Years of Summer: Lily's Story Read Online Free Page A

go hock it at the pawn shop and at least get some money for it.”
    “Why in the world would I want anything that ever belonged to him, he’d probably twist it all around and say I was only after him for his money, making me out as the bad guy again.  Like I said go throw it in the trash, I don’t want anything to do with it.”
    He held up his hands.  “Okay, okay, dropping the subject.” 
    I don’t know whatever happened to the ring.  He might have thrown it away.  I didn’t care. I wanted no reminders of Chance anywhere near me.
    “Well, gentlemen, let’s be on our way.” Ty, Jace, and Tuck walked towards the door.  Jace turned around and spoke to Chelsea.  “Chels, what time are you two going to dinner?”
    “I don’t know, we are supposed to join Brianna, Hayley, and Jillian, and I think Nina is coming too.  Hang on, let me call them.”
    Chelsea picked up the phone and then pulled them back in from the hall.  Jace looked at me and grinned.  His smile could melt glaciers.  Ty and Tuck grinned at Jace.  I could have sworn there was some kind of hidden message in their smiles.  Jace came back to my desk chair and sat down until Chelsea was off of the phone.  “Jace, I couldn’t get them, I think they are still in class until four.  I’ll try around 4:15 and then when I find out I’ll give you a call.”
    “Ok, Chels.  See you two later.”  He stood up from the chair and kissed me on top of the head.  Shocked?!  You better believe it.  “We’ll meet you for dinner.  Dave and John will probably join us.  Mike might too.  Rider and Shawn probably will too.  See you girls then.”  Chelsea winked at me as she shut our door and escorted the guys out.
    What just happened? I wasn’t sure, but I thought I liked it. I found myself actually looking forward to dinner for a change, instead of dreading another onslaught of Chance.  I started getting more excited, because that meant that if there were more of the fraternity around us, Chance would not be.  I may get through a meal for once without loss of appetite.  My mom already claims I am too skinny . 
    I had lost a ton of weight in the past four months, like about twenty pounds, almost to the point of bony.  I couldn’t help it, my nerves were shot, which made me unable to eat, unless I wanted to be sick. Lemon-lime soda kept me going.
    I was looking forward to Spring Break.  I needed a break, but this year I wasn’t going home until later in the week.  Our sorority sponsor invited us to her three-story beach house at Seaside for a retreat.  There were twenty of us going.  She and her husband were going to be there.  They were going to be house-parents for that time.  We were going to be right across the street from the beach.  I couldn’t wait; we were leaving in two weeks. 
    All of a sudden I was almost sad that I wasn’t going to be at school still.  Jace came to mind.  The grin he gave me this afternoon, made me want to melt.  I wondered what he was doing over Spring Break.  That was answered at dinner.
    Brianna called and let us know they were going to meet us at 5:45.  Chelsea handed me the phone.  “Call Jace and let him know what time.”
    “Why can’t you, you’re the one holding the phone.”
    “Are you chicken?”
    “What . . . No, I’m not chicken.”
    “Then call Jace and tell him.”  She had an evil smirk on her face as I took the phone from her. 
    I dialed Jace’s number.  He answered.  “Hello.”
    “Hey, Jace, this is Lily.  We’re meeting them at 5:45.”
    “Okey Doke, we’ll see you then.  Bye, Lil.”
    “Bye, Jace.”  I hung up, glaring at Chelsea.  “There, are you happy now?” 
    She kind of bounced around me with her excited little girl trill.  “Jace li-ike’s Lil-ly, Jace li-ike’s Lil-ly.”
    “Will you stop, Chelsea?  So what if he does.  He has never had a steady girlfriend in his life I’m sure of it, especially on this campus.”
    “Well dear