My Mind's Eye (Pub Fiction #1) Read Online Free Page A

She hugs me and I revel in her warmth. My parents have been amazing with my crazy need to feel extra safe in our new home.
    ***
    “Thank God the girls all seem really nice, too, eh, Claire?” I say, as we’re unloading the rest of our belongings from the moving truck. Having just met our roommates, I have a very good feeling about them. I’m relieved. I’ve been agonizing about whether or not we will get along, or if they’d be a bunch a rowdy freshman girls.
    As soon as we all met, I was instantly put at ease, especially since Amanda, Kym, Beth, and Radha seemed to have been just as nervous as I was, which caused me to relax big time. The last thing I need is to be having battles on the home front.
    “Yes, I was really worried,” says Claire. “More for you than me, though. You know me, I love a good party, and I have amazing stamina.”
    Love to party, does she ever, I laugh to myself before she finishes.
    “I know you were worried they’d be a bunch of freshman party animals, and how you need to keep your focus on school, so I’m glad they are more on the quiet side,” she continues. “I think we’ll get along well. I’m excited to be the resident party girl. Maybe I can corrupt you all.”
    Claire beams, the smile on her face giving off a look I know all too well. She is already cooking up raging party plans in her head. I can’t help but grin at her comment, because over the years, Claire has definitely helped bring me out of my shell. I can only imagine how serious she might be about the notion of corrupting some new blood.
    “Hey, Kat!” she says.
    “Yeah?”
    “Now that I know you’re feeling better about the new roomies situation, I have to say, since you don’t have to worry about the girls, you’ll be able to focus on school and boys this year. I mean, come on, Kitty, have you seen some of the hotties walking around here? Yummy!” Claire yells, as she heads inside with another box. “I say we forget the unpacking and go introduce ourselves to the neighbourhood.” I know Claire is essentially egging me on. She knows my priorities, but she’s just enough of a little shit to test my resistance anytime she can.
    “Absolutely not, no way. The last thing I need is to get caught up in a relationship. I have enough going on with a new house, unpacking, the new job, new friends, and our final year and placements. Oh, and let’s not forget to throw in that shithead, Seth. That ass is still trying to win me back. I am done.”
    “Oh, come on, Kitty Kat. You can’t deny yourself fun forever. And nothing says fun like hot sex with a super-hot stud,” she says with a smirk on her face.
    “God, you’re relentless, Claire,” I say, offering a scowl at her suggestion. “Listen to me, chick. This year is all about school and work. Only work and school. What I will not be adding to my year is more boy troubles. Fuck. That.” I cross my arms over my chest, levelling her with a glare, which I hope shows her I am not backing down on this one.
    I’m by no means a prude or a Debbie Downer, but I’m certainly not a drunken sorority girl looking to hook-up and marry the beyond-too-cool, popular quarterback. I have goals and a plan, and some cocky player isn’t going to mess that up. The last thing I need is more pressure. Besides, Seth is all the boy trouble I can handle as it is.
    I shake off the image of my ex, who has become a pain in my ass, trying to wear me down and listen to him explain things to me. I’ve been ignoring his calls and texts for months now. Shuddering at the thought of Seth, I offer to take Claire over to Starbucks for a well-deserved moving break, to which she agreed instantly. “Hell yes, I could totally go for a java fix. It’s almost nine o’clock. I am done for tonight, chick. Let me grab my purse,” Claire replies before heading to her room. “I’ll meet you outside, Claire Bear,” I shout. I ask the other girls if they want to come, but they’re all busy