Let Me In

Xander

Ten years ago

I kept my sunglasses on, protecting my eyes from the hot San Diego sun. I was early and in no hurry to get to my next class at UCSD. In fact, I was dreading it a little. I knew it wasn’t going to go well. It never did. My professor had taken a strong disliking to me from the moment I darkened his door. I didn’t know why, and I didn’t give a shit. I just needed the damn grade.

My book bag was slung over one shoulder as I walked along the cement sidewalk. I sipped the iced coffee I carried in my other hand. It was a gorgeous sunny day. As soon as I was done with class, I was going to the beach. A cold beer and some good music were exactly what this day needed.

“Wait up,” I heard from behind me.

I slowed my walk, waiting for Charlie Pugh to catch up. The guy was two years younger than me. We had met last year, his freshman year, and I had taken him under my wing.

“I didn’t think you had class on Fridays,” I said.

He grinned. “I don’t, but the hot chick I’m after does. I’m going to accidentally run into her and see if I can convince her to go out with me tonight.”

“Good boy,” I teased.

“Did you do it?” he asked.

I patted my hand against my book bag. “I did.”

“Xander, he’s going to fail you,” he warned.

“I don’t care. It’s good. If the old goat could pull his head out of the nineteenth century, he would know it was good.”

He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “You are a rebel.”

“No, I’m smarter than the average bear and this asshole can’t see it. He hates me and is looking for a reason to fail me. It isn’t going to work. Even if he rejects the project or gives me a shitty grade, I’ll still pass.”

“What about your dad, though?”

I rolled my eyes behind my dark shades. “I don’t give a shit about that either. I’m passing. I’m not a college dropout. I’ll graduate and he can get over it.”

“You are a bad ass,” he joked.

“Who is this girl you have the hots for?” I asked.

“She’s a little older than I am, blonde, and sexy as hell. I’ve had my eye on her for a while. I have accidentally run into her a couple times. I make her laugh.”