Oswald:Yum. Do u have another class? Why don’t I have ur schedule?
Me:Yes, I have two classes this afternoon. I don’t have yours either.
Oswald:We can trade later. What time do u go back?
Me:One.
Oswald:Dang it, woman, I get out at one.
Me:I promise to save you some food.
Oswald:Food is good, but I would rather see you.
I actually gasp and let out a girly sigh when I read his message, then I rush to type out a response so he doesn’t know I was freaking out.
Me:Charmer.
Oswald:Only for u. Now stop distracting me, I’m in class.
There’s a grin on my lips the rest of the walk home.
Memphis
I knockon the door twice before walking over to her small garage and peeking in the window. Her car is inside, but she’s not answering the door. It’s twenty minutes after three, so she should be home by now. Maybe she’s in the bathroom.
Me:Where are you?
Unknown:Trying to get home. Will you call me please? I’m sorry, it will only take a second.
Her phone rings twice before she picks up. “…calling now. I really need to go. See you next week,” I hear her telling someone before she says, “Hello,” to me.
“Are you okay?” I’m already climbing back behind the wheel of my truck.
“I’m sorry, I’m okay. They just kept talking and talking,” Waylynn mumbles into the phone.
“Who? Where are you?”
“Someone from class. I’m headed through the south quad. Where are you?” I can tell she’s walking fast by her breathless tone.
“In your driveway. You didn’t drive today?”
“Oh, no. I really can’t. My friend is waiting for me,” she says, but she’s not talking to me.
“Are they fucking following you?” I slam the truck in reverse and pull out of her driveway with my phone pressed between my shoulder and ear.
“I have a boyfriend, but thank you,” she says loudly, but then in a small voice she makes a soft plea. “Memphis.”
“I’m coming, tell me where you are.”
“Um… It’s okay, just don’t hang up, please.”
“Waylynn.”
“On State Street, near Hutchins Hall. He’s going the other way. I’m okay, I’m okay,” she whispers through the phone, trying to convince herself just as much as she’s trying to convince me.
“Damn it, I hit the light.”
“It’s okay. He was just…being friendly, but he was…persistent.” Her breaths are short and fast.
