By the time I found a parking space near the College of Arts and Sciences I had ten minutes until class would commence. I scrambled out of Elle's car and jogged towards the building. As I climbed the steps to the entrance, my foot caught on the last step and I found myself pummeling face first into cement.
It was completely absurd but the only thing that I cared about in that moment was saving my coffee. I twisted my body so that I would fall on my side, and threw my arm up, holding the coffee high above my head in protection. A stab of pain went through me when my body hit the steps but it wasn't long lasting. I did a mental fist pump for saving my coffee when my day continued to get worse. As I brought my hand down I squeezed the cup too hard, and the lid popped off. As the entire large iced coffee spilled onto the front of my body I suppressed a sob and stopped myself from sticking my tongue out to catch the liquid in my mouth as it rained down on me.
I cursed, not caring who heard me, and waved sarcastically at the few students who walked past giving me questioning glances. Thanks for the help, everyone! People suck.
My t-shirt was drenched in coffee and of course, it was white. To make matters worse, the only clean bra I could find was hot pink so that was on full display through my wet t-shirt. My yoga pants were mostly dry but my face was also dripping with coffee. I took my already soaked shirt and wiped my face, somewhat glad that I hadn't worn make up.
I checked the time on my phone and I had only one minute to make it to class so I sucked it up and went inside. As I reached my classroom door I was confused to see that no one was inside and the lights were shut off. I groaned, checking my email through my phone and of course, class had been cancelled. The one time I don't check my email when I wake up, and this happens.
I stomped down the hall and made it back outside, weaving my way through the quad to the student center. I slipped on my sunglasses hoping it would disguise my identity considering all of the looks I was getting. I couldn't blame anyone, though. I looked like I had just come from a wet t-shirt contest.
The university bookstore was right inside of the student center so I went in and bought a black t-shirt with the university logo on the front. It was a waste of thirty bucks but I didn't have enough time to go home and change before my nine-o'clock class. I could always save the tags and give it to my mother for Christmas, anyways. I went into the ladies room and tossed my soaked t-shirt into the trash and pulled on my new one.
Monday's weren't too terrible for me since I had made my schedule so that I only had three classes today and they were all consecutive. After my ten-o'clock class I could head home and do laundry and hopefully take a long nap.
I headed over to the Starbucks inside of the student center and was grateful that the line wasn't as long as usual. After a few minutes I placed my order and added cream and sugar, making my way over to an empty corner table in the back of the room. I pulled out my political science textbook and started to reread the chapter that we'd be discussing today on Karl Marx. After a few minutes the coffee started to kick in and I could manage to go more than thirty seconds without yawning.
I heard the scrape of the other chair at my table and looked up to see Emmy of all people taking a seat across from me. She didn't have her normal scowl but she also wasn't smiling. She had her hair styled in what I assumed to be natural curls, a white cardigan over a yellow sundress.
"You know, I'm really not having the best of days, Emmy. So whatever you want, save it." I told her, and returned my focus to my textbook.
"I know what happened last year." I tensed but didn't look up from my textbook when she spoke. He words were surprisingly gentle, "with your ex boyfriend."
I finally looked up and met her gaze, leveling her with a harsh glare, "Great, Emmy, now run along and tell everyone." I flicked my hand in the direction of the door.
Emmy's natural scowl returned but it wasn't quite as malicious as normal, "I know you think I'm a huge bitch, okay? And I guess I kind of am. But I just wanted to tell you that I wasn't going to say anything, and that I was sorry."
"Oh, please. I'm not an idiot, Emmy." I spit out, slamming my textbook shut and returning her stare.
"Listen, Brookelyn," she uttered, "I don't say I'm sorry. Ever. But I'm saying it to you."
"I feel honored," I said, sarcastically bringing my hands to rest over my heart.
"I know you have no reason to trust me, but I really won't say a word." All signs of hatred and malice vanished from her features so I retracted my claws as well.
"Why would I believe you?" I asked her.
Emmy was silent for a minute and I sighed, exasperated.
"Look, no one knows this. Not even Gabe, and we were together for two years," she started, her gaze unwavering as she stared at me with pleading eyes. "I wont tell anyone because I understand. I spent most of my life watching my father beat on my mother."
She looked away and there was something about her posture, and the way that she spoke that told me she was being honest. I didn't like her, and she didn't like me, but she told me something that she didn't want anyone to know to prove to me that she'd keep my secret. And I couldn't help but sympathize with her, despite everything I knew of her.
"Okay," I said quietly. I could see the relief in her eyes and I knew that it was because I didn't pity her. Emmy wasn't the kind of girl who liked to be pitied. Feared? Yes. Pitied? No, never.
Emmy nodded and stood from the table, and I could see her straighten her back and hold her head up high, erasing any sadness and grief I had witnessed just moments earlier. She turned to walk away but looked back at me, remembering something.
"Oh," she said, her voice sincere, "if you're worried about Wes, don't be. He's a great guy. He'd never hurt you."
I was stunned by her admittance. The girl who had threatened me to stay away from Wes was now nudging me in his direction.
I sighed, and made my way to my next class, my mind flooded with thoughts of Wes.
FIFTEEN
I managed to do all of my laundry and even take a two-hour nap after finishing my classes for the day. I hadn't heard from Wes at all and I was starting to worry that he was moving on, not wanting to put up with my problems. I told him I was afraid of men. What guy wouldn't run?
"Hey, lady!" Savanna popped her head inside of my bedroom door, "Elle's with Colin. Want to go to the burger place down the street, just you and me?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'm starved." I told her, putting aside my note cards.
"Yay!" she clapped her hands like a small child, "Let's leave in ten!"
Before I could respond, Savanna walked back to her room.
I was still wearing my yoga pants and the t-shirt I had bought earlier but decided to just leave it on. We were going to a burger joint, no need to look fancy. I did, however, let my hair down from the messy bun I still had it in and coat on some mascara. I didn't need to look fancy, but I didn't need to look homely, either.
As we hopped into Savanna's car I smiled at my friend, "changing up your style, Sav?"
She looked at me sideways as she pulled onto the main street, "we're hitting up a burger place, B. Not the academy awards."
"Like that's ever stopped you before," I laughed.
Savanna was wearing a pair of skinny jeans but instead of heels she was wearing purple low top converse sneakers and a superman t-shirt. She had her pale blonde hair down, and her usual make up in place, but the casualness of her outfit was unusual. Although she looked different, the laidback nature of her clothing suited her.
Savanna pulled into the closest parking space she could find, which happened to be handicap, and shut off the engine. I grabbed her arm before she got out of the car.
"Savanna, you can't park here. It's handicap." I told her.
"Brookelyn, no old person is going to be coming here." Savanna rolled her eyes and got out of the car. I shook my head but followed after her inside the diner.
I had never been here before but I knew it was supposed to be the best place near campus to grab a burger. Their huge portion sizes made it especially popular for guys, and athletes.
The diner was self -seating so we found an unoccupied booth and slid into it. We gossiped for a few minutes before our waitress came over and took our drink orders. Savanna got a strawberry milkshake and I got a vanilla, promising myself I'd hit the gym tomorrow after classes.