Page 9 of His Reckless Freshman

Caroline has the extreme advantage of being a thousand times cooler and more confident than me. Even if I did want to live like her, which I guess would be kind of exciting, I don’t think I could pull it off.

Guys don’t notice me.

Girls don’t want to hang out with me.

I grew up with a few close friends… and none of them are here with me.

In fact, I’ve barely heard from any of them since starting here. I think we’re all trying to adjust to life on the outside of our precious little school. Although, they have the advantage of being together. I, of course, had to be different and come to Nolan.

Why did I fight so hard for that?

Because you wanted to break free. To really embrace life the way Caroline has.

She goes to parties. I know for a fact that she’s slept with more guys than just Casey. She wasn’t opposed to one-night stands before scoring her boyfriend. I’m not sure if my parents know about that, but they would seriously die if they did.

Caroline told me before she left for Nolan U that she was so sick of being sheltered and couldn’t wait to spread her wings and experience everything. And boy, has she. That girl has thrown herself into college life. And, I mean, now she has Casey, but before that…

I guess I am kind of curious about that whole side of her experience that I have yet to… well, experience. But who would invite me to a party? Caroline seems determined to protect me from them, which is kind of ironic considering what her first couple of years here were like.

Besides, it’s not like any guy is ever going to ask me on a date.

“Jolie?” My head pops up, my insides flushing when I recognize Kieran walking toward me.

Why is he walking toward me?

Does he know who I am?

Of course he does. He sees you all the time at the Nolan U Star.

But… he never really looks at me.

He is right now, so do something!

“Oh, uh… hi.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and give him a twitchy smile. “Hi, Mr.—”

He laughs and cuts me off. “You can just call me Kieran. I might be editor in chief, but I’m still your peer.”

“Well, you’re a senior.”

“True.” He nods. “But I’m still a student at the school.” His smile is nice as he comes to stand beside me.

I can’t believe he’s talking to me right now.

Does he know my name?

Should I remind him?

He just said it before, you idiot! Just keep your mouth shut and don’t embarrass yourself.

I bite my lips together and give him an awkward closed-mouth smile. Ugh. I must look like such a moron right now.

His eyes take me in, and he lets out this soft snicker.

I’m surprised he’s stopped to stand beside me, like he wants to talk. He always seems so distracted at the paper that I figured he’s only vaguely aware of the underlings who want to join the team. And he’s always a little gruff at the meetings—but maybe he’s just being efficient and trying to exercise his authority?

I actually heard that he wasn’t meant to get the job of editor. It was supposed to go to Angelica, and then just before the end of the academic year, they announced him, and it was quite the shock.

That’s just what Heather whispered to me one day. She doesn’t seem to like Kieran very much, but it’s probably because she’s friends with Angelica.