It’s been over a week since that night at King’s Wolf, and I’ve barely seen Stevie. The gang has asked me a couple of questions about her, and they also included comments on how much they liked her, which doesn’t surprise me. I never once mentioned her neurological condition or running into her asshat of an ex while they questioned me. Of course, Jake probably knows about her epilepsy, but Jake, being Jake, hasn’t brought it up.
There have been at least four instances this week where I almost knocked on Stevie’s door and decided against it. We haven’t had anotherGilmore Girlsnight; in fact, she hasn’t beenoutside of her room except when she leaves for class or comes back. I’ve run into her on bathroom runs, but even then, she gives me a quick “hi” and runs back to her cave. I might’ve grown up with two women, but neither of them was twenty-one and in college, so I’m not sure how to handle this without making it weird or fucking up our roommate situation. I thought we’d left everything on good terms, which is why I need advice from the second most private person in our group, who also happens to be a woman.
I make my way toward Em, who is standing alone by the mini fridge.
“Em, I need some advice,” I whisper.
It’s as if I asked a dog if they wanted a treat. She immediately straightens and steps closer to me, intrigue filling her eyes.
“Who about?” she whispers back.
I look around the room, and Jake and Kami are flipping through movies and arguing about which to watch.
My eyes meet Em’s baby blues, and I harden my voice. “This stays between us.”
Her face softens, and she raises a hand. “Scout’s honor.”
Rolling my eyes, I summarize what happened last weekend, excluding certain details, and get to the point of Stevie avoiding me and the world outside her bedroom.
“Should I approach her, or leave it alone?”
She nods, and I can tell she’s trying to contain her excitement over all the new information I gave her. Emma lives off other people’s stories, but hates talking about her personal life. Although she’s surprisingly great at keeping secrets when asked.
“It sounds like you guys were bonding that first week.” She looks at the ceiling in contemplation.
I nod, agreeing with the statement.
“Of course, you don’t want to force her, and it’s not like you guys are super close.” She shrugs, still trying to come up withwhatever advice she’s conjuring. “Your concern is quite sweet considering you’re only roommates?—”
“Em, anything helpful would be nice. They’re going to call us over there any second now,” I interrupt, annoyed at her obvious statements.
She shakes her hand and rolls her eyes. “Fine, don’t get your panties in a bunch. I know there are certain things you aren’t telling me.”Spot on.“You don’t like her in any other way than a friend, from what I can tell.”Also true.“But you seem to have built some sort of connection with her in a short amount of time.”
“Stating what I already know,again.”
She puts on a serious face. “Talk to her like a normal person, Levi. Talk to the girl like you would one of us. Maybe not exactly like you would us, but voice your concern. Find the right time and don’t wait too long.”
Okay, that was somewhat helpful, I guess.
“The worst thing she can do is blow you off, and you’re simply polite roommates as you have been. Would that really be so bad?” She shrugs.
I think for a moment, and even though it’s only been two weeks since Stevie moved in, it would be weird not speaking to her as a friend anymore, especially with everything I already know about her. But Em’s right. Ultimately, it’s her choice.
“I’ll try to talk to her then. Thanks, Em.”
She pats me on the shoulder. “Good.” Suddenly, a bottle of vodka and beer are in my face. “Which one do you want? Jake brought both in case we felt like getting a little crazy. Don’t worry, we have plenty of chasers.”
Seeing a five-foot woman with a family who comes from old money, in a white shirt and shorts, and a messy bun holding two bottles of alcohol in front of me, while offering them withan innocent-looking face, is something I should be used to, but never will be.
Before I can answer that I want a soda, Jake speaks up. “Horror or mystery?”
Kami looks at me over Jake’s shoulder and keeps mouthing something, but I can’t understand shit of what she’s saying.
“Horror, I guess?” I say unsurely.
“Goddammit,” Kami thunders.
Em shrugs. “I’m feeling horror too.”
