Vienna

chapter thirteen

The school week went by surprisingly fast. My teachers didn't assign much work, and Nathan seemed to have finally moved on from his need to annoy the hell out of me.

I picked up a few shifts at the rescue, and despite my wishes to the gods, Cookie still wasn't adopted. One of these days someone will save me from his wrath.

Today was Friday and I was currently in the car with Hannah and Daisy, driving up to Endermont University to visit Aiden and Ethan.

To say I was excited to see my brother was an understatement. I hadn't seen him since Christmas, and he's been so busy with football and his new friends that he hasn't had time to come home to visit.

I texted him earlier in the week when the girls and I made concrete plans to go, and he said he'd let us stay in the empty bedrooms in the house he shares with some of his teammates. 

However, for some reason I have a feeling Daisy will be sleeping elsewhere. I bite my lip to hold in the laugh threatening to escape due to my thoughts, attracting the attention of Hannah.

"What are you laughing at?" Hannah questions with a smile.

"Nothing," I say innocently, my own smile widening.

"Are you excited to see Ethan?" Daisy asks, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"So freaking excited," I bounce in my seat in excitement. "He even said this was the perfect time to come because the team doesn't have practice this weekend!"

"I was thinking we could take a tour of campus tomorrow during the day. I mean, we all applied so it could be a good chance for us to see how much we like it," Hannah states.

I hummed in agreement. I did apply to Endermont, but it was more just because all my friends were applying and my brother goes there. I'm not so sure I'd want to attend the school, it is just way too close to home. 

As much as I'd hate to leave all my friends and be even further from my brother, I think the best thing for me would be a fresh start somewhere across the country. I applied to a few schools on the east coast along with all the California schools my friends and I agreed to apply to together.

But decisions don't come out for a few more months, so I don't need to think about it for the time being.

"Sounds good." Daisy chirps. "However, I'm more excited for the parties! I've never been to a college party before!" She claps excitedly, making my stomach twirl in anxiety as her hands leave the steering wheel.

Hannah squeals in excitement and I flash her a wide smile when she turns in her seat to look at me.

I'm sure the three of us will be sick of partying after this weekend. Ethan told me that the football house usually hosts parties all weekend long, so I'm sure we will be exhausted by the time the weekend is over.

The campus is only about an hour and a half away by car, so we get there pretty quickly. Or maybe it just felt quick because we were singing along to my playlist which I blasted the moment we got into Daisy's car. 

By the time we pull up to Ethan's house, it's about dinnertime and we are starving. The moment the car came to a stop, I flew up out of my seat and ran to the front door without even grabbing my bag.

I had texted Ethan we were close about ten minutes ago, so he was quick to open the door and envelop me in a hug. I squealed in excitement when his arms wrapped around me and squeezed him until he groaned, muttering something about how strong I am. Yeah, that's right. I'm all muscle. Don't you forget it.

"V!!!" Ethan says excitedly as he pulls away from the hug. I notice his light hair has grown out a bit and he's finally shaven the stubble he used to wear proudly.