Chapter 8 Sydney - Feeling Exposed
Chapter 8
Sydney - Feeling Exposed
D anny punched Austin. In the face. His best friend. It was insane.
And then a hand locked onto my shoulder, pulling me out of my shock, and there was Meghan.
“What are you do—?”
“Ladies room. Now,” she hissed. Then she pulled me into the ladies’ room and Meghan cut straight to the point. “What the hell just happened? I feel like there’s going to be a rumble out there in a minute.”
I told her what happened in class with Austin and the subsequent conversation with Danny. I hadn’t expected Danny to act like a hero on my account. I hadn’t wanted him getting into a kerfuffle with his fraternity brothers. Who would’ve expected that from Danny? Nothing about him says “fighter.” What a mess!
“I feel like this is my fault,” I said. “Even though I know it’s not.”
“Oh my god, Sydney! Of course, this isn’t your fault. Did you ask Danny to punch Austin?”
I shook my head. “I tried to stop him.”
“Then let them sort this out. They’ll face their brothers about their shenanigans. Their charter is already on thin ice with their council.”
“I don’t know what to do,” I whimpered .
“Nothing. Maybe check on Danny. Do you need me to slap you out of this?”
I shook my head and joked weakly, “There’s been enough violence.” I leaned against one of the sinks. What a day. “Can you check to see if he’s still here? He might have ditched me in the commotion.”
She grabbed my wrist. “Stay here until I get back. I can give you a ride if needed.” She pulled on the door and disappeared into the diner.
My mind still whirled from the adrenaline. I felt conflicted because instead of feeling guilty over the situation, I felt vindicated and a little smug. Served Austin right for stealing my private thoughts. I decided to ask Professor Nelson to work solo on Monday. Under these circumstances, I didn’t think he would refuse my request. Then Austin could fail or succeed entirely all by himself.
Meghan returned. “Danny’s sitting in a booth, waiting for you.” She hugged me. “Go make him feel better.”
I checked myself in the mirror with Meghan standing behind me. “Thanks for helping me.” I smoothed my dress and went to talk to Danny.
He sat in our booth with his hands folded on top of the table. The diner had emptied out after the commotion. I sat down across from him.
He spoke first. “I’m glad you’re still here. I didn’t know if you left with your sorority sisters or not.”
I placed my hands over his. “Are you okay? Do you need ice for your hand?”
“I’ll survive. Austin has a hard head. He shouldn’t have done that with your journal.”
“I know. I’m trying to decide what to do about his betrayal.”
“Talk to Professor Nelson for sure.”
“I considered that. I don’t want Austin to get in trouble, as strange as that sounds.”
Danny nodded. “I don’t think that sounds strange. It’s kind of selfless to worry about him right now.” He laced his fingers with mine. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, anything.” I squeezed his hand.
“Did you like the song?”
His question caught me off guard. “I don’t know. I got upset and angry and I couldn’t see straight. What are you saying?”
“Maybe you should listen to it again. ”
I pulled my hands away. “WHAT? WHY?” I couldn’t believe he suggested this. How could he side with Austin? I didn’t understand, and my fury escalated all over again. “Even if it’s wonderful, I didn’t give him permission to use my personal journal that way.”
“I’m not taking sides here, I promise. Hear me out. If it solves your problem with coming up with a song for your project, then wouldn’t it be worth it?”
He had a point. If I opted to go solo on the project, then I sat back at square one. “I’ll think about it. I make no promises.”
He gave me a thumbs up. “That’s all I’m asking. Now, would you like to end this evening with a make out session at Overlook Point?” He wagged his eyebrows, teasing me.
I put my index finger against my lips. “I think I can handle that.”
He opened his wallet and dropped a few bills on the table. “Good. Let’s get out of here.”
I’d never been to Overlook Point with anyone. I’d never even been kissed. That’s what happens when no one wants you in high school. And why it still surprised me that Danny was interested in me. Then punched his best friend to defend me.
