“She’d love to beat it. Just listening to her blabber on about her bodily regrets is making me insane. Why don’t you bend her over your desk and put her out of her misery already.”
“You bend her over your desk.” I fire back, not quantifying his diction with so much as a glance. “I’m over her. In fact, I’d go as far as saying I was never that into her compared to what I feel now.”
A shadow sweeps across the door, and I peer out to find a familiar red coat dashing down the stairs.
“On second thought, you don’t have to tell her,” I say. “Looks like she heard, firsthand.”
15
Kendall
Dinner Theater
The Student union café smells almost as heavenly as Starbucks, but misses the mark in both scent and coffee. It’s nothing short of a bad knockoff, a near miss, something that I once accused love of being. I wonder if all those marriages my mother sunk under like weights were nothing short of knockoffs for something pure she was trying to emulate—something special like what Cruise and I have. I wish I could gift that to her. Wrap up all of these wonderful feelings and ship them off to her with a shiny red bow. My mother deserves to have this. Everybody does.
I spot Lauren and Ally huddled near the window and head on over. A vagrant hand snatches me by the wrist, and I trace the red pea coat up to find Blair staring back at me.
“Boy, you left in a hurry the other day.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a stack of loose papers. “I got your stuff.”
“Thank you!” I take them from her. “My boyfriend had an emergency. His mom broke her leg.”
“So, you two are pretty close, huh?” She sours at the thought. Couples like Cruise and I probably make her want to vomit, especially after coming off such a miserable breakup.
“Very close.” I shrug almost apologetically. “He’s amazing. I never thought I could have something like this with someone like Cruise. He’s the nicest person on the planet.” I can’t seem to control my urge to gush.
“I don’t know.” She shakes her head. “Don’t you think you’re too young to settle? And guys like, Cruise, did you say? When you’re that good-looking, you’re always getting hit on. They say ‘pretty boys’ are ninety percent more likely to cheat than some average Joe.” Cal walks by outside, and she points a finger in his direction. “Now take that guy for instance. He would make much better boyfriend material in the long run.”
“That’s not what his girlfriend says.” I’m quick to correct. “Anyway, I’d better go. Hey! It’s your special day,” I tease. “You ready for the big reveal?” Blair is scheduled to collect two hundred bones after class today and most likely just as many boners while conducting the semi-indecent exposure. Blair is pretty. I’m sure any of the guys in art class, or Garrison in general, would love to get to know her better. But she’s totally been burned, so I doubt they have a chance. Wounds like that need serious time to heal. When you hurt that deep, you’re probably still emotionally clinging to the person that hurt you. It’s that whole power exchange thing Cheryl hit on in class. Someone still very much holds all of Blair’s power, and she needs to take it back before she could ever hope to move on with her life.
“The big reveal?” Her forehead wrinkles. “Oh, I’ve changed my mind.” Blair slits me with a look that could cut my throat. “Unlike some people, I’d rather keep my dignity intact.” She walks out the door with the verbal snipe still fresh on her lips.
Really? Some people.
I go over and take a seat next to Lauren and Ally.
“Morning!” I sing.
Lauren’s face is bloated and patchy as if she’s been up crying all night.
“Everything okay?” Everything is not okay, but I’m pretty sure, who the hell shit on you isn’t the best way to start a conversation.
“Lauren unearthed some serious incriminating evidence,” Ally whispers, speaking in code. “Lace panties tucked in the couch.” She makes a face. “That’s the calling card of every tramp who wants to get discovered.”
“Cal?” My mouth falls open as I gape at Lauren.
“Bright red, crotchless,” she whimpers. “I found the matching bra under his bed.”
“Sounds like a progressive dinner was enjoyed by all,” Ally snipes.
“I’m so sorry.” I reach over and lay my hand over hers. I genuinely feel bad for Lauren. And, if it were the old me, I might have given her a spiel on how love doesn’t exist, but I don’t buy that anymore. A very real part of me wants to give her hope. “You’ll find someone else. There’s someone special out there just for you. Believe me, the last thing you want is someone who strays.” I hate cheaters. This is the exact kind of bullshit my friends in high school had to deal with. It seemed like everyone’s boyfriend was prone to dip his wick whenever the offer presented itself. It was part of the reason I wasn’t so quick to jump into a relationship. Not that Cruise would ever do that. We have something special.