Series After

Chapter 1 My alarm is set to go off any minute. I’ve been awake for half the night, shifting back and forth, counting the lines between the ceiling tiles and repeating the course schedule in my head. Others may count…

Chapter 2 – After I wish I could say that the familiar scenery of my home state calmed me as we drove, or that a sense of adventure took hold of me with each sign that indicated we were getting…

An hour later, after listening to my mother warn me against the dangers of parties and college men—and using some language that’s rather uncomfortable for Noah and me to hear from her—she finally makes her move to leave. In her…

Chapter 4 – After Um . . . Where is Steph?” I try to sound authoritative, but my voice comes out as more of a squeak. My hands are clenched around the soft fabric of my towel and my eyes…

Chapter 5 – After I’m thankful when Hardin finally leaves so Steph and I can discuss the party. I need more details to ease my nerves, and having him around is no help at all. “Where is the party? Is…

Chapter 6 – After Later, when my hair is perfectly curled and lying down my back, I push two bobby pins in, one on each side to keep it out of my face. “Do you want to use some of…

Chapter 7 – After Hardin has already disappeared into the house, which is great because maybe I won’t see him again for the rest of the night. Considering the number of people crammed into this place, I probably won’t. I…

Chapter 8 – After The girl turns around and looks at me as I try to move my feet, but they just won’t budge. “Can I help you?” she snarks. Hardin sits up with her still on his torso. His…

Chapter 9 – After Finally, after pointing around and yelling “Steph!” like ten times at Nate, the music drops into a quieter song and he nods and starts to laugh. His hand moves up into the air and he points…

Chapter 10 – After I can’t help the tears that fall down my cheeks as I reach the top of the stairs. I hate college so far—and my classes haven’t even started. Why couldn’t I just get a roommate who…

Chapter 11 – After As I look into those amazing green eyes, I suddenly realize that I hadn’t previously noticed their color before. And then I realize that it’s because Hardin hasn’t really made eye contact with me until just…

Chapter 12 – After When I wake, it takes my mind a moment to remember the events of last night that led me to this strange bedroom. Steph is still asleep, snoring unattractively with her mouth wide open. I decide…

Chapter 13 – After The rest of the weekend goes quickly and I manage to avoid seeing Hardin. When I head out early Sunday to go shopping, I leave before he can come to the room, and I return after…

Chapter 14 After several exhausting—but exciting—days, it’s finally Friday, and my first week of college is almost over. Feeling pleased with the way the week has gone overall, I plan on just watching some movies, since Steph will most likely…

I change out of my pajamas and put on a new pair of jeans that I haven’t worn yet. They are a little tighter than my usual pants, but I’m in desperate need of a trip to the laundry room,…

Dare,” Hardin answers before I even ask him. His green eyes bore through me with an intensity that says I’m the one on the spot, that I’m the one dared to do something. And I falter, not having really thought…

Hardin glares at me. It’s aggressive. But unsure. “Why are you asking me this?” “I don’t know . . . because I have been nothing but nice to you, and you’ve been nothing but rude to me.” And then I…

We find the room. Unfortunately one of the beds is occupied by a snoring, passed-out guy. “At least that bed is empty!” Zed says and laughs. “I’m going to walk back to my place, if you want to come. I…

I have no idea what I’m doing, but I can’t stop. As my lips touch Hardin’s I feel his sharp intake of breath. Hardin’s mouth tastes just like I had imagined. I can taste the faint hint of mint on…

A block away from the frat house, the streets are dark and quiet. The other frat houses aren’t as big as Hardin’s. After an hour and a half of walking and GPS- obsessing, I finally reach the campus. Fully sober…