“If you find your phone, you can reach me at this number. Hopefully, the next time we have work to do you’ll be more interested in working.”
With that said, I walked out of the class. I was overwhelmed and decided it would be best to go to my favorite spot to unwind for a bit.
4.
I don’t know how many other people knew about it, but I really like this spot. It was quiet and secluded, and I had never seen anyone come up here before.
I was on top of the tallest school building, and it overlooked the courtyard from just enough of a distance that I could make out Hollis poking around and looking desperately for his phone.
It took me a while to regain my composure after he bumped into another classmate and knocking her paperwork all over the grounds.
Granted, I think he ended up getting her number written on his arm before she gathered up her things and walked away. He really was the worst kind of man, but he was still a man.
I did feel a little bit of pride when I realized that I’d get the chance to be his partner and nobody else would. Thinking about it made my heart sink, as I knew there was no way he’d pass this assignment.
I still felt myself sigh a little thinking about all the other women he had been with. I started to think less about the girls on his list and started to think more about the girls that weren’t. Thankfully I was securely in the ‘not’ list, but a part of me wished that I could meet an attractive man, like Hollis, that also had the brain to match.
Hollis found his phone under a bush nearby. I did feel a little bad about throwing the thing out the window. I have been known to have some anger issues in the past.
Then my phone started ringing.
“Hello,” I said.
“So this really is your phone number; I had a feeling that you were just playing a prank on me.”
It was Hollis calling me.
“I see you finally found your phone.”
“I did.”
“So, back to planning your party,” I asked.
“Actually, I had something better in mind. How about the two of us call a truce?”
“A truce? I didn’t know we were at war,” I said.
“I have a feeling this isn’t a war I’ll win; so I’m hoping that we can reach an understanding before it gets any worse.”
I couldn’t help but feel prideful, and a sense of power washed over me.
“Alright, I won’t bother you anymore outside of class, and you will actually try to study?”
“You’d kill me if you got a bad grade; I have no choice.”
I laughed. “You got that right.”
“So, you’ll come by, and we can study at my frat house tonight?”
I almost blurted out a laugh. No studying ever got done at a frat house.
“Why don’t we go to the library? It’s quieter, and we can get more done.”
I saw him pacing around the field as he talked. He looked a bit nervous even from this distance.
“The truth is, Christine, that I really don’t feel comfortable studying anywhere outside my room.”
I continued to push.
“Yeah, studying female anatomy.”
“Okay, that’s a fair hit. But, I still would prefer to study at home.”
I sighed. He seemed unrelenting in his efforts to get me to come over.
“Fine,” I said, “but, if you try to make a pass at me then I’m going to be very upset, and you can study on your own.”
“Deal,” he said.
I nearly hung up my phone, but it looked like he wasn’t done yet.
“One more thing,” he added, “I think some people are coming over for a party tonight. They might be loud, but it shouldn’t be too much a distraction.”
“Fine,” I sighed, “I will just bring earplugs.”
I hung up my phone. I had no interest in going to a party tonight, but if it meant that I could get some studying done with this horrid situation looming over my head, then I might as well try.
I was surprised when he urged me to come over. For an outgoing man, he really didn’t seem that interested in trying new things. I’m sure he had his reasons for avoiding the library, but I made no point to pry.
I was stuck going to a party by proxy, and I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. I hadn’t been to a college party yet, but I had walked by a few. They were always drunken affairs, broken up by campus police before they got too far out of hand.
Perhaps this party wouldn’t be so uproarious; then again perhaps I’m kidding myself. Even so, I thought it might be nice to look the part.
I stayed on the rooftop, waiting for the sun to set over the buildings. Today was far from over.
5.
The frat house was an old brick building with roman letters pinned to the balcony of the second story. The building sat close to the roadside, leaving little room for a yard. Even so, a couple guys were throwing a ball back and forth. Despite the chill night air, they were still shirtless.