Hailey Goes to College (Hailey Hildebrand Book 1), page 1
Hailey Goes to College
Copyright© 2024 by Sadie Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products, brands, and/or restaurants referenced in the work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Note from the Author
Preview of Love, Interrupted
Also by Sadie Rose
About the Author
To my mother who I inherited my love of reading from.
I step off the plane and take a deep breath, the crisp fall Chicago air feels like a world away from the dry heat of my hometown—Phoenix, Arizona. Adjusting the strap of my carry-on bag, I make my way to baggage claim, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. Chicago will be my home for the next four years. Granted, I’ll be going back to my parents’ house for the holidays, but this is my new home away from home: The Windy City. College is my new beginning, and I am ready for whatever it has in store for me.
Once I collect my luggage, I order a ride share and wait for my driver to pull up to the curb. Luckily, I don’t have to wait long before we’re confirming each other’s identity and I’m hopping into the car. If he’s annoyed about the number of bags I have and their heaviness he doesn’t complain as he helps me load them into his Prius. As I sit in the passenger seat, I can’t help but smile as I take in the scenery outside of my window—what I’ll be seeing for the next four years. As the cab weaves through the bustling streets of Chicago, I stare out the window, marveling at the towering skyscrapers and the energy of the city. I can already tell that life here will be different, more vibrant and full of possibilities than Arizona ever could have been.
The car pulls up in front of a large, ivy-covered building with a sign that reads “Hamilton Hall.” My stomach flutters with nerves as I step out and gaze up at the imposing structure. This is it—college. Grabbing my suitcases, I thank the driver and maneuver my way inside, juggling the four suitcases and my backpack all while my eyes go wide taking it all in. When I came here a year ago for the weekend tour, we saw all of the dorms except this one, so of course it was the one I was assigned. I’ve looked up photos of it online and done my research but being here in person and finally seeing it all is different… it feels different. Good different.
The lobby of Hamilton Hall is in a state of controlled chaos. Students and their families move about, unloading boxes and talking animatedly with staff. I spot a desk with a sign overhead that reads Check-In and head over.
“Hi, I’m Hailey Hildebrand. I’m here to check into my dorm room,” I say, smiling at the friendly-looking girl behind the desk.
“Welcome to Hamilton Hall, Hailey!” she replies. She takes a moment to look at her clipboard before handing me a key and a welcome packet. “You’re in room 412 with Kelsey Wills. I don’t show Kelsey having checked in yet but I assure you she has completed all the paperwork and is your assigned roommate.” She barely takes a breath before she gives me more information. “There’s two ways to get to your dorm. Either you can take the stairs through that door over there-” she gestures to our right, pointing to a large steel door that’s been pushed open—“or you can take the elevator-” gesturing to the left. “Need any help with your bags?”
She looks down at my luggage and then back to me expectantly. I shake my head no. “I think I’ve got it, thanks. But do you know about the boxes that I had shipped here? I was told they would be brought from storage to my room.” This is something I’ve been low-key worried about all summer long. My mother and I went shopping for my dorm and then boxed everything up and had it shipped here so it would be ready when I arrived. I read tons of reviews online and people were very hit or miss on the process of letting the university store their stuff for the summer.
She consults her clipboard again, two little lines of concentration appearing between her eyebrows. While unbeknownst to her I’m holding my breath waiting for her reply.
“Oh yes, I see it here. The boxes are waiting for you in your room. I see six marked here. Is that correct?”
Letting out a sigh of relief I nod. “Yes. That’s right. Thank you so much!”
With my key in hand, I make my way to the elevator, struggling slightly with my heavy suitcases. When the elevator dings, I maneuver my way in with all my luggage. A moment later, I reach my floor and quickly find my room, and unlock the door, stepping into the small but cozy space. There are two beds, two desks, and a pair of dressers, all waiting to be filled with mine and Kelsey’s belongings. I set my bags down while taking a look at the boxes that were shipped earlier and take a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. I’m really here. Now get unpack all of my possessions that surround me in boxes.
After a few hours of unpacking and arranging my side of the room, I decide I’m in need of a break. I grab my phone and text Kelsey, my roommate and best friend. We’ve been friends since the third grade and to be able to come to college and live together makes it even better. I shoot off a quick text to her: I’m here! Can’t wait for you to arrive tomorrow! I wait a few seconds but when I don’t see the little typing bubbles, I pocket my phone.
I’ve finished unpacking my boxes but I still have my suitcases. They’ve also delivered Kelsey’s boxes, and being the best friend that I am, I might even try to hang up some of her clothing and wash her bedding. But that’ll require way more energy on my part. If I’m going to do that, I need fuel.
