Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“Jesus Christ, why are there so many people here today? It’s not even Taco Tuesday.”
I shrug. “Maybe they’re giving away free food.”
“Unlikely.” Jackie scoffs. “This place is too fancy to give out freebies.”
We stand in line with everyone else and wait our turn to select what we want. The cafeteria serves a combination of both hot food and premade items. I grab a yogurt cup, an egg salad sandwich, and water while Jackie goes for a sub sandwich and a slice of pizza.
“Don’t you dare judge me.” She grins when I give her a raised eyebrow.
“What happened to: I’m giving up carbs until the new year?” I speak the words back to her that she said to me just last week after she weighed herself and realized she’d gained five pounds. She begged me to remind her of her diet every time she tried to cheat.
It’s not like I don’t get it. Carbs are my kryptonite. If I could afford to eat the pizza and pasta here every week, I would. How much I weigh doesn’t mean shit. People should love you for who you are, not what the number on the scale says.
“Look, it's that time of the month, and I’m craving something delicious. Bite me,” she hisses, and all I can do is shake my head while smiling. Jackie and I are opposites in many ways, but she's the closest thing to a best friend I have.
We pay for our food, and then all that’s left is to find a place to sit. If it were me, I’d take my food back to the apartment, but Jackie thinks I need to socialize more. I let her pick a seat, which is the worst idea ever since it’s smack dab in the middle of the room. As soon as my ass hits the chair, I start eating. Ugh, it’s been hours since I’ve eaten. I sink my spoon all the way to the bottom of my yogurt and stir it while Jackie leans into my side.
"So remember how I told you that I had something exciting to tell you?”
"Nope. I don't recall you saying anything about exciting news." I shove a spoonful of the parfait past my parted lips.
Letting out a huff, she rolls her eyes. “You’re lucky to have such an amazing friend who gets you invited to all the things.”
"Invited…invited to what?" I question between bites.
The slightest show of interest from me has her eyes glimmering with mischief. "Oh, now you’re interested in hearing what I have to say?”
“Shut up. I was interested before. Tell me more. Not that I’m agreeing to go or anything.”
“Of course not. You’d rather sit in your bedroom all night and read.”
“Hey, leave my book boyfriends out of it!” I tease and give her a fake scowl.
“You could have a real boyfriend if you would go out and be social.”
I stick my tongue out, but she continues like I haven’t interrupted.
“Anyway, I got us an invite to the biggest event that Oakmount holds. It’s an exclusive invite-only thing that takes place tomorrow night!"
Fear creeps up my spine. "Tom-tomorrow night?" Could she be talking about the same thing those girls discussed in the library earlier? The Chase...or something like that? I was trying my best not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but that’s pretty difficult when they’re talking loud enough for everyone to hear.
Most of the things she invites me to are planned out beforehand, so I can move things around to have a legit reason not to go if I need to. Is it mean? Sure. Have I been spending less and less time with her and more time with Mom? Sure. But truthfully, I’d rather hang out with my books than be hit on by another psycho guy.
She bobs her head and purses her pink lips, the gloss sparkling bright in the overhead lights. “Yes!! Go ahead and provide your words of gratitude. I can’t wait to hear how I’m the best and coolest best friend since you know I got us an official invite to The Hunt” She waves her hands like she performed a magic trick.
“I don’t know, Jack. It doesn’t really sound like my type of event, and if you got an invite, how did I get invited? Do you have a plus-one?”
Jackie rolls her eyes. “The guy who invited me asked me to bring a friend, and since you’re the only person I really like…”
“Don’t even guilt trip me,” I warn.
She gives me her best puppy dog eyes. “Come on, Bel. We hardly do anything together. Please come with me?” I’m tempted to say no and leave it at that, but a nagging voice in the back of my mind reminds me of something I heard the two girls talking about. Prize money. Twenty-five thousand dollars.
“If you aren’t tempted to at least go because of me, there is a prize for twenty-five grand. The first person to the cabin gets it.”