Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“If you tell me what kind of foods you like, I can make those for you.”
“You don’t have to cook for me,” I tell her.
“I know, but I want to. I like cooking, and I know Jude eats a ton of junk food, which isn’t good when you guys are in season. Northport has a good chance of winning it all this year. Think of how much faster you’ll be on the ice with a balanced diet.”
“You have a point, but I would feel awkward.”
Thea smiles, and every part of me alights with excitement. “It’s something I want to do. It’s no problem if you don’t have a list. Just know there will always be a plate waiting for you when you come home.” She stands and takes her glass of water with her. “Goodnight, Kyler. It was nice meeting you.”
She gives me a small wave and then disappears. I listen to her footsteps until she’s reached the top floor. Once her door closes, I inhale deeply, absorbing every bit of her she’s left behind.
“I’m so fucked.”
three
Thea
I walk down the stairs with a feeling of nervousness and excitement. Today is my first official day at NU. Even though I moved five days ago and have visited campus to pick up my schedule, I’ve not met any of my new classmates yet. I’m excited to start my studies, learn about something I’m passionate about, and put it all to good use in tried and tested recipes for my roommates. But I’m also nervous, as I’m very much aware I’m essentially starting again and joining a class with other new students. Of course, there is the fear I won’t fit in, but I’m hoping we’ll all develop some sort of camaraderie between us.
I can already hear the enthusiastic chatter from the kitchen as I get to the main level. If there’s one thing I’ve learned quickly, it’s the fact my roommates have enough personality to fill a stadium. Well, three of them do. The fourth, I’m still trying to figure out. Nolan is the joker of the group, always coming up with the one-liners and has the ability to instantly put anyone at ease. Devon is his right-hand man, counterbalancing Nolan’s outrageousness with a sense of calm; and then, of course, there’s Jude. Everyone’s friend, confidante, and all-round good guy. I may be biased—he’s my brother after all—but I honestly couldn’t name someone as genuine and loving as Jude. One day, he’ll make a damn good partner and father.
And then we have Kyler: quietly spoken and noticeably absent. I wish I knew more about my fourth roommate, but despite our early morning conversation on my first night here, I’ve not crossed paths with him since. If I was the paranoid type, I’d think he was avoiding me. Always coming home after everyone’s gone to sleep, and leaving before dawn, it’s almost as if he has some kind of secret life when he’s not in school or playing hockey. Or the boys weren’t exaggerating when they said he keeps to himself. He really isn’t the sociable type. Not for the first time, I wonder how a guy like him is friends with the other three—they’re polar opposites in terms of personality. Maybe it’s why their relationship works so well.
As I walk into the kitchen, I’m greeted by the boisterous sound of “Thea!” simultaneously shouted by Nolan, Devon, and Jude. Yet again, Kyler is not with them, and yet again, I am slightly disappointed. It would have been nice to have a house breakfast on our first day, so we can talk about what to expect, plus I need all the good luck vibes I can get. As if sensing my disappointment, Devon explains his absence.
“Don’t take it personally, Thea. Kyler’s never here for any meals. If he wasn’t on the team, I’d forget what he looks like.”
I smile at his reassurance as I reply, “Honestly, if I did not bump into him on my first night, I’d have assumed he was some kind of imaginary friend to the three of you and he doesn’t actually exist.”
“No such luck,” Nolan chips in. “He definitely exists, especially on the ice. If it wasn’t for him, we’d probably be annihilated on a regular basis.”
“Good to know, maybe I should check in with him there to find out if he’ll be joining in any of our household dinners in the future.”
I grab a bowl and some fruit and begin chopping it up before adding it to my granola and yogurt. It might not be the breakfast of champions needed to calm first day nerves, but it works for me.
“You all set for your first day?” Jude asks as he walks behind me and gives me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulders.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell him.