Colson:He’d understand.
Violet:Go away.
Colson:Never.
With my cheekpressed into the pillow, it’s like someone is stepping on my back, holding me down. I have this feeling, this uncertainty, thisknowingthat I’m in the eye of the storm. Itfollows me through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It climbs in bed with me at night, squeezing between Olive and me.
I grab my phone off the nightstand and check the time. It’s a little after eight but not obnoxiously early for me. Olive snores from her side of my bed. Even though I’ve told her she can take the couch, she has claimed my room as her spot more often than not.
We were up past midnight watching movies and eating trash food. Sylvia walked in while we were in the middle ofHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysto a coffee table of junk food wrappers and crumbs. She scoffed at us before moving to the privacy of her bedroom. Ever since she walked out of the apartment with that cup of vodka, it’s like walking on eggshells when she’s around. Not to mention how there was another letter from Ireland waiting for her the other day on the kitchen counter where we keep our mail.
My belly gurgles for breakfast, but I push it away and unlock my phone, swiping until I find my message thread with Colson. The last message I sent was on Christmas. I swipe my thumb over the screen until I’m on a thread from a few days after we returned to our normal schedules after Thanksgiving break.
Colson:Llewellyn has me on laundry duty, and fuck, it’s horrible. These dudes smell like ass.
Colson:I have this weird theory that if I close my eyes when I toss it into the washer, it won’t stink as much, but nope, it only magnifies the odor.
Violet:Funny how we do those things thinking it’ll make it better.
Colson:It is. Not funny how horrid it is, but yeah.
Violet:I bet.
Colson:Okay.
Colson: I’m getting the sense that something is up.
Violet:Thought all your senses were tied up with smelly towels?
Colson:Touché, but my Violet senses are always up and running.
Violet:Oh yeah?
Colson:Definitely. So, what’s up?
Violet:Why would anything be up?
Colson:Where are you?
Violet:Campus gym, but why does that matter?
Colson:Because it tells me everything I need to know. What has crawled into that beautiful mind and is bothering you?
Violet:The fact that my ass isn’t round enough.
Colson:Yeah, we both know that’s bullshit. Your ass is marvelous. Top notch in all the best ways. So give it to me straight, before I have to leave work and spank that ass for not telling me what’s really going on.
Violet:You’d do that? For me?
Colson:Baby, it’d be more for me than anyone. Just thinking about it…
Violet:Interesting.
Colson:Don’t make me ask again.
Violet:Nothing, really. I’m fine. Just an off day.
Colson:I don’t believe you.
