Which is just one more reason why I might as well not even think about him, because I would never have a chance of getting a guy as hot as Edward – and definitely not one twenty years older than me. He’s got better things to spend his time on than college girl drama, and I’m not even in college yet.
“This is the SU,” Edward says, gesturing towards a building which is plastered with posters about upcoming events. “The Student Union. It’s a bar, an events space, and all the offices for the SU are also here. You’ll probably spend a lot of time here.”
I make a face. “I don’t know,” I tell him. “I’m not really into the partying scene.”
“Really?” Edward seems impressed. “I’m surprised. Most girls your age would be jumping at the chance to experience these things a few years early. The legal drinking age is eighteen here, not twenty-one.”
I laugh. “It’s not like it’s a big deal, though. To be honest, I just want to study hard and get a good degree. I’m going to be taking business classes so I can get a good job when I graduate.”
Edward nods. “That’s smart,” he tells me.
Just then, I look up and see a guy in a red polo shirt emblazoned with the college’s logo heading out of the doors of the SU. He looks up and sees us both, and pauses.
“Hi, are you a prospective student?” he asks.
“Yeah, I am,” I tell him.
He frowns at me. “You should be on an official tour, not wandering around by yourself. I can take you around now.”
I hesitate, glancing at Edward. I was looking forward to walking around with him, even just because I liked the excuse to spend more time in his company. But if we weren't allowed, then I guess this might be coming to an end sooner than I’d like.
What should I do?
CHAPTER THREE
Edward
I look the little twerp up and down and decide there’s no way he’s stopping me from spending some time with Casey. We only just properly met, and I’m not giving away this opportunity to get to know her – and allow her to get to know me a little.
“We don’t need a tour,” I tell him, drawing myself up to my full height. “Casey’s already taken the official tour this morning.”
“Well, I should still escort you,” the boy says. “There are some areas that only students and faculty members can access, and we also don’t want you getting lost.”
“There’s not going to be any problem with that,” I say, drawing my wallet out of my back pocket.
“Uh, sir, we can’t take bribes,” the kid says, half-laughing. “I don’t know if you do things different in the US, but…”
I glare at him and pull out the item I want to show him – my alumni card. It features my picture and full name, as well as the years I studied and my course. Undeniable proof that I am actually allowed to walk around as much as I’d like.
“You said that Casey needs to be accompanied by a student or a member of staff, right?” I ask him. “Well, you’re looking at a former student. So, buzz off, kid.”
He studies the card closely and swallows, clearly trying to decide whether to argue with me or not. “I see,” he says, finally. “Um. Just. Be careful, I guess.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t go anywhere we’re not supposed to,” I tell him, filing the card away. Then I slip a hand to the small of Casey’s back and push her forward, steering her around him and away, leaving him to watch us go.
“I thought he was going to kick us out for a moment,” Casey mutters, glancing back over her shoulder at him and then facing forward.
“Just a jobsworth,” I say dismissively. “He’s only a student rep. He’d have to call security to do anything like that. He wouldn’t have the authority.”
“I wouldn’t have known that,” Casey laughs. “I guess I have a lot to learn.”
“I wouldn’t recommend just straight-up ignoring your reps, but yeah, they can’t do a lot by themselves,” I tell her. “They can get you in trouble, sure, but they’re not like the campus police or anything.”
“What should we look at next?” Casey asks. “Isn’t that the library up ahead?”
“Right,” I tell her, with a knowing smile. “Now, the library is going to be very important. If you’re staying in the dorms, expect a noisy environment, especially if you have annoying neighbors. Sleep is not something that all students try to pursue during the night.”
“That sounds stressful,” Casey says.
“It can be, if you’re trying to study,” I say, leading her along the path towards the library. “That’s why you’re going to want to spend a lot of time in here. It’s changed a bit since I was a student – the computer rooms, particularly – but whether you’re studying on your laptop or taking down books to read, you’ll still need some peace and quiet. The library provides that.”
“I might get distracted by having other people around,” Casey says, looking up at the floors of the library stretching above us with a worried expression.
“Well, there are private study rooms you can book out,” I tell her. “They’re usually only big enough for one student and you’re supposed to stay quiet inside there, but they have sound-proofing so you can’t hear any distractions from outside – or see anyone else, either.”
“That sounds a lot better.” Casey turns and looks to one side. “And what’s that building, again?”
I frown. The building is mostly glass, modern and filled with
