“You just haven’t found the perfect book yet, but don’t worry. We’ll find one for you.”
The night is filled with her telling me about her mom and all the issues that come with her. I confide in her about the troubles I went through growing up, and how I turned inward and started relying on books.
To the core, we’re a lot alike. Two people who are fighting against what society is trying to force on them, and doing what they can to make it out with their happiness still in check.
When my roommate comes in, I offer to walk Danielle to her dorm, but she politely declines. So with a hug goodbye, she leaves.
And for the first time, I have a friend.
12
ADAM
My class today let out early, so thank fuck I’m able to miss a majority of the people crowding the sidewalks like they usually do. The trees sway under the light summer breeze, a reprieve from the stuffy classroom I was in. There’s nothing I hate more than a teacher who can’t teach. Sitting in front of a whiteboard and reading word for word out of the textbook should not be considered teaching.
My mind was distant, though, and I know I’m going to have to spend my time this weekend going back over the lecture because I didn’t pay attention to a word that came out of my professor’s mouth.
And it’s all his fault.
Hunter Collins.
Who I can’t get out of my mind, no matter how hard I try to push the thoughts of him away. I haven’t been back to the café, at the risk of seeing him again. I’ve avoided hanging out with Brittany and Zoey just in case they want to invite him somewhere.
I can feel the thread of my control fraying, the chord I’ve kept neatly braided and tucked away for no one to take advantage of. It’s all because of him.
Brown eyes and brown hair, which a majority of the population has. It shouldn’t be fucking with my head like it is.
I want to avoid him, to keep my distance, and hopefully the disgusting feelings I have for him will disappear.
But then I think of his smile, how his teeth were perfectly white and straight against his pillowy pink lips, and I wonder how they would feel against mine.
And then I’m right back to the place I started.
I’ve tried to make plans with Danielle to distract myself, but she keeps coming up with excuses for why she can’t come over. I’ve isolated myself, and I’m feeling the effects, and it’s only been a week. One week since I watched the sweet, shy smile fade off Hunter’s face.
Fuck it. I don’t care. I don’t.
Pulling out my phone, I text the group chat.
Adam:Pizza at my place? Out of class early.
Brittany:Sure, I’ll be there. I have to drop my stuff off at my dorm first.
Zoey:Me too
Danielle:Can’t, I’m packing.
Packing? For what? I furrow my eyebrows in thought, staring down at my phone while I walk to my dorm. I wasn’t aware she had plans this weekend, and she normally tells me when she’s going home. Normally because she needs a buffer between her and her mom.
Privately, I text her.
Adam:Where are you going?
Oh my god, I sound like a possessive asshole boyfriend. I start to type out another message to be nicer, when the bubbles pop up alerting me of her forming a message.
Danielle:I made a friend, and we’re going to his house for his birthday this weekend.
Alarm bells ring in my head, because I refuse to let her go to some stranger’s house. I don’t care if it's a guy or a girl, she knows better than that.