Feeling a bit hungry, I decide to explore the campus and maybe grab a bite to eat. It’ll give me the opportunity to explore the area and get me out of my dorm before I work on the rest of my boxes. I grab my keys and head out, my mind continuing to run with thoughts of classes, meeting new friends, and the adventures that await me. I’m equal parts scared and excited and very thankful that I’ll have my best friend with me.
As I walk down the hall, I turn a corner too quickly and collide with something—or rather, someone. My phone goes flying, and I nearly lose my balance. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” I exclaim as I bend down to gather my things.
“No, it’s my fault,” a voice, warm and deep, tinged with amusement answers. “I should have been watching where I was going.”
I look up and met the eyes of a tall, handsome guy with tousled brown hair and a crooked smile. I close my mouth, which I realize has been slightly agape. He bends down to help me pick up my things, and our hands brush as we both grab my phone, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
“I’m Ryan,” he says, handing me my phone.
“Hailey,” I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Sorry to have bumped into you like that.” We both stand and I realize he’s tall, almost a foot taller than me.
When he speaks again, I lock onto his chocolate brown eyes. I notice they have little streaks of black fanning through the iris. He shrugs. “It’s fine. It was my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He looks me up and down. “Freshman?”
“How’d you know?”
“Lucky guess. Sophomore. You on this floor?”
“Yep!”
He gives me a grin. “Looks like we’re neighbors. Welcome to Hamilton.”
I feel my nerves start to ease. While he talks, I get to take in more of his appearance. He’s dressed in dark jeans that look expensive and has on a fitted navy t-shirt. He’s got a nice tan and I don’t know if it’s his normal skin tone or from the summer, but it makes his skin have a bronze glow. I realize I’ve been standing here too long without speaking and stutter out, “I should get going. Lots of unpacking.”
“Same. Guess I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah, maybe,” I reply with a shy smile.
As I walk away, I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement. This school was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I decide to head to the campus café for a quick snack and to relax for a bit. I wanted to go further but as I walked I realized the early morning wakeup and unpacking made me more tired than I originally thought. The café is filled with students catching up, grabbing their caffeine fixes and greasy foods. I order an iced latte and a giant blueberry muffin from the display case and find a s
I settle into my seat and pull out my phone to text Kelsey again. Hey, made it to the campus café. The campus is so busy! Can’t wait for you to get here!
With a cold latte in hand, I begin to people-watch, taking in the diverse mix of students. Some hunched over laptops, typing furiously, while others sit and chat with friends. I spot a flyer in the middle of the table about a student club fair happening tomorrow on campus. Intrigued, I make a mental note to check it out. It seems like a perfect way to dive into campus life—to fully submerse myself.
As I sip my latte, I let my mind wander. I think about the classes I’ll be taking, the new people I’ll meet, and the experiences I’ll share with Kelsey. A surge of excitement and a touch of nervousness washes over me. This is a new chapter, a fresh start. My parents, God love them, but they never gave me any freedom of choice. My days were fully mapped out for me. What I’d eat, what activities I could be involved in, what outfits I could wear. But not here, not now. Now I have choices—freedom. I eye the flyer on the table one more time.
I’m lost in thought when I hear a loud crash nearby. Startled, I turn to see a guy already kneeling on the floor, surrounded by the remnants of what looks like his meal. He’s muttering something under his breath, clearly frustrated with himself.
Feeling a wave of sympathy, I get up and walk over to help. As I bend down to pick up a spilled cup, I finally recognize him. It’s Ryan, the guy I collided with just a half hour ago.
“A bit of a klutz?” I say, bending down to help.
“I would say I’m simply oblivious to my surroundings,” he retorts as he grabs some napkins to sop up the mess. “But I must say I don’t make a habit of slamming into pretty girls.”
“So just me then?” I bite my lip. “Well, you didn’t bump into me this time. Your nemesis seems to be a pillar.” This is the most I’ve flirted in a long time, and the sideways grin he rewards me with causes butterflies to go wild in my stomach.
“I feel like I should buy you a coffee or something,” he confesses as we stand up. I hesitate for a moment, then nod. “Sure, why not?” The one I was drinking was pretty much done anyway.
We order our coffees and I lead him back to the table by the window. As we settle in, Ryan looks at me curiously.
“So, where are you from, Hailey?” he asks, sipping his drink.
“Phoenix,” I reply. “The land of endless sunshine and cacti. How about you?”
“Right here. Well, upstate really,” he says with a hint of pride. “Grew up on a farm, actually. It’s quite a change from the rural life to this big city.”
I smile, intrigued. “A farm? That’s so interesting. What kind of farm? Did you have cows?”
