it.
“I’m not sure. But we’re roommates, and that means that someday, I might need you to cover for me, so I didn’t rat you out.”
“Oh. Thanks,” she says, her eyes red.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, it was just a long night. If I didn’t have an early class, I swear, I would just sleep all day. I’m going to see Deacon this weekend, so I’ll be leaving first thing Saturday morning. I’ll talk to Nolan and the people in admin today so you won’t have to lie for me again. I know we have our differences, but I want you to know how thankful I am for last night, Hazel. I really needed to talk to Audric.”
“It’s not a problem,” I say, dismissing her altogether.
We lapse into silence and I get ready for my first class of the day. I really want some coffee. Noting that it would be so much easier if I had my own coffeepot, I make a mental note to buy one this weekend, if I have time.
The day flies by, as it’s my busiest day for classes, four back to back. I hardly have any time to relax between them, and when I’m finished for the day, I go back to the dorm to start on the pile of work I’ve been assigned. Nothing like a full class load to keep me on my toes. I put my phone on vibrate and dive into my assignments.
* * * * *
Around midnight, I’m woken up by my phone buzzing against the hard wood of my desk. Of course, since my face is squished on my desk, I feel the vibrations, too. I sit up, yawn loudly, and pick up my phone.
Destiny is calling.
“Hello?” My voice is groggy and harsh. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I look to Cheyanne’s bed and see she’s missing again. She didn’t even bother to make a fake body in her place this time. I roll my eyes.
“Where the hell have you been?” Des screams in my ear so loudly I have to pull the phone away. “I’ve been texting you all night!”
“I silenced my phone so I could get some homework done. What’s up?”
“Oh, okay. So, huge news! Nolan asked me out!” she shrieks.
“That’s awesome, Des.” I yawn again. “When?”
“Well, that’s actually why I’m calling. It’s kind of a group date, with you and Roman, and the rest of our little group,” she explains.
“That’s not a date!” I blurt.
“Yes, it is,” she says, completely serious. I decide not to argue.
“So when is this date?” I ask, trying to hide my sarcasm.
“Tomorrow night, after the game. Roman’s first football game! I am excited, and he’s not even my boyfriend. But it’s going to be so much fun. You’re going to the game, right?” She talks so fast, it takes my brain a moment to catch up.
“Yeah, of course I’m going. Roman just hasn’t asked me yet,” I realize.
“He probably did. He told Nolan he’s been texting you all night.”
“Oh. Well let me get off the phone, then, so I can check. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll go to the game together, okay?”
I hang up before she replies; I’m anxious to see what Roman’s texts say. I open up the conversation and have to scroll up, he’s sent me so many messages.
I haven’t talked to you today. How are you?
Just talked to Nolan, might be a group date forming for Friday night. You free?
Are you ignoring me?
Is this about last night?
Will you answer me?!?!
The sight of those angry question marks and exclamation points tell me he’s anxious to hear from me. I type out a quick text to let him know I’m not angry.
Sorry…
Then I take the time to write a longer text that says how excited I am about the group date, and how much I want to see him play tomorrow night. He replies almost instantly.
Thank God. I thought you were pissed off at me.
I reply: Why would I be pissed?
Seriously? I told you last night that I wasn’t trying to get into your pants and within fifteen minutes of you coming to my room, we were naked. I thought you thought I betrayed your trust.
I cringe as I read it, and I feel his pain. I went through something similar after we had
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