Page 11 of Your Love

I express my gratitude with a smile and nod, “Nice to meet you. I’m Kerri.”

She motions towards the textbook and invites me to follow along with her. Thanks to Ivy, I’m not as overwhelmed in this class as I would have been alone.

“Would you like to join me and my friends for lunch?” she asks as class is coming to an end, and we’re both packing our things into our bags.

I consider it for a moment before politely declining. “No, thank you. I brought my lunch. I think I’ll just eat outside today. Plus, I should stop by the library and get that economics book.”

“Sure, if you change your mind, my locker is in C-Hall,” she says with a smile.

I nod and thank her before turning to walk away. The thought of joining a group of strangers for lunch makes me uncomfortable, even though Ivy seems nice enough. I need some time to adjust before diving into social situations. This is all a little too much, too soon for me.

I sling my backpack over one shoulder and step out into the bright, sunny day. Scanning the area, I spot a large oak tree with a perfect patch of grass underneath. Pulling out my headphones and sunglasses, I settle in under the shade of the tree.

With careful hands, I unpack my Nana’s lunch for me: a ham sandwich on whole grain bread, a bag of crunchy chips, juicy slices of watermelon, and her famous homemade banana bread. I save that for last and take a bite, savoring the sweetness on my tongue as I close my eyes and lean back against the sturdy oak.

I’ve been leaning under that tree on the grass for about thirty minutes, long enough to listen to every song on side A of my favorite cassette tape. I’m enjoying being in my own little world when I’m startled by a touch on my shoulder.

My eyes snap open, and I straighten my posture, ready to defend myself or run if necessary.

“Kerri, it’s just me. I’m so sorry I startled you,” Ivy says, taking a tentative step back.

I place my hand over my chest to calm my racing heart and release a nervous laugh. “It’s okay. I was just lost in my mixed tape.” I gestured toward the Walkman on my lap.

As I shift my gaze around the area, I catch sight of some people standing around me. A couple of tall, athletic guys surround her, their boisterous chatter filling the air. Beside them stands Ivy herself, and a few people are chatting in the back of the group that I can’t really see. My eyes drift to the beautiful brunette at Ivy’s side, who watches me with a hint of skepticism in her expression.

“Everyone,” she announces, gesturing to the group with a wide smile. “I’d like you to meet Kerri.”

“Howdy, y’all,” I say casually, not giving a second thought to my response.

The guy with bleached blonde hair stares at me intently and says, “Say that again.”

“You want me to repeat it?” I ask, my voice tinged with amusement and a hint of disbelief.

He nods eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement.

I take a deep breath before repeating, “Howdy, y’all.”

His face lights up with delight. “That is the most charming thing I’ve ever heard!” he exclaims. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from Texas,” I reply, giving him a knowing smile. “A small town not too far from Austin.” And because I know the question that will inevitably follow, I add preemptively, “I just moved here to help out my grandparents on their farm.”

The blonde guy let out a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be,” he exclaims. “We have our very own Daisy Duke right here in Merrimack.”

“You’re an insufferable idiot,” the brunette snaps at him, rolling her eyes. “Do you ever get tired of the sound of your own voice?”

“Honestly, no,” he replies with a smug grin.

“These are the friends I was telling you about,” Ivy interjects. “This is Michael, and we apologize for him in advance.”

He scoffs but doesn’t argue as she continues. “This is Sascha,” she says, motioning to the raven-haired beauty.

“Hey,” Sascha says, her smile warmer than it was a few moments ago.

“This is my boyfriend, Corey,” Ivy says, looping her arm around the arm of a tall, very handsome guy with dark hair and deep brown eyes.

“Hi, Kerri,” he says warmly. “People call me Delzy. And call him Taz,” he says, motioning to the guy currently picking up my Walkman and listening to my tape. I start to protest, but by the time I get any words out, he’s happily dancing around and singing “Buffalo Stance” by Neneh Cherry.

With a graceful gesture, Ivy finishes the introductions. “And this is Landry.” A tall man strides over from where he was previously hidden behind Ivy and her boyfriend. As if on cue, trouble seems to have walked into my life once again.