“What do you think about this one?” Katelyn picks up a hat off the rack. “Definitely gives Will Turner vibes, right?”
I take it in my hand, dusting it off before fitting it on my head. “The large feather is giving more Shakespeare than pirate, I fear.” I point to the large purple feather poking out the side.
“He’s right. You need a head scarf instead,” Jamie says, swinging the plastic sword he found in the costume department.
We’re hanging out on stage in the campus theater since Jamie recently got cast in the lead role in this year’s campus play. We’ve spent all afternoon helping him rehearse his lines while I also take this perfect opportunity to put together my Halloween costume before this weekend.
“Okay, gimme that,” Katelyn says, snatching the hat back off my head and going back to rummaging through the costumes.
“You two coming with me?” I say, finding another sword and swinging it against Jamie’s. He laughs, counterattacking me and I fake a stab wound.
“No, Jamie’s staying with me here. We’re going to a party on campus.” Katelyn walks over to me with a purple scarf, wrapping it around my head.
“Oh, nowthat’sWill Turner.” Jamie wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“Got a thing for pirates, Jamie?” I chuckle, swinging my sword against his chest.
“Out of respect for your boyfriend, I’m going to keep a swords crossing joke to myself.” He doubles over in laughter.
My eyebrows raise as I rush over to him, striking him on the back. He winces, stumbling back like he’s actually in searing pain. Oh, he’s going to do just great in the play.
“Well, it sucks you two aren’t joining me. Tobias would’ve loved to see you.” I shrug.
Katelyn rolls her eyes, biting back what she really wants to say.
I arch an eyebrow. “What?”
She tilts her head, looking at me like I’m a wounded lamb. “Tobias doesn’t care as longyou’rethere. You two are so…” She squishes her hands together, rubbing her hands together exaggeratingly.
“Seriously? This ‘too close’ shit again?” I chuckle lightly. “He is my boyfriend.”
“I’msaying…be careful. Too much of one thing is not good.” She shrugs smugly, walking back to the costume room.
Okay, that’s it. I can’t hold myself back. I clench my jaw, following after her as she pushes clothes on a rack side to side. “You know, you’re always throwing little jabs at mine and Tobias’s relationship and it’s really starting to piss me off.”
She breathes out deeply, looking down at her feet before turning towards me. “Elijah…it’s just…” she bites her lower lip trying to find the right words. “I know how it feels to be wrapped up in you. And it’s…intense.You’ve got a knack for just dropping things all at once when it doesn’t suit you anymore.”
The truth knocks me back. She’s not worried about me…she’s worried aboutTobias.
“I’m not going to hurt him,” I say under my breath.
Her eyes drop from mine down to my feet and back up again.
I feel uncomfortable. Judged.
“Yeah…let’s hope you don’t. Because I saw the way he looks at you. That boy is in love.” She shakes her head.
“Yeah, I am too.” I bite.
She throws her hands up in fake surrender. “Ibelieve you.” She smiles. “But, it’s notmeyou have to prove it to.”
My eyes narrow as she walks away, back to Jamie.
It infuriates me that she doubts I’ll treat Tobias right.
I can be a good partner…
To the right person.
