Chapter Eighteen
144 days until graduation
Being on this bus has had my skin crawling for the past two hours, and now that we’ve finally made it into the city, I can almost smell the freedom.
Cleaning, and knowing my spaces are as clean as possible, gives me a type of control that I long for. On this bus though, I don’t have a single sense of control.
“If I never have to ride on this hellhole again, it will be too soon,” I whisper to Winnie.
We’ve been watching one of our favorite rom-coms the entire way here, but Logan, in his typical fashion, keeps interrupting.
“Well, too soon isn’t within the next week, because we still have to ride back on Sunday.” Winnie smiles.
I look back toward her laptop, sensing an impending notable scene. We’re approaching the part where the main characters have a super climactic and cheesy love confession, which tells me we’re near the end.
“Turn the subtitles on,” Logan whispers harshly from behind us; he’s watching the laptop through the cracks of the seats. I think he’s more invested than we are. He even gets teary-eyed when I look over at him during the kiss in the rain.
“He’s going to tell her he loves her,” Winnie whispers giddily. I nod, smiling with her.
“Hey,” Logan chastises us. “No spoilers, ladies.” Apparently, Logan has never seen Crazy Rich Asians before.
Winnie and I chuckle at how enthralled he is. Not that we didn’t expect it from Logan, but it still is a sight to behold.
“Okay, everyone!” A chaperone’s voice comes over the loudspeaker. “We have officially arrived at our hotel. I am going to come around and hand out room keys, and you all are free to find your rooms from there.”
“No!” Logan bellows, making the people around us glance over. “It was just getting good.”
“Don’t worry, we can find something much more interesting on the TV tonight,” Jameson reassures him, making Winnie gasp.
“There is nothing better than rom-coms,” she protests.
“Winnifred, Genevieve.” We look up to see Ms. Geller holding a card out to us. “Here is your room key. Please don’t lose it.”
“We won”t,” I answer, grabbing the card from her grasp and sliding it into my wallet.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask Winnie as I stand in the aisle.
“Yup,” Winnie chirps, collecting her things and following me quickly off the bus.
“Do you know where our room is?” She whispers as we enter the lobby.
“I’m sure we can figure it out,” I tell her, grabbing my bag from one of the luggage dollies. “Remember Winnie, we’re not helpless little birds. We’ve already learned how to fly.”
She grabs her suitcase off a different dolly before we make our way over to the elevator. We halt our steps when Luke Shepard steps in front of us, a frazzled look on his face as he blocks our path.
It’s immediately off putting, because for as long as I’ve known Luke, he’s never been one to panic, even in situations where it’s warranted. He’s always been a wall of serenity, quite like Logan, which is likely a product of growing up with three girl best friends.
“Luke,” I trail off. “What’s going on?”
His mop of blonde hair is a mess, and the way his grayish blue eyes scan around the room is a tell-tale sign something is bothering him.
“Gen,” he greets us, also nodding toward Winnie. “How are you?”
“I’m well,” I answer plainly.
“Good, good,” he sighs, looking at the ceiling. He’s acting awkward, so he must need something.
“Look, I have a somewhat odd request.” There it is.
“And what is that?” I ask, scratching the side of my face, then crossing my arms over my chest.
“Our rooms are across from each other,” he says. “Later tonight, there’s going to be a girl knocking on my door, I can almost guarantee it.”
I almost laugh. “I am not rescuing you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not asking you to save me. All I’m asking is you open your door and tell her I’m not there.” He’s fidgeting with the sleeves of his sweatshirt, making me wonder what he’s so worried about.Luke is usually not the type to look so uncomfortable at the idea of a girl being at his door, yet he seems overly nervous for this to be a random hookup crawling back to him.
“Who is she?” I ask out of curiosity.
“It doesn”t matter.” He sighs, running his hands through his hair. Luke showing distinct signs of distress is more of a call for help than anything having to do with a hookup.
“Listen, I don’t particularly care about your sex life, or the girls you happen to hookup with, but I need you to tell me the bare minimum details before I go sending a random girl running away from your room,” I tell him sternly, pointing a finger in his direction. “Because so help me God, Luke, if I find out you got a girl pregnant and you’re trying to ignore her, I will castrate you myself.”
I’m not one to shame people for their sex lives, but I will cause bodily harm to men who don’t take responsibility for the result of their sex lives.
“What?” Luke asks, exasperated. “No, no. This has nothing to do with my sex life, and I’ve never gotten a girl pregnant!” He hisses through his teeth, trying to whisper despite his rising tone.
His obvious and overwhelming nerves are putting me on edge. I spin the bracelet on my wrist, fiddling with the charms.
“So, then what’s going on?” The question is continually startling him. “Tell me and I will consider helping you.”
“She’s a girl who has a giant crush on me.” His story doesn’t sound all that convincing. “Nothing bad, I just really don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“You’re being honest?” I ask seriously.
Luke rubs his lips and drops his hand. “I’m telling you as much as you need to know.” If that isn’t avoidance, I don’t know what is.
“Why are you so worried about hurting this girl’s feelings?” I ask, and I think my tone of finality makes him realize that this is the last time I’m asking. “I don’t mean to be harsh, but you don’t really seem like the type of guy who wants to ease the unrequited feelings of all the different girls who have crushes on you.”
If he doesn’t tell the truth right now, I’m not going to help him at all.
“It’s complicated,” he admits, running a hand through his hair yet again. “But I promise, it’s nothing bad.”
Sincerity, and a bit of desperation, are practically dripping from him, clarifying that he is telling the truth.
“Fine,” I agree. “Please, don’t make me regret this,” I say. My voice is just as empathetic as his.
“Thank you.” He smiles brightly before he makes his way back to his group of friends.
Winnie and I make our way toward the elevator yet again, and as soon as we enter, a hand stops the door from shutting.
“Ladies.” Logan smiles at us as he shrugs his duffel bag over his shoulder. Jameson is close behind him, hitting the button for the floor that they need.
“You just never leave us alone, do you?” I groan sarcastically, leaning my head back toward the ceiling.
“Winnie, how can you stand there and let her treat me this way?” Logan asks, putting a hand to his chest in faux pain, making her laugh.
It’s quiet for the next few moments, and then the elevator doors open. We all step out, and begin heading down the corridor together, only to realize Logan and Jameson’s room is right beside Winnie and mine.
This is going to be wonderful.
Once we”ve settled into our hotel room, closer to nine o’clock, Winnie gets a call from Logan asking her if she wants to meet him for a late dinner.
She’s already opening her suitcase, digging for an outfit by the time she hangs up the phone. “You don’t care if I go, do you?” She turns her head around to ask.
“No, go ahead.” She never has to feel the need to ask me for permission. “I’ll probably order room service or something.”
I’m sitting on the bed, staring out the window. Normally, she’d invite me along with her and Logan, but I’ve already told her I want to stay in tonight.
I’ll probably spend the time alone hanging my clothes, because I cannot allow them to sit in a suitcase for almost a week.
“As long as you’re okay with it,” she says, holding up two dresses when I nod. “Which one?”
“Oh,” I drawl. “So, this is a fancy dinner.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” she questions.
“No, I’ll let you enjoy dinner, just you and Logan.” I tease with a bright smile. Winnie doesn’t even notice.
She picks out a dress, lets me choose what shoes she should wear, and by then, Logan is knocking on our hotel door.
I usher Winnie out quickly, telling her a string of goodbyes. “Have fun, kids,” I tell them cheerfully as they walk down the hall toward the elevator.
I step back in the room, shut the door behind me, and turn around so my back can lean against it, readying myself for a peaceful night.