The Space Between by Nikki Mathis Thompson Page B

like she normally would, which was safe and boring.
    “Can we grab some drinks tonight?” she asked, as he was turning away.
    “G, you know I have study group tonight, then I have to finish my paper.”
    “Skip it. Put it off. Come out with me instead.”
    Brady shook his head in disbelief, like it was such an outlandish claim he couldn’t even respond.
    He waved and walked away. Georgia raised her hand in response, then went straight to the trash can, dumping her large cup of sugar masquerading as coffee. She got back in line and rolled the events of the morning over in her mind. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed…Dream Brady had a ruler up his ass.
    Shrugging her shoulders, Georgia quickly shook it off and soaked in the energy around her. She almost felt giddy. College, finally. She’d had dreams about going off to school before, but none so real, none she could experience with every sense on high alert. Not knowing where her class was would not deter her. She wasn’t keen on going to a science lab anyway, however she decided sitting in on a few lectures would be fun.  
    She walked towards the center of campus. The trees curved over the the pathway, forming a green umbrella. Students sat in groups in the grass. Two guys threw frisbee. Couples kissing. The clock in the large tower chimed. Georgia grabbed the straps of her backpack and smiled.  
    She passed the Humanities building and decided that would be a great place to start. She opened the main door. The air was cool and smelled of books and old wood. She followed a stream of students going into a lecture hall. It was medium in size and the seats were in tiered semi-circles. She sat towards the back and waited. Pretending that she belonged. No one really gave her a second glance. Well, no one besides a really hot guy in the row in front of her. She smiled, then put her head down. Thinking that’s what she normally would have done, shy away, she raised her face to find he was still looking over his shoulder. She turned up the smile a few watts and winked.  
    This was going to be fun.

~Chapter Thirteen~

    She would never get to flirt with that guy in the row in front of her because after an hour of philosophy, she was ready to try something else. She snuck out and hit a few more classrooms. One was Ancient Civilizations, and the next was Anthropology. Both were interesting, but Georgia started to get antsy. What if she only had a short time left? Deciding she had enough of academia for the day, she hit the quad once again.
    She attended some lectures and kissed her old boyfriend. What else was part of the college experience?
    Party.
    She decided to head back to her dorm room and get a game plan together.
    “G!…Yo, G-Monaaay!” Georgia turned to find a curvy redhead, breathless, but smiling. A girl whose pale hands were gripping the straps of her bag like it was keeping on her feet. Georgia’d heard someone yelling behind her but wasn’t aware she was the G Money in question until she felt a tug on the strap on her backpack.  
    “Hey girl, what the hell? I had to actually jog to catch up with you. You know how I hate to move faster than an amble. Why aren’t you in class?”  
    “I’m skipping,” Georgia said, not knowing who this girl was who obviously knew her.  
    “What? That’s awesome. If anyone deserves a break it’s you.”  
    Georgia couldn’t help but smile, she liked this person, whoever she was.
    “You heading back to our room?” the girl asked, falling into step with Georgia’s long stride.  
    Ah, roommate.
    “Yes. You?”
    “Yup, I’m going to take a nap.”  
    “A nap? It’s eleven in the morning.”
    “Uh, yeah, but I’ve been up since midnight. You know I had the graveyard shift at the hospital last night.”
    “Oh, right. Sorry. I fell getting out of bed this morning and I’m a bit off.”
    “What?” Her roommate halted and pulled Georgia to a stop as well. “Let me see.” She saw the mark on