“I’m on the way. Let me make a call, and I’ll be there in about thirty minutes, okay? Can Annie take you to class?”
“It was canceled. That’s why I need to handle the car while I’m off today. I’m sorry, DC. You can just give me a suggestion.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“Because it’s your birthday, and you probably had plans. Plus, I have no way to get ingredients for a pie.”
“I already told you I spend my time how I want. We’re playing at The Drip tonight, and I want you to sing with me, so don’t be sorry. Youarethe plan,” he says with a hint of innuendo. “We’ll talk about pie later, though, because that sounds important too. I’m calling my uncle now, then I’m on the way.”
“Thank you.” I sigh, my stress level still a couple of notches higher than I prefer.
“Lu?”
“Yeah?”
“Trust me. I got you.”
“I know you do. Be safe.”
Chapter 7
Fallen Angel
Ipull up my Poison playlist, because hair metal is the only thing that might salvage this day. Well, Poison and DC, of course. I’m ready to shake the mood and get back to the confidence I was feeling before Nathan called, so I’m exercising all my weird coping mechanisms.
He hung up on me, so he must need to focus on his baby mama situation for a bit. I’m going to enjoy the rest of my day and try not to think about him. This behavior might be classified as “avoidant” in my Psychology textbook, but it’s all I’ve got right now, so I’m going with it.
The opening riff of “Nothin’ but a Good Time” blasts, and I jump up and down a few times.
I feel better already.
Annie comes down the stairs and looks at me with atell me everythinglook on her face.
“Well? Are y’all finally hookin’ up or what?”
She grins like she knows something that I don’t.
“What? No! I mean, he’s on the way, but…”
“Woooooo, girl! Lock him down. It’s about dang time!” She’s cheering like this is a sport now.
“Oh. My. Word. Stop! He’s helping me get my car fixed. He said to trust him, so since Nathan seems busy with hisunfortunate circumstances, I’ve decided I will. Wait, what time is it? I thought you had a class. Why are you here?” I rush all my words together before I lose her to her own narrative again.
“I logged in online for a few minutes. Your life seems like a more educational case study than what we’re doing in class.”
Annie’s a psych major too, but her concentration is counseling, and I lean more toward the social and communication side of psych with a creative writing minor. I also take education courses with my electives. I’m honestly not sure what direction I’m going yet, so I’m covering all my bases.
Annie originally had a volleyball scholarship, but a broken arm and surgery set her back. She changed her major from exercise science to psychology, but she’s focusing more on general education courses first—because I told her to. It’ll save her from taking extra classes later if she changes her major again.
Sometimes I feel more than three years older based on life experience, but Annie’s pretty set on a career in counseling and I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I coach my siblings and younger friends about their educational paths all the time, even though I’ve been slow as molasses myself. I love psychology, but I’m not sure clinical counseling is for me.
Let me clarify—I don't think thecareer choiceis for me.
Despite our age difference, I’m not that far ahead of Annie. I’ve been careful not to overextend myself, and I try to help her and Sam with what I’ve learned. She’ll probably graduate before me since she’s more ambitious in her course load and her parents help with expenses.
I take fewer courses at a time so I can work more hours and still be a successful neurotic procrastinator perfectionist.
It’s a real thing. Look it up.
