Leave Not (2) A College Romance

25. Born With Money

"You think he has a motive," Blaze says, followed by a curse and a loud bang on the other line.

"He's up to something." I glance around my furnished living space. "I just don't know what it is."

Fourth floor. One master bedroom, master bath, den, powder room, living room, and dining room. A kitchen and a spacious deck. The apartment is one thousand two hundred and thirty-six square feet. Total cost per month? Nine thousand and five hundred dollars.

This place was fucking dope and I hated admitting it.

What Vaughn did may have been for me to take care of me but I can't be bought with money. His words from earlier hit me like a ton of bricks. I was fortunate to be born into money. Most kids who had parents with money would take advantage of it.

I wasn't one of them.

I wanted to find my own way. That was one of the many reasons I left Oklahoma. I wanted to be independent. Find a stable routine that I could build from.

Not only did I want to do it for myself but also for Red. I was planning a future with her, and I wanted to do certain things that didn't require any help from Vaughn, Vince, or my mother.

Falling to a stop in the center of the living room, the lights of the buildings around me sparked in the night. I have to admit that this was a cool apartment.

Exhaling, my hold on my phone becomes tight. "What the hell am I supposed to do? I can't move back to where I once was. They already replaced me with a transfer student."

"It's so weird how college works," Blaze murmurs. "Aren't there rules since you are a freshman?"

I will respond when he continues. "Wait, no! Don't answer that. Considering who Vaughn is, I'm pretty sure he's persuasive."

"Exactly."

"Go with the flow."

"Why would I do that?" I despised the man.

"This may be your only way of figuring out his goal. You say you don't believe him to be genuine; go with the flow and find out."

Running a hand down my face, I think. Maybe he was right.

"I guess there's no harm."

"Good, now, back to the positive things in life. How is my future best friend/sister-in-law doing with her academics? I know she's killing it."

"She's doing amazing. A fucking rockstar." I beamed at the thought of her acing her last quiz that she sent to me.

"That's what I like to hear," he's saying in midsentence when a muffled voice sounds in the background. Listening closely, I was sure it was someone unfamiliar and a woman. "Just give me a sec, Em."

Em?

"Making new friends in Seattle, huh?"

"You could say that," he mused. "It's actually pretty good down here. You should come visit. It would be nice to have family over."

Family.

Blaze and I knew each other since kindergarten and got closer throughout our years in elementary and junior high. Just like many childhoods, Blaze wasn't blessed to have a whole family. I remember the day we found ourselves in my father's—Vaughn's— office, and broke into his liquor. We talked for what felt like hours about his dad leaving one day and never returning and the struggle that he and his mother went through.

"Maybe sometime over winter break after your tradition."

"Yeah," he agrees, his voice somewhat growing distant. "I gotta call moms. I've been avoiding her."

"She still doesn't know why you quit football."

"No, and I would like to keep it that way."

Truth be told, I still don't know why he didn't continue football other than him telling me that it was a medical issue, but now I'm not sure.

"You know, I still don't know anything other than what you told me."

"It's nothing for anyone to worry about. Football just wasn't in the plan for me and I've accepted it." he sighs. "We'll talk later. Be safe, bro." And with that, he ended the call,l leaving me perplexed and assuming that what I thought was correct.

It was something more and for now, I was going to respect my best friend's space.

I pull the device from my ear, looking at the screen strangely, before exiting out of my contacts. In that moment, a message popped up.

(213)-689-0245: You're Invited!

I frowned as I stared at the strange number. I would of thought of it as a random number that always pinged your phone about stupid deals but then I saw the area code. Curiosity got the better of me and I pressed the link.

Sending me to my web browser, the invitation showcased UCLA's colors. I noticed darker colors around the rim of the digital invite card. Bats, pumpkins, ghosts, and colossal confetti were displayed.

Halloween was coming up and from what it detailed, there was a party occur off campus. Hosted by an anonymous person.

Ping.

Kelvin just texted.

Kel: We going?

Me: Not sure.

I know it's not until a couple weeks from now but I just didn't want to go out partying with everything that's going on in my life.

Kel: I'll take that as a maybe instead. It will be cool. UCLA parties always are. The Halloween parties are lit as fuck. You have to go. Get the experience.

Me: I'll be busy.

A lie. I actually don't know what I'll be doing.

Kel: Just think about it. You have time before you just disregard it.

Me: Fine. I'll think about it.

I most likely won't go but I sent the message anyway.

Tossing my phone on the nearby couch, I walked towards the island, opened up my laptop and finished up last night's homework.

—

Thoughts/ Predictions?

Things are about to start getting real in the next several chapters. Drama is on the surface and you will be shocked by what I have planned.

College isn't easy and when you are involved in a lot of activities and face family drama, the pressure is immense. Gen and Mercer are about to feel that.

I'm trying to update near the end of the week. My schedule is still funky. I have not forgotten about my feedback reading lists. I have been reading them. I've commented, voted, and placed them on my 'best books' reading list.