Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 124135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 621(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 621(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Professor Lewis turned back to the projector screen and finished talking through the rest of the course requirements. When the talk was done, he said, “Class dismissed. I suggest you find out who your composition partner is and go for a coffee or something. Use your time wisely. Get to know your partner well.” He smirked. “You’ll be spending a lot of time with them this year.”
Students piled to the front to check the paper the TA had pinned on the wall. Others introduced themselves to Lewis. Bryce checked his name then walked across to Tommy Wilder. I frowned. Bryce and I normally worked together. He came over and shook his head. “Dream team’s getting split up this time, Bonn.”
My heart sank a little. I saw in Bryce’s expression that he was disappointed too. I was comfortable with Bryce. He wasn’t the most talented. But he was sweet. I knew he liked me as more than a friend, and I would never go there with him. But he was comfortable for me to be around. He didn’t ask too many personal questions.
I waited for the crowd to clear. A few people looked at me before they walked away. I wondered why. But when I read the list, I had my answer.
I exhaled a long, slow breath. I stared disbelievingly at Cromwell Dean’s name next to mine.
When I turned around, only Professor Lewis remained in the room. “Bonnie Farraday, I presume?” He was holding his register with my student picture next to my name.
“Yes, sir.” I bit my lip. “I know you said there would be no switching of partners for the project—”
“I did. And I meant it.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay.” I turned to leave.
“You’re the top of the class, Bonnie,” Lewis said. “Cromwell is brand new to the college.” He sat down on the edge of the table beside me. This close, I could see a smattering of gray in his dark hair. I guessed he was in his forties. “He was top of his classes in the UK. He is bright and extremely talented. But being a new student in a new college can be daunting for anyone. No matter how unaffected they appear.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I was told by the faculty that you were a good choice to team him up with.”
“Yes, sir,” I replied again. For once I hated that the faculty regarded me as someone reliable and conscientious.
Just as I was about to leave, I said, “Welcome back to Jefferson, Professor. You’ve been a real inspiration to many of us here.”
He smiled then turned back to his work.
I left, checking the hallway for any sign of Cromwell. I sighed when there was none. He had fled the room without even checking the board. I bet he didn’t know I was his partner.
Drained of all energy, I leaned back against the wall. I had two free periods, and I was making it my mission to find him.
I was determined. I wouldn’t let his bad attitude be my demise. If I had to work with him, I would. But nothing about this partnership made me think it would go well.
Absolutely nothing.
Chapter Six
Cromwell
I moved to my desk and logged on to my laptop. Easton was at class, so I dropped my arse onto my chair and flicked on all my mixing boards. I threw my headphones on and fired up the mix I’d started a few days ago.
I closed my eyes and let the beats sink into my body. Bursts of pinks and greens flashed before my eyes. I moved my hand to the mixing table without even looking and turned up the pace. My heartbeat chased the bass as the rhythm sped up. Triangles and squares danced in jagged patterns. Then—
My headphones were taken from my head. I spun around, jumping from my seat. Bonnie Farraday stood behind me, my headphones in her hands. Ice-cold fury had immediately run through me, but it dropped when I saw it was her. That surprised me. My anger was pretty much what I was fueled by these days. I couldn’t understand why it calmed.
I didn’t like feeling confused.
I held out my hand. “Give them back.”
Bonnie slowly pulled the headphones to her chest. I closed my eyes to keep calm. When I opened them again, Bonnie had her arms folded across her chest. She was wearing skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. She had a sweater over her shoulders like one of the posh kids I’d see strutting through the streets of Chelsea in summer. Her brown hair was back in a long plait. And when I looked at her face, she looked anxious.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. I reached behind me to turn off the mix that was now blasting through the speakers. It wasn’t finished. No one heard anything I was working on until it was done. I had a new set to put on the streaming sites. Little Bonnie Farraday was messing up my schedule.