Promise Read Online Free

emerald green on the
outside of the irises and brown around the pupils with gold specks
that seemed to… sparkle . They were fringed with such long,
dark lashes that it was unfair they were on a guy. His facial
features were flawless—a square jaw, full lips and a golden
suntan—better than any movie star or model. Sandy brown hair,
longer on top and streaked by the sun, topped off his perfection.
And then he smiled magnificently and the gold flecks in his eyes
sparkled brighter, like when the sun hits gold flakes in a mining
pan. My brain slid out the exit door and my insides melted. Get
a grip!
    I tried to remember his name. He had to have
introduced himself to the team. I must have been really focused on
that mind nudge, because I drew a blank.
    "I'm Tristan…in case you didn't catch
it."
    I nodded as if I knew. "Yeah, nice to meet
you, Tristan. Sorry about running into you."
    "I'm not," he murmured so quietly, I probably
wasn't supposed to have heard.
    We both stood there awkwardly…well, I felt awkward, anyway. I expected him to leave, but, strangely, he
didn't.
    "So…how was your first day of classes?" he
finally asked.
    I looked up at him in surprise. Why are
you talking to me? No one talks to me.
    "Uh, fine, I guess. You?"
    "This is my only class today and, so far,
it's perfect." He chuckled, as if there were some underlying
meaning to his answer.
    "Lucky. This is my third."
    "Busy day." Another moment of awkward silence
passed before he continued, probably thinking it rude to walk off
now. "This is my only class this semester, actually. Too much other
stuff going on to take a full load right now."
    I told him I could relate and, for some
reason, babbled through my entire schedule, my hand flitting
anxiously between twirling the tab of my soda can and tugging at my
hair.
    "Women's studies, huh?" He lifted an eyebrow,
a gleam in his eyes. "Maybe I should look into that one.
Sounds…interesting."
    I laughed. It sounded unusually high,
anxious. "It's almost all girls…but I'm sure they wouldn't kick you out."
    Did I really just say that aloud? I
blushed. He laughed, the pleasurable sound making my heart
flip.
    I struggled to concentrate through the rest
of class, replaying the five-minute conversation with Tristan and
silently chastising myself for acting like an airhead.
    "Which dorm are you in?" the blond
girl-next-door asked me after class. I thought someone called her
Carlie.
    "Oh, I live off campus, with my…" Oops,
almost said Mom. I was out of practice. "…with my sister."
    "Oh, too bad." She sounded genuinely
disappointed. "I thought we could walk back together, maybe hang
out. I'll see you Wednesday afternoon for our team meeting."
    "Yeah, see you then." I thought maybe college
was different than high school. People were actually friendly.
    As soon as she left, prickles of fear trailed
down my spine. I realized I'd have to walk to my car alone, in the
dark, and that scared the crap out of me. It felt like the
opportune time and place for another attack. My attackers probably
didn't even know where I lived now, but I had no guarantees. They
found me once. I was sure they could find me again.
    I stuffed my books in my bag and retrieved my
keys. I gripped them with their points jutting between my fingers
to use as a weapon, clutched the bag's strap in my other hand and
took a deep breath.
    "I'll walk you out to the parking lot,"
Tristan offered, slinging his own bag over his shoulder. "You
shouldn't be alone on campus at night."
    I exhaled with relief. "That'd be great."
    Though I'd just met him, I felt safe with
Tristan. Not that I wanted him or anyone else involved, but I hoped
those strangers wouldn't try to attack with other people
around—real people, not boys with little pocket knives.
    As we walked in silence, I wondered what was
wrong with him. There had to be something because he paid attention
to me. Of course, I was usually the one avoiding everyone else,
only because I knew there would be a