On Wednesday after school, I sat at the kitchen table with my English lit book out while I worked on a paper. During my grounding, I tried to focus my time on schoolwork so at least some good would come out of all this.

“Hey, Ell,” Mom called as she sauntered into the kitchen with a knowing grin on her face. “You got something in the mail today.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Why are you smiling like that?” I set down my notebook and got up. My mom had something white and narrow in her hand, and when I got close, I saw that it was an envelope.

“You sure you want to see it?” she said with a laugh. “It’s from Michigan Sta—”

“Give it,” I ordered, and snatched at it.

She yanked it out of my reach and high over her head. My mom, even when she was wearing flip-flops, towered over my petite height. “I thought you didn’t want it, Ell.”

“Not cool,” I grumbled as I hopped up to grab the letter. “You cheat!”

She laughed. “Oh, you’re no fun.”

She dropped her arm, and I grabbed it out of her hand. “My kind of fun just doesn’t include making fun of vertically challenged people.”

The letter in my hand was thick and addressed to me from Michigan State University. I let out a long breath, then tore open the top. I fumbled with the papers inside, surprised at the butterflies filling up my belly. This was my future, after all—if I even had a future.

I stared at the top page in shock. “Oh, my God.”

“What?” Mom peeked over my shoulder.

“I got in.” My voice was barely audible, but my shock spun into excitement. “I got in!”

My mom scooped me into a hug and squeezed me as tightly as she could, crying out unintelligible things as she kissed my cheek and hair. “I’m so happy for you!” she cried as legit tears ran down her cheeks. Was she really that surprised that I got into college? “We should do something special and fun for dinner. How about pancakes? This is a good pancakes day.”

I beamed up at her. “Thanks, Mom. I’m dying for pancakes.” I said cheerfully. “I’m so excited. Hey, do you think I could get a little time off and run around the mall this weekend with Kate and stretch my legs?”

“Sure,” she replied. “You’ve been doing so well lately, and I think it would do you some good.”

I’d gotten into college and I was going to get a relaxing day at the mall. I’d never looked so forward to anything before.

The next Saturday, Kate and I wandered around the mall, dipping in and out of stores just to look. I didn’t have any money to buy anything, but the stale mall air and the absence of Will made the brief freedom so much sweeter.

“I can’t wait for fall,” Kate said as she munched on her french fries across the table from me in the food court. “We’ll be roomies and go to class and party … it will be amazing!”

I laughed. “Will you be saving time for Marcus, too?”

She flashed me a sly grin. “I might. If I keep him around long enough.”

“Dumping him already?” I took a sip of my Orange Julius.

“We aren’t official,” she said. “Just … hanging out. He’s a lot of fun, but my options are open.”

“Probably a good idea,” I said vaguely. I hoped she would move on quickly so I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting mixed up in the world of reapers by dating one.

“Kate!” called an unfamiliar voice.

I turned my head and saw two really cute guys approaching. They looked older than us—and I was very sure they weren’t in high school.

“What’s up, ladies?” The first boy flipped his longish, grungy hair out of his eyes and grinned.

Kate flashed him a languorous smile. “Hey, Jay. Back in town for the weekend?”

He slid up to her, rested a hand on the back of her chair, and kissed her on the cheek. “Only to see you, babe.”

“Yeah, right.” She laughed and nudged his chest.

He laughed. “We’re just here for the afternoon. How have you been?”

“Peachy.” She grinned.

The second boy was even cuter and had short, spiky hair. His gaze fell on me, and he gave me a very obvious examination that almost made me blush. “Who’s your friend?” he asked with a smile.

“That’s Ellie,” Kate said with an edge to her voice. “She’s my best, which means she’s very cool.”

“I’m Brian,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”

I turned on the charm. “Likewise.” I took another sip and smiled. He was really cute. Really cute.

“Jay and Brian go to State,” Kate explained. “How’s sophomore year treating you boys?”

Jay shrugged. “It’s good.”

“Four-day weekends aren’t bad,” Brian said. “Four hours of classes a day Monday through Thursday, and then the fun begins. What are you girls doing tonight?”

Kate’s brow flickered. “I’m not doing anything—yet. What’ve you got planned?”

“We’re having a party at our house,” Jay said. “The one we’re renting this year. You two should come along.”

“Ellie?” Kate bumped her knee into mine. “You game?”

It was tempting. I wouldn’t drag Will along or even let him come if he wanted to. I had to get out and get away from him, and I didn’t need him to protect me. If I could take a centuries-old reaper, then I could take a bunch of drunk college boys.