One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin Read Free Book Online Page A

to campus to finish a lab I didn’t complete in my Community Ecology of the Forested Landscape class. I ran out of time.”
    Brian leans forward, faking interest. “You liking Winston?”
    â€œNope.” It is my hell.
    â€œIt’ll get better,” he says.
    â€œSure,” I lie, humoring him. “You’re right. I bet it will.”
    I leave, dragging my feet. The fall air tastes cold and fresh, the only perk of rising so early. As I open the door to my Maxima, I see Loch making his way across the lawn, book bag on, wearing a blue sweatshirt and mud-stained jeans.
    â€œNow there’s a sight that needs to be documented,” Loch says, holding up a flip camera, filming me as he walks. I picture the bags under my eyes, my messy hair, my tired look.
    I block my face with my hand and say, “It’s too early for the paparazzi.”
    He laughs and slides the camera into the front pocket of his jeans. “Seriously,” he says. “I’m concerned here. The sun’s barely up. And yet, here you are.”
    I tell him about my class, about the lab, about my inability to finish things on time at Winston. Loch leans against the hood of my car. “You know, I was just headed to the lake for a quick scan, but a stroll in the woods sounds intriguing,” he says. “Can I come with you?”
    â€œI’ll just be wandering the woods, taking photos of trees,” I say.
    His eyes light up. “I could search for Bigfoot tracks.”
    I smile. Only Loch. I’m relieved by the idea of familiar company. “You driving?”
    He takes his keys from his front pocket. “Naturally.”
    Loch just gets it—how important it is to continue traditions, however insignificant they may seem. I hide my excitement as we walk to his driveway.
    As I climb into the Honda, I yawn again, my eyes still heavy with sleep. I tuck my book bag near my feet and pop open a second Mountain Dew, taking a few sips before setting it in the cup holder.
    The empty backseat acts as a stark reminder that Ollie and Cowboy are slipping into new lives, away from me, away from this. It’s not quite the same without Ollie kicking my seat, without Cowboy’s quiet presence, without all of my friends surrounding me, our own miniature community. Pieces of the puzzle are missing.
    â€œIt should be illegal to be awake this early on a Saturday,” I say.
    Loch’s chin looks extra stubbly this morning. “I’ll wake you when we get there,” he says.
    I give him a thumbs-up and rest my head against the window, closing my eyes. Despite the ache in my heart, it isn’t long before I drift back into a beautiful Saturday morning slumber.

    When I wake up, Winston’s campus appears in the car window. Golden-leaved trees surround the brick building. Rolling green hills act as the backdrop. The moody sky has brightened, and rays of sunlight warm the side of my face. Fresh drool trickles out the corner of my mouth. I sit up, wiping it away, and glance over at Loch.
    He’s looking at me, an amused expression on his face.
    â€œWhat?” I ask.
    â€œNothing.” He turns away, grinning. “We’re here.”
    We park in the front lot, and I lead the way into the woods behind the main building, following the worn path walked by many girls before me. Smarter girls. Girls who can finish an assignment on time. Girls who fit in here.
    I forgot gloves, so I pull the sleeves of my sweatshirt over my cold hands as we trudge forward, the morning silence like a fog around us, ever-present.
    â€œWhat are you supposed to be looking for?” Loch asks.
    â€œI need to identify three different species of tree. I found two, but I still need a photo of the yellow birch.” I kick at a pile of dead leaves and shift my book bag to the other shoulder. “I sure picked a fun elective. Trees .”
    â€œThis campus is pretty cool.” Loch glances around.