Page 34 of Set It Right
I leaned against the doorframe as he started to unpack. “You said you have brothers?”
“Two. Randall and Owen. We’re pretty tight.”
“Cool. I have a brother and two sisters. We’re thick as thieves.”
He raised a brow. “Sisters? Will they be coming around?”
Warning bells sounded in the back of my mind. That he’d picked up on the mention of my sisters but had ignored the fact that I had a brother rankled me. But I pushed it away. Last thing I needed was to look for trouble where there wasn’t any.
“They’re past college age, and both live back in Wyoming.”
He whistled. “Wyoming? I’ve never met anyone from Wyoming. How’d you end up in California?”
“My parents went here. I kind of always knew I wanted to come to Savage U.” My phone vibrated in my pocket, alerting me to a text. “One second.”
Zara:Hey, Maccie. Guess where I am?
Me:Hmmm…Mars?
Zara:Close. I’m currently sitting on my bed in my very first dorm room.
Me:You’re here! Never thought it’d happen. Welcome to college, Z.
Zara:I didn’t know if it would happen. But I’m here. I’m really here! Only a few tears were shed when my parents left.
Me:That’s surprising.
Zara:They were holding back for my sake. I’m one-hundred-percent sure they had a mental breakdown after they drove away.
Me:Because you did too?
Zara:Oh yes. Definitely. I’m fully recovered now, though.
“Girlfriend?”
I lifted my head, the smile I didn’t realize I was wearing slowly slipping off my face. “No. My childhood friend just moved into her dorm. She’s a freshman this year.”
“Cool. Sorry for assuming. You were just smiling at your phone like it was more than that.”
“Zara’s just a friend.” But I hoped…one day…
“Zara,” he repeated. “I like that name.”
Distant alarm bells rang again, but I tuned them out. Jackson was being friendly. Curious. It wasn’t his fault I was protective of Zara. He’d understand what we were to each other soon.
Me:Hey, do you want to meet up for dinner? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your face.
Zara:Let’s wait a little while, okay? I want to get to know the girls in my dorm and find my way before I start leaning on you too hard.
Me:You could never lean on me too hard.
Zara:I could and have, and you’ve let me because you’re such a good friend, Maccie. We’ll hang out soon. Just give me a little time to settle in, all right?
Nothing in me wanted to agree with her. I wanted to tell her she could make friends at the same time we stayed close. But I knew her. When her mind was made up, she wouldn’t change it, and pushing would only make her dig her heels in.
Me:All right, Z. Text me whenever. Glad you’re here.
Zara:I’ll text you soon. Promise.
