Free The Lonely Girl by Gracie Wilson

entered their gate, we left to head to the dorms. I thought we’d drop Keegan off right away, but he seems to be coming for the ride.
    “Becca, are you sure you don’t want to room with Keegan and me, we are still close to campus?” I knew my brother would try again. So I decide to embrace my new bad ass attitude I’ve been working on while in Europe.
    “Alec, trust me this is better. I don’t want to see you bringing home girls, and I sure as hell don’t want you around when I bring home a guy.” You could hear a pin drop in the car. Maybe it was a bad idea to say that to my brother. Before I know what is going on we are on the side of the road, and he’s pulling me out of the car all the while Keegan is giving me a dirty look.
    “What the hell does that mean , Becca? I don’t know what you’ve been up to in Europe but that shit won’t fly here with me.” Alec is yelling at me. “You are not doing that and if that’s what you think this year’s about I’m calling Mom right now and having your dorm cancelled and you will live with me.” 
    Who the hell does he think he’s talking to ? I am his sister, and I love him, but he has some nerve. I’m about ready to lose it on him, but I hold back, because I see Keegan getting out of the car.
    “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, Alec? One, I’m your sister not your child remember that. Two, I know a lot about the girls you’ve been with. Remember, I met a bunch of your friends so don’t act like a saint. Three, I am a grown ass woman and will make my own choices. For the record, I’m not a slut and was kidding, but I do want my damn privacy from my overbearing brother.” Wow, did that feel good and awful as my brother’s face falls. “Alec, I just want to do my own thing. I don’t want you constantly worrying about me, and you need to have a life too. Outside of me, you have your own friends. Besides, I know you’re going to see me all the time.”
    My brother and Keegan look stunned. I’m sorry to do this, but I’ve been on my own all summer. I don’t need this now. My nightmares are about all I can handle.
    Keegan walks over and says, “Becca, we just want to make sure you’re okay. It’s been a rough year.”
    I don’t mean to snap at him, but I do anyway. “Keegan, you don’t think I know that. But I’m done living my life that way. My boyfriend died and I had one that beat me up.” They both wince, but I go on. “I know that this has been hard but I’m ready to move on.”
    They both look at each other and say at the same time, “Move on?”
    I shake my head. I think I have to be completely blunt with them. “Yes move on. I’m ready to start dating again.” I don’t wait for their response. I go back to the car and get in. They both follow me, and we drive back to the dorm in silence.
    When we arrive on campus, it is full of students bringing their stuff in. My brother tells me that they dropped off some boxes this morning with Mom and Dad, but I still have stuff in the back, and they didn’t unpack anything. Thank God I didn't pack my stuffed bear that would be very embarrassing if they found it. My whole ‘I’m a grown woman’ speech would have meant nothing. When we get out and start to unload my bags and boxes, I hear someone yell, “Becca.” I turn and smile instantly. I drop my bag and run.
    “Jake,” I yell as I jump into his arms and he twirls me around. I get lost in the moment for a minute. When we both realize we have an audience we separate. We turn and Jake says ‘Hi’ to both the Keegan and Alec, who are now staring at us. They don’t know we have spent the summer together in Europe, and he and I emailed each other daily prior to that.
    I break the awkwardness saying, “Jake, where’s your dorm?”
    He gives me a sly smile. “ Actually, funny you’d ask that. I’m right next door to you.”
    I can’t help my excitement, and I hug him again. “That’s great, I didn’t know you were in