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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I'm sitting in an over-sized bean bag chair at my best friend Kelly's house discussing our upcoming college situation next month. Going through a brochure for The University of Tampa, I excitedly tell Kelly about my new dorm and roommates.

"I'm so happy I get to do the apartment-style dorm. I don't know if I could've handled being cramped into a normal small dorm with some stranger!"

She gives me a side-eye " Hey, that's what my dorm is like at LSU. I unlike you actually find it exciting to be in an actual dorm with just one roommate. I mean how are you going to handle 3?".

I roll my eyes at her but she's right. I am not that sociable and my track record on meeting new people has not been good. I go to her full-length mirror hanging on her bedroom door and take a look at myself. My skin is darker from the summer sun and my hair is a bit shorter. However, if you had known me a few months ago, you wouldn't have even noticed those little changes.

Over the summer, I decided I didn't want to be the bigger girl anymore. I wanted to have a guy notice me. I wanted to feel good about myself. So right after graduation, I did a complete overhaul on myself. I went on a strict no-carb diet, gave up practically anything with sugar, and worked out at the gym every single day. I have currently lost over 60 pounds and I don't plan on stopping until I've lost at least 20 more. I don't need to be a stick but I figure 135-140 pounds range would be perfect for me.

"I've been texting with my roommates and they all seem pretty cool. Besides, I'm going to need all the friends I can get with you being over 700 miles away and Tessa all the way in California."

"Ugh, don't remind me. All of us are going to different places this fall. Jamie will be in Boston, Mack in D.C., Josh will be all the way in Hawaii. I'm still so jealous of him by the way and Peyton will be at Texas State. I can't believe we won't all be around to hang out every weekend anymore." I can see the tears forming in her eyes and I look away before I start to cry too.

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"I hate this. What am I going to do without my best friends?"

"You will be fine. Look at you. You have been so focused on yourself this summer, it has paid off. You are absolutely gorgeous and all the guys in Tampa will be vying for your attention!"

I laugh and roll my eyes. "You'll be fine too. At least Ian will only be an hour from you so you'll get to see him all of the time." Kelly and Ian have been together for the last 5 years. I'm actually surprised they'll be an hour apart and not at the same school.

"Actually, I think I'm going to break up with him."

"What? Why?"

"It's college, Jazz. We're supposed to meet new people and date. I love Ian, don't get me wrong but I want to experience college life without a boyfriend. At least for a little while."

I nod my head at her. I totally get where she's coming from. I mean who wants to be tied down to their high school boyfriend?

"The same goes for you too." I look over at her confused. "What are you talking about?" "You need to experience college life too. Go to parties, meet cute guys, have fun." I still have a confused look on my face and she must notice because she continues with "I mean, don't just follow Jonah around like a puppy like you did the last 6 years."

My jaw drops and I look at her wide-eyed but quickly recover. Jonah. I swear its a total coincidence that we're going to the same school. I applied and was accepted long before knowing that was where he was planning on going to as well. Will it be amazing having him there too? Well duh. I haven't seen him since grad night. He still hasn't seen the new me. Will he like me? Will I like that? What am I saying? Of course, I would. Wouldn't I?

I shake my thoughts away and look over at Kelly. "Don't worry, Jonah has no interest in me anyway and I've moved on."

She gives me an "I don't believe you look" and I just shrug. Maybe that was a lie but so what? I have no chance with Jonah McCarthy and I don't plan on making a fool out of myself by asking him out. Again.