Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

since she’d be stayingat her parents tonight. Then that morning when they’d already slept in, theywere at it again. Now Vannah was running late and still needed to pack a bagsince she’d be headed straight home after classes that afternoon.

“Well, nice of you to drop in,” Xochitl said as she pouredherself what looked like a smoothie from the blender in the kitchen.

“I’m going straight home today after lab and won’t see Byronuntil tomorrow, so he talked me into staying an extra night at his place.”Vannah explained. “Otherwise, I would’ve been home last night.”

“I’m sure he had to twist your arm.”

Vannah smirked at her friend who eyed her knowingly as she rushedpast her into her bedroom.

Throwing things in a bag quickly, Vannah scurried about in herroom. If it weren’t for her final in her economics class that day and then the papershe had to turn in by the end of the day, she might’ve just played hookyaltogether. But staying an extra night at Byron’s, even if she felt completelyspent now, was totally worth it.

“With the semester almost over, and you practically living atByron’s now you really think you’ll need to dorm it next semester?”

Vannah turned to Xochitl who leaned against her doorway suckingher smoothie through a straw. Feeling slightly guilty, because ever sincedeclaring their love for each other and making things absolutely official overtwo weeks ago, she’d spent all but one or two nights a week at his place. “Don’tbe ridiculous. I’m not moving in with him, Soch. If that’s what you’re asking.”

“Why not?” her roomie asked very seriously. “You’ve been herewhat? Two days this week? And I’m happy for you Vannah, I really am. I’ve neverseen anyone so blissfully content. Financially, it’d only make sense if you didmove in with him, and I know how much you hate your parents spending so muchmoney if they don’t have to. I’m only asking because if you do, I’ll need tofind another roommate.”

“Well, I’m not,” Vannah said feeling her insides go a littlecrazy because Byron had dropped a few hints already. “Way too soon for that andI’m sure my parents would sooner prefer to keep paying for this than have memove in with a guy I’ve only known a few months. So, don’t worry it’d be out ofthe question even if I wanted to.”

Technically, Vannah knew she was an adult, and while her parentscould express their concern all they wanted, she knew they’d never impede onher happiness if it’s what she really wanted.

While the thought was a pleasant one, and now that Byron hadcompletely opened up about his feelings for her, it was less terrifying to gettoo ahead of herself, it was still a scary thought. Even the most perfect ofunions weren’t guaranteed to last. It’d be hard enough to deal with ifsomething went wrong and they broke things off as it was. But if she moved inwith him and things went south, she’d be having to make an entire life change.Despite everything, it was still too soon to take that kind of risk.

There was no time to discuss things any further. Vannah rushedout agreeing to meet Xochitl after her last class for coffee before turning inher paper at the lab, so she could leave and go straight home after. Shewouldn’t even get a chance to see Byron one last time before she left, becausehe’d be busy filming for the reality show all day.

Groaning when she picked up her phone as she drove into theschool’s parking lot, she saw she had less than thirty percent left of batterylife. In her haste to rush out of Byron’s today she forgot her spare chargerthere. The one she usually kept in her car to charge it when she was on theroad. Grabbing her things, she darted off to her first class.

By the end of the day, she was down to less than five percent batterylife on her phone. She’d even turned the damn thing off for a better part ofthe day to preserve as much battery life as possible. After sending Xochitl atext to let her know she was at the on-campus coffee shop waiting for her, thensending Byron a text to tell him she loved him, she turned it back off again.

“Oh, my God I’m starving,” Xochitl said as she took the seatacross the booth from Vannah. “They have sandwiches and pastries here.”

“I’m feeling more like a big fat burger or a nice deep-dishpizza.”

“Well, if you wanna walk clear across campus to the food court, you’reon your own. I don’t have time.” Vannah sipped her coffee. “I still have thispaper I have to turn in at the lab.”

“My life,” Xochitl said staring at something behind Vannah. “Itnever fails when I’m craving something. What are the odds the GrubHub girlwould be delivering both burgers and a pizza right here, right now?”

Already smiling at her friend’s irritation, Vannah turned to seewhat she was talking about. Almost at the same moment, both her and Irma did adouble take when they recognized each other. If it weren’t for the distinctpale red hair Vannah might not have, but there was no missing it and clearlythe girl recognized her.

“You know her?” Xochitl asked as soon as Vannah turned back toher coffee.

“Not really, but I know of her.”

“She keeps looking over here,” Xochitl said glancing behindVannah casually, before sipping her coffee. “Who is she?”

“A not so pleasant blast from the past. Remember the girl I toldyou showed up at Byron’s way back.” Xochitl’s brows furrowed in question. “Thenight we had dinner with my parents?”

Xochitl’s eyes went wide as her eyes glanced behind Vannah again.“Well, shit I think she’s coming over here.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope. Here she comes.” Xochitl took another sip of her coffee. “Don’tworry, girl. I got your back.”

If Vannah’s head wasn’t racing, trying to make sense of why thisgirl would want to approach her, Vannah might’ve laughed at that.

“Hey,” Vannah’s heart spiked at the sight of the girl at theirbooth. “You might not remember me—”

“I do,” Vannah said lifting her chin sitting up a littlestraighter.

“I, uh . . .” Irma cleared