Chapter Eleven

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
"There are other universities in Pennsylvania. Why move all the way out here?" That was the first serious question Jaylen asked me tonight. Disregarding the ones earlier about the fight I had with Olivia. 
                          
Our questions for one another were like the questionnaire on any dating site. I knew because Mona signed up for one once. Jaylen and I danced around the much heavier topic that we wanted to talk about but didn't want to ruin the comfortable state we were at. 
                          
Pennsylvania definitely had great universities under its wing. My mother wanted me to attend a school near her, to keep an eye on me. She said it was for the best. But I knew she just wanted to make sure I focused on one thing only. School. 
                          
I applied to a few universities there, to satisfy my mother. Deep down, I knew I wasn't going to be accepting any of them. Mona and I, back in freshman year in high school, drew up our future plan during one of our sleepovers. 
                          
Attending a university outside of our hometown, outside of the state, was part of our plans. She said we needed to get out of the shithole we called Heaford. Although there were many opportunities to succeed in Pennsylvania, we wouldn't be at our best with both of our parents watching us. 
                          
"Needed a change," It was true. It was the same answer I had given Zane. As much as I loved my parents, doing everything they commanded, it was time to find out who I truly was. 
                          
So far, all I knew I was the good girl. A good girl who aced all of their subjects and never once partied. Shocking to some people since Mona Jackson was my best friend. But I had to stay on track because I knew at the end of high school, we were both moving far away from our childhood home. 
                          
"And how's that going for you?" We were sitting on his couch now. His arm resting on top, reaching over to where I was and playing with the ends of my hair. If I was all the way on the opposite side of the couch, his lengthy arm would still reach my hair. 
                          
University life was what I exactly envisioned it to be. Minus being on the couch with the captain of Ridgeview's basketball team. Tons of schoolwork and endless nights in the library. Mona would sprinkle in some fun here and there, just I thought she would. 
                          
"Everything I expected," I told him. Truthfully once again. I was on a roll. Usually, I would lie. Whatever that would satisfy their curious minds. But with Jaylen, I couldn't. He looked at me like he could tell when I would lie. As if we had known each other long enough for him to do so. 
                          
"Well. That's boring," He continued, "What's the point of going to a different state and still do the same thing?" 
                          
"You weren't part of the plan. Yet, here I am. And here you are." 
                          
There was a movie he played before we settled into the couch. My eyes wandered over to the screen, reading the subtitles because which bitch doesn't. I definitely did. I could never watch movies without subtitles. People who watched movies without subtitles are psychopaths. Proven fact.