But how can I sleep?
And how the hell am I going to fix this mess I’ve made?
***
A few hours later, I’ve watched three Harry Potter movies, fallen in and out of a fretful sleep, and taken a shower. Suddenly, I have a realization about what I need to do.
When a game isn’t going well for me and I’m playing badly, I take a moment on the sidelines to figure out a way to change course.
This is no different.
I made some bad plays as far as Willow is concerned, but that doesn’t mean the game is over.
I make the call I should’ve made a long time ago and ask Kia to meet me at the school’s coffee shop. Talking to her is the first pillar of my new plan.
“Hi, Freak.”
“Hey.”
“So I take it you invited me here to talk about Willow?”
“Actually, I asked you here so that I could apologize. I don’t remember much about freshman year, because I was drunk for most of it, but that’s no excuse.”
She studies me in silence, so I keep talking.
“I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position with Willow. If I had any idea what our shared history was, I wouldn’t of done that. I’m not a monster. And just know that me not remembering who you were and what we did was not some sort of slight against you. I was just in a really low place and made some poor decisions.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why didn’t you say anything when I introduced myself to you in the dorm?”
“That day confirmed that you actually didn’t remember me. All this time, I thought you were purposely ignoring me. Blowing me off. I thought that maybe I had another chance with you. Willow liked Aaron, so why couldn’t I like you?”
“I have to ask you this, too, Kia. Did we sleep together?”
“No, it’s not like we were at a house party. We met at the Panther Center. I mean, I guess we could have found somewhere to do it, but that’s not the kind of girl I am. I’m not just going to have sex anywhere.”
“Right, okay, thank you.”
“Is there anything else you want to ask me?”
“This is awkward.”
“Not for me. Now that Willow knows the truth, I’m relieved.”
“Will it be a problem between you two when Willow and I get back together?”
Kia’s face becomes sullen.
“So you plan on working it out with her?”
“Yes.”
“Then I hope you two will be very happy. It won’t be a problem between us. We won’t be roommates next semester.”
