question in his eyes that he seems to hold back. His dark chestnut hair flutters in the wind, falling into his eyes a little, which adds to his boyish charm. His black T-shirt fits his muscular form, same as the denim jeans and Converse sneakers he wears. His sharp jawline flexes as he chews the gum in his mouth, his lips curving into a smile when my gawking becomes more obvious. I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and force myself to pull my eyes away from him.
“It’s no big deal. It’s totally my fault. I wasn’t really paying much attention to my surroundings.” He slips his hands into his pockets as he rocks back and forth on his heels. “I do feel bad about knocking your stuff over.” He looks around for a moment before his intense gaze settles on me again. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee to make up for it?”
I nibble on my bottom lip as I ponder his question. I’ve never seen this guy on campus a day in my life. He has an air about him that makes it seem as if he’s older and wiser beyond his years, but he looks like he’d blend in with the other frat idiots on campus. While having coffee with some random stranger isn’t on my list of things to do, he’s cute and seems like he’ll be good company. Besides, it gives me something to do other than going home right now.
“Um, sure,” I finally say when I realize he’s still looking at me expectantly.
“Great,” he says and spins on his heels to head in the opposite direction.
I raise an eyebrow as I watch him for a split second. “Campus coffee shop is this way,” I call out, thumbing over my shoulder. He stops, turns, and chuckles softly as he moves toward me.