Rival Hearts.

emy

ows her as s

a Ca

ught I'd se

those full lips and those sparkling blue eyes that make me forget

-year-old girl I knew. She looks different

er name keeps ec

to drag you out of the presen

. "You good, man? Looks

yes full of unnecessary concern. "Wh

use you're pale as hell

didn't I?" I sna

up. "Okay, okay m

down my face. "

ce I was thirteen just bumped into me? The girl I haven't

g, it's

ame. All I know is we won because Asher ju

y. We've been best mates ever since. We've got each other’s backs, something I

during the game? I swear she was," he

a little preoccupie

s on for a while now—a week, actually, b

. "Okay man, te

steering wheel tigh

e been all distant—even more than usu

leave it alone if I don

ys slowly. "W

't an

I was, but I'm not—so can you

Elena. Elen

en a small smile creeps up. "Ah, E

the he

ve your chance now,"

ce at

in a voice that

coffee cup at h

as we walk up t

mber you, righ

er her asking. I can't ge

t think so,

is keys. "

not sure why you

t you more

can't expect her to remem

u have a pretty

t admit your deep, indulgin

chucks his shoes in the hal

by," I

!" he yells f

d to take when I got to college—I still don't. All I know is I want to

de if it was a good or bad one; all I kno

the seats around me as I work on an essay that needs to be submitted by Thursday. I have

seen your one

eyes as I

hool, man. I'm probably n

e always f

e when did you be

don't care, don't a

professor should be here any minute. I continue typing whe

a Ca

r and baggy skater jeans. Her hair is

ng without giving me a hint of recogn

at's goo

uddenly, her voice sharp but with a shaky edge. I

m n

o yourself,"

head is," I say casually,

like it's the craziest

ave really gotte

her eyes.

ntly, picking at her nails, which are so short I can see the ragged edges and peeling sk

emember how I know you, Jeremy Steves."

hitches.

yer," she says. "And

know how

rprising," s

is that?"

players ha

e ones yo

all smirk appear

n to see a pretty girl twirling her bl

e Jeremy, r

r class today?" She asks. I know her type—they barely know

usy, s

How about

but I'm not rea

dling around her. I hear a snort from Elena. "Not a dick, huh?" She sta