As we sat there, looking at the lights of the town, he shared something with me. “I love to watch old movies, and I’m remembering this scene from one I watched recently. The romantic tension was building, and it was clear the romantic leads were about to kiss. Then, the lady asked the guy, ‘When you kiss, where do the noses go?’ Will you help me answer that question?” I nodded and he reached up to touch my face.
When he kissed me, I felt tingles spread from my lips all the way down to my toes. His kissing skills impressed me. Soft, with the perfect amount of force. His tongue spent time exploring my mouth, and I let his hands wander over my dress, caressing my breasts and teasing my nipples through the fabric. It sent tingles between my legs and clear down to my toes. I liked feeling his warm arms around me. I might have let him take things further, but he backed off, finishing with a few gentle pecks against my swollen lips.
Later, I lay in my bed thinking back on the events of the day. Would it hurt me to let Austin use my poem for our project? No. In fact, it upset me that it didn’t occur to me.
I felt conflicted about the whole situation. He invaded my privacy, and I wanted to smack him upside the head for that. But I had to give him credit for his creativity. For once, someone else had done most of the work on a group project. I got a little giddy at that thought.
Then I thought about Danny. He didn’t fit the profile of the guys I usually had a crush on. The artist and the rebel got my attention. The serious, brooding type. Danny’s nerdiness appealed to me, and he seemed to be genuinely concerned about me. Hence the punching incident. His sense of humor turned me on, and it seemed like he always had a witty comment waiting to spill out of his mouth. It’s a shame we didn’t meet at the beginning of college, instead of the end. I wondered if it would last past graduation.
Next thing I knew, my phone alarm blared in my ears, signaling another glorious Monday morning. I killed the offensive noise and got out of bed. While I got ready, I shot Danny a quick text.
As expected, he was outside the auditorium doors when I got to school, waiting for me. He pulled a door open to let me inside the building. “I did what you asked me to,” he confirmed. “Are you sure about this?”
“Not completely, but it’s probably the best thing. I don’t want you and Austin to continue this ridiculous silent treatment. You’re best friends and you should act like it.” He held open the auditorium door for me, then took my hand and we walked down the aisle toward the stage. We sat in the front row and waited in silence until the door swung open and Austin appeared. I squeezed Danny’s hand and mouthed “Thank you” to him.
Austin strode down the aisle, confused.
He stopped about twenty feet from us. “Danny told me to meet him here, but I am waiting for one of you to tell me what this is about. I already have one black eye, and I want a head start if you come after me.” He glared at Danny.
I stood and faced him. “I want to give you a second chance. Give the song another listen, that’s what I mean. You completely blindsided me yesterday.”
His shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry about invading your privacy, really. When I read your poem, I could already hear the melody in my head. That’s never happened to me. I’m glad you’re open to listening to it again.”
Danny stood up. “I’m here for moral support for Sydney. I will keep my distance.” He moved to a row of chairs on the far side of the auditorium and sat.
Austin fished through his backpack and pulled out the crumpled orange paper. He walked over to the piano, sat on the bench, poised his hands over the keys, and played. Like before, in the practice hall, his voice mixed with the melody, and I closed my eyes. The song wafted through the room, and I could feel the emotion I had intended with my words. Strong, but sad at the same time, mixed with a touch of nostalgia. It felt magical to hear it this way. It gave my poem depth and dimension that it did not have when it was only the words.
When he finished, he kept his hands on the keys and looked over at us.
“I love it. It’s perfect. I’m still mad at you for reading my journal, but I must forgive you, too. This is the first time I haven’t had to do all the work for a project. Thank you!”
He hollered from the bench. “Hey Danny! Did you hear that? I’m not getting another black eye today! Wendy wasn’t thrilled with the first one.” He chuckled.
“That’s good, ‘cause I don’t think my fist wants to connect with your hard head ever again. Tell your mom I’m sorry.”
Austin looked at me. “Is it safe to approach?”
I nodded and waved him over to me. Danny joined us, and I kissed him on his cheek. “Thanks for sticking up for me, cutie. