Bunked With A Boy

Chapter 1

"Almost done honey?" Mom called from the kitchen.

"Yes. I'm finishing the last box..." I pulled the packing tape across the top of the box sealing it for when I reached my dorm. "Now!"

"That's great! Come down here. I cut up some cantaloupe!"

"Ooh!" I vaulted over the boxes stacked near my door and flew down the stairs and straight into the kitchen - then crashed into my mom knocking her down. "Mom!" I yelled, reaching out my hand to help her up. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

"I'm not going to miss that." she grunted. "But yes dear, I'm okay. Are you excited?"

"Yesh fi ham!" I replied, my mouth full of cantaloupe.

"What?" she asked, clearly amused at my childish behavior.

I cleared my throat. "I said, 'Yes I am'" I clarified. I cocked my head, thinking. "I am a little worried though. When I called to find out who my roommate was, they said they hadn't found one yet. They seem very organized." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Am I that incompatible?"

"No, I'm sure it's not you dear."

"Mom! It's a college! A college! It has to be me. I move in tomorrow! If it's not me, do I even have a room?" I sat down on the chair by the kitchen table. College seemed great already. Mom came and stood beside me, rubbing my back.

"It'll be fine. I promise."

She handed me some more cantaloupe. I shook my head. "And what if it's not?" I whispered.

"Alright. I think someone needs some time to think. Why don't you go and review your packing list."

"Okay." I slowly walked back up the stairs allowing myself to be engulfed by my worries once more.

All day I'd been fighting with myself to stay positive, but now that I'd told Mom a little bit about my worries, it was like putting a crack in a dam. And now that crack caused the dam to break. I kicked my boxes out of the way and flopped down on the bed. A long, exasperated groan escaped me. Not a second later, I heard knocking at the door.

"It's open," I mumbled into my old bed sheets. They weren't as soft as the new ones, but those were already packed away.

"Mackenzie? Are you okay?" My little sister, Maddie, asked.

"Oh yes. Everything is just peaches 'n cream love," I replied, sarcasm dripping from the sentence.

"Mac," she warned. I had four years on her, but she always got my attitude back on track.

"Sorry." I replied sitting up. I scooted over, allowing her to sit on my bed across from me.

"Are you okay?" she asked again.

"No. I'm really worried." I admitted, pushing my hands through my long blonde hair.

"Why?" she asked, looking at me. I returned her stare with a suspicious one.

"Why do you care?"

She shrugged. We lapsed into silence. "Well?" she prompted. It'll make you feel better."

"Fine. Okay, let's see... I'm going to college!" I crossed my arms.

"And..." Maddie waved me on.

"And its frickin' college!" I yelled.

"You're hopeless. Behave like this and college will eat you up and spit you out." She got up and walked out of the room.

"Thanks for the help you little shit," I mumbled. I rolled off the bed and walked over to my now empty desk. I folded my arms over my chest and stared at it. After a few minutes, I gave up knowing no amount of staring at an plain white desk would solve my worries.

I groaned again and threw myself on the bed, this time, facing the ceiling.

I interlaced my fingers behind my head and watched the ceiling fan's blades move.

"Hey apple pie," Dad voice said from the door.

I smiled at the nickname. I'd earned it when I was five at the market when I'd pointed out that "Mac apples shared their name with me."

Dad had laughed and said, "Yep! You're my little apple! No wait, you're too sweet to be an apple, you'll be my apple pie!"

I'd giggled and smiled, happy to have been given a nickname.

Now, I looked at him and smirked. "What's up apple fart? I mean apple tart..." I nodded and feigned seriousness.

"That's it!" he snarled jokingly, lunging for my body pillow and hitting me with it.

"Daddy!" I laughed. "Daddy stop!" I climbed around him and onto his back making him collapse onto the bed.

"Oh apple pie. I think you're getting to old for this." he said, his face squished against the bed.

I crawled off his back. "You think?" I raised my eyebrows, amused. "I am eighteen."

"And going to one of the most esteemed colleges in the eastern United States." he smiled. . "I couldn't be more proud of my little girl." He wrapped his strong arms around me and I felt myself telling him all my worries.

I told him I was scared they would bunk me with some horrible roommate. I told him that I was worried I wouldn't make any friends. I told him I feared having no money.

"And Daddy," I said, tears finally leaking out of my eyes, "What if I'm not smart enough? What if I don't do well enough to get a good job to provide for myself?"

"Oh Mac," he said, "you'll be fine. You are an amazing, smart, beautiful, girl. And your mother and I, we know you'll do amazing things." He pulled away and looked into my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too Dad."

"Its 10:00. Why don't you get some sleep. You've got a big day tomorrow."

"Okay." I whispered, thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

"Goodnight apple pie."

"Goodnight Dad."

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Hi reader! This is my first book and so this is my first author's note! Right now, I'll just tell you about what I will be including in each of the future author's notes and if you have anything you want me to include that I haven't though of, please drop me a comment!

First: I'll ask about any of the particular scenes you liked in the chapter.

Second: I'll give you a teaser as to what is coming in the following chapters.

Third: I'll probably thank you for reading and ask you to vote and tell your friends.

So yeah! Stay tuned for the first real author's note that I'll probably post tomorrow! :)

XOXO Katelyn 😘