“We had a bit of everything—corn, soybeans, a few cows, chickens. It was a lot of hard work, but I loved it,” he explains, his eyes lighting up as he speaks about his home.
“That sounds amazing. I’ve always lived in the city, so that’s like a totally different world to me,” I say.
“Yeah, it was a great place to grow up. But I wanted something different for college, so here I am,” he says with a grin.
“So, what are you studying?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Business major. Pretend I’ve said something witty when in reality it’s really cliché and I’m going to end up helping the farm.”
“Well, I think that’s great. I don’t have a major yet. Exploring my options is what I told my parents.”
“Smart.”
We talk for what feels like hours, sharing stories about our high school experiences, his first year of college last year, and our families. The more we talk, the more I feel at ease around him. He has a way of making me feel comfortable and understood.
By the time we finish our coffee, I realize that this chance encounter might just be the beginning of something special. And as Ryan walks me back to my dorm, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement for the adventures to come.
The next morning, I wake up early, excitement from the previous day still buzzing in my veins. Kelsey arrives today, and I can’t wait to show her everything I have already discovered. I check my phone and see a slew of text messages from her updating me on the progress of her getting into town. While I flew here, Kelsey chose to drive and bring her car. She wanted an adventure even before getting here but long car rides make me sick so hard pass. When I get to her last text I see she’s only about thirty minutes away. I jump out of bed and quickly get ready then head downstairs to wait for her.
As I stand outside Hamilton Hall, I spot her familiar car pulling up. Kelsey’s face lights up when she sees me, and she jumps out of the car, rushing over to give me a big hug. “Hailey!” she exclaims, squeezing me tightly. “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too, Kels!” I reply, hugging her back just as tightly. “Welcome to Chicago!”
We spend the next hour hauling her luggage up to our dorm room and catching up on all the things we hadn’t been able to cover over the phone. Kelsey is just as enthusiastic as I am about this new adventure, and her excitement is contagious.
“I want to hear all about the drive out! I can’t believe you did it all by yourself.”
“Well you know I’m an independent woman and all that. Plus being trapped with my mom for that long would drive me crazy. Did you know all the other states have so many trees? What a concept! Anyway, how about you? Did you go out last night?”
I blow a raspberry. “Yeah, right. The only time I left the room was to eat. Actually,” I mock whisper, “I literally bumped into a guy in the hall, then again at the café and ended up hanging out with him.”
“Oh, that sounds fun. Is he single?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.” She rolls her eyes. “But he also never mentioned dating anyone!”
She barks out a laugh. “Oh Hailey, you’re so cute. Look at you blush. He must be good looking.”
I wave her off and stay quiet. She turns on her Spotify shuffle and we finish unpacking her things. Once we have everything settled, we decide to explore the campus together. I want to show her the café where I’d met with Ryan and the spots I’d discovered during my brief exploration the day before.
As we walk across the campus, Kelsey and I are in awe of the fall weather here in Chicago. Growing up in Phoenix it’s hot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a dry climate with little humidity but it’s hard to enjoy the sunshine and be outside walking around when it’s a hundred and ten degrees. Right now, if we were home we’d be out in the pool, but here there’s a crispness to the air as we can walk around and enjoy the scenery. It’s a nice change of pace.
We keep walking without any real destination before we stumble upon the student club fair I had read about on the flyer yesterday. Booths line the quad, each one showcasing a different club or organization. The air is filled with the sounds of students chatting, music playing, and the occasional cheer from a particularly enthusiastic club member. It reminds me of something I’ve seen in movies it’s so picturesque.
“Look at all this!” Kelsey says, her eyes wide with excitement. “There’s so much to do!”
“I see that.” I loop my arm through hers. “Let’s see if there’s anything worth joining.”
We wander through the fair, stopping when something catches our eye. There are clubs for everything—from hiking and photography to debate and cooking. Kelsey eagerly signs up for the yoga club, while I put my name down for the creative writing group. While my major is still undecided, I love everything to do with literature, whether it’s reading or writing.
As we make our way to the end of the row, we come across a booth for a business club called Blue Chips. Standing behind the table, handing out flyers, is none other than Ryan. We catch each other’s eye and I instinctively get a huge grin on my face when he starts waving me over. “Hey, Hailey!” he calls out.
“Hey, Ryan!” I reply, walking over with Kelsey. “This is my best friend, Kelsey. Kelsey, this is Ryan. We met yesterday.” For a second, I worry about what Kelsey might say, but thankfully she just smiles and gives him a little wave.
“Nice to meet you, Kelsey,” Ryan says.
“You too,” Kelsey replies. “Hailey told me she bumped into you—literally.”
