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at least for now. Besides, I know he'll get enough jokes from Van, his roommate and best friend.
    Dylan and Van went to high school together here in Chicago, and then ended up at the same college. Van had originally planned to go out East for school but then his parents divorced and he decided to stay here for his sisters. They're younger than him and didn't take the divorce well so he wanted to be here for them. Van's annoying at times, but overall he's a good guy. He has a big heart. He fits the stereotype of the sensitive artist, but that's what makes him a good musician. He literally feels the emotion in the music and can tell when a note is off. And he's awesome at writing lyrics, most of which are based on his past relationships. That's why he's being so hard on Dylan. Dylan is usually the one making fun of Van for writing songs based on girls, but now it's the other way around.  
    I position my guitar and strum out a few notes. Dylan gives me a grateful nod for finally playing, then moves up to the mic and starts the song. Whoever this girl is, she brought out Dylan's softer side. I mean, seriously, a love ballad? That's the last thing I would've ever thought he'd write.
    It just shows what a girl can do to you. I've seen girls change all three of my brothers, and now I'm seeing it happen with Dylan, after meeting a girl one time.
    I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I don't want some girl coming in and changing everything. Not that it's always bad. My brothers are happier than they've ever been. But so am I. Being single doesn't bother me. I like my freedom. My life is fine just the way it is, so why complicate it with some girl?

Chapter Two

    Kira
    "I just got into town," I say, relaxing back on the couch. "Do we really have to go out tonight?"
    Amber stands over me, her hands on her hips. "First of all, you didn't just get into town. You've been in Chicago for a week. And every night you have an excuse for why you can't go out. Now it's Saturday, and we're not sitting at home on a Saturday night."
    "It's not we staying home, just me . You can still go out. I'd just rather stay here."
    She sits next to me. "What's your deal with going out? We used to go out all the time."
    "That was in high school. I'm not a big partier anymore."
    "This isn't a party. It's a bar. With music. We'll listen to the band, have a couple drinks, then come home." She touches my arm and talks to me in the same concerned tone my mom uses. "It'll be good for—" She stops herself and fakes a smile. "I mean, it'll be fun. You'll have fun. I know you will. Now come on. Let's go get ready."
    "If I'm going, I'm wearing this. I'm not changing."
    "Jeans and a t-shirt? That's not going out clothes. Let's go to my room. You can wear something of mine."
    "Amber, really, I don't want to get all dressed up. If I'm going, I'm going to hear the music, not find a guy, so it doesn't matter what I wear."
    She smiles. "You never know. You might find a guy."
    I sigh. "For the last time, I don't want a guy. I need to stay focused." I see that look on her face. The one that says I need to accept that it's over and move on. She's given me that look every day since I got here and I can't take it anymore. So I'm just going to say what she wants to hear. "On school. I need to stay focused on school."
    "School doesn't start for a week, which means you have a whole week to date someone."
    "Yeah, a week-long relationship. That'll be great."
    "Actually, it could be. Sometimes you connect with someone right away. You don't always need that long to—" She stops when her phone dings. "Shit. Matt's downstairs. I have to finish getting ready. Can you let him in?"
    "And there's another reason why I shouldn't be going out with you tonight. I'll be a third wheel on your date."
    "Matt doesn't care. In fact, when I told him you were coming along, he thought it was a good idea." She runs off. "When he gets here, tell him I'll only be a few minutes."
    "More like a half hour," I yell