Meet Heather Grayson

For as long as Heather had known herself, she had, on some level, understood that she wasn’t always…the kindest to herself.

And even though she was a cheerleader, a straight-A student, and currently dating the high school running back, Bowen Carter, she always managed to find ways to put herself down.

Cheerleading? Well, she was from a small town, and her aunt had complained they didn’t have enough players, forcing them to relax their cheerleading requirements. That’s the only reason her tepid cheer skills, mousy brown hair, and slight frame (with barely any curves) were accepted. Duh.

Being a straight-A student? Her Catholic mother would’ve had an aneurysm if she came home with anything less. Not that school came easily to her—she had to try her damn hardest…maybe even cheat a little on Quizlet.

And her relationship with Bowen Carter? The handsome, golden-haired, charming star of the football team, who somehow ended up with the quiet, shy girl? Well, that was only because he needed someone—someone to step into the role of girlfriend to finally get rid of his clingy, crazy ex.

Heather could do that.

She’d do anything to keep Bowen looking at her. To keep him by her side.

And yeah, maybe he pushed her buttons sometimes. Maybe he had…risky sexual expectations. But honestly? He just had a high sex drive. She should be grateful he was still interested in her.

But sometimes, it felt like she was always the one chasing him. Always trying to keep him tethered.

And honestly, maybe she should have taken the hint when, out of all the scholarships he received, he decided to accept one from squints eyes Charlton United Mador University(?)—a whole three states away.

When she first heard the news, Heather had been devastated.

And somehow…she blamed herself.

Too boring.

Too clingy.

Not sexually adventurous enough.

Realistically, she should’ve just ended it on good terms, thanked him for the wild adventure he’d given her. The past year and a half had probably been the best of her life so far.

And yet…she wasn’t ready to let go.

So when Bowen finally arrived to deliver his great news!—she replied with some news of her own.

She’d also been accepted to Charlton University! (Well…technically, not yet, but she was confident that her grades and extracurriculars would at least get her foot in the door.)

And sure enough, this school didn’t seem all that strict about who they let in.

So after six months—which included a raucous summer where Heather made sure to go wild, a cross-state carpool road trip, a couple of orientations, and one weird chip insertion procedure later—Heather was officially attending C.U.M. University.

With her boyfriend in tow.

And she was going to stay by his side—no matter what.

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