Free As I Am by AnnaLisa Grant

common room. Pete, Matthew, and Amy are sitting on the couch while Carrie and Bridget are standing next to them in front of the fireplace. I don’t see Addison anywhere, or Miller. I guess she achieved her mission. Good. That’s … good.
    “Hey , Kin!” Carrie says.
    “ Did you just get back from hanging with the douchebag,” Amy asks.
    “You and Cal Harper,” Bridget says with disbelief. “You’re way too good for him, Kinley.”
    “Why does everyone think he’s a d-bag?” I question defensively.
    “We don’t think he’s a d-bag, Kinley,” Matthew says, nudging Amy. “Not really. We just think you can do better.”
    “Thank you, Matthew. You guys just need to get to know him. He’s really nice and smart, and, well, he likes me, and you have to admit, I’m not exactly the type of girl he normally goes for.”
    “Kinley …” Bridget starts.
    “We’re not talking about this. Ok ay? Okay. Besides, there’s nothing to talk about. Whatever it is Cal and I are doing is newer than a kitten: it hasn’t even opened its eyes yet!” At least that’s all I can say about it now. He was sweet with me tonight, but I still didn’t feel any real spark like I thought I would. And I can’t shake the whole thing about him telling me he’ll see me tomorrow instead of later after he got Tiffany settled. What is that?
    “Whatever you say,” Amy says with a tight lip.
    “Good. Now, what were you MENSA members discussing when I walked up?”
    “Pete was just betting that he could get Dave to bust another door down,” Matthew says.
    “Really? That’s not much of a bet. Didn’t last year’s door get knocked down because you bet Dave the same thing during the drinking game?” Last year’s drinking games were basically versions of Truth or Dare. Since I don’t drink, I didn’t have to tell the truth or accept a dare, which is good because most of the dares had to do with making out, and most of the truths had to do with how sexually adventurous you were. They guys always manned-up on their turns, always taking dare when the challenger was another dude. A lot of stuff got broken.
    “Actually, he busted the door down last year because he had to pee really bad from all the drinking during the game. So, technically, I guess you could say it was because of the drinking game, but …” Matthew explains with a laugh.
    “Hey!” Addy says, saddling up beside me. “Where’s Cal? Did you two have a good time tonight?” she asks in a sing-song voice.
    “Hey. Oh, yeah, we had a fun. He helped me take some pictures. There was this awesome glow on Lake Hollis an d ‒ ‒ ”
    Addy cuts me off and grabs my arm. “Excuse me , everyone. I have to chat with my sister really quick!”
    Whisking me through the house and onto the front porch, Addy about pulls my shoulder out of its socket. “What do you mean he helped you take pictures? You worked ?” She’s let go of my arm and now has her arms folded accusingly across her body.
    “What? We walked out to one of the lookouts and sat and talked for a little bit. We talked about his job options, then we talked about my photography. One thing led to another and he offered to help me get some good shots,” I explain.
    “That is not what is supposed to follow ‘one thing led to another,’ Kinley! You said you would be open to him. How is taking pictures of a stupid lake being open?” Addy practically yells. I’d be worried about people hearing her but there’s music playing in the cabin and most everyone is drinking and oblivious to anything else. “And what was all that between Miller and Cal? If you had just gone with Cal in the first place we wouldn’t have had any of that tension that spoiled the mood I was going to build for me and Miller to take a walk of our own!”
    “ First of all, what happened between Cal and Miller was not my fault! If anything, it was really Cal’s. He shouldn’t have been such a jerk to Miller! And what are you expecting me to do