You’re Mine by Penny Brooks novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Harper

"Did you bring anything good for lunch?" Sadie asks as she meets me at my locker.

I shake my head.

"I watched Mom throw it together this morning before work"

I hold up the bag, so she can see it.

"Turkey sandwich.

Chips.

An orange.” I laugh.

"I know you're dying to get your hands on an orange.

Wanna trade?" “Um, hello, we know my mom is the worst cook ever, I've got nothing you'd want in my lunch bag.

It's going straight in the trash and I'm buying some pizza.

Want a slice?" "No.

I'm good"

The truth is, even if I had a good lunch, I wouldn't eat it.

My stomach is such a mess.

And it has been all week.

I've been waiting to hear back from the colleges I applied to and I haven't gotten a response.

It seems like the entire senior class has heard something—whether it's an approval or denial from at least one school.

Even Ryan and Sadie have.

But all I've heard is silence.

And it's terrifying.

I need to know, I need to plan.

I need to prepare for what's about to happen with my life.

But most of all, I need to prepare for what's going to happen between Easton and me.

I cant do that unless I have an idea of where I'm going to go and where he's going to go.

Knowing my best friend is waiting for a response, I say, "Honestly, Sadie, I'm not even hungry"

She gives me a look.

"Everything all right?" "Yep,’ I lie.

"You're sure?" I even nod this time and say, "I'm positive"

"Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

I've got some extra cash on me to get whatever kind of slice you want"

She loops her arm through mine and when we arrive at the cafeteria, Easton and Ryan are already sitting at our table.

Sadie and I part, her going up to the lunch line, me tossing my lunch bag into the trash before I join the guys.

I see Ryan has also ditched the lunch Mom made and is eating chicken nuggets and tater tots instead, money he probably scored by selling weed.

Easton is devouring a slice of pepperoni and sipping on a soda.

I take a seat next to my boyfriend.

“Hey,” I say softly.

He reaches forward to tuck some of my hair behind my ear.

"What took you guys so long to join us?" I shrug.

“Sadie and I were talking, that's all.” I look at the empty spot in front of me where my lunch should be sitting, the weight of the day hitting me.

"Has school been a snore fest today or is it just me?" "Isn't it always a snore fest?" Ryan asks.

“Agreed,” Easton says.

"I guess you're right," I admit.

“It just seems extra slow and draggy today"

“That's because we're seconds away from graduating,” Blake says.

I didn't realize he joined us, but he's standing behind Easton and me, Sadie now taking a seat next to Ryan.

"And guess where this genius got into college?" He's smiling so hard, I think his lips are going to crack.

"Come on, any guesses?" he asks around the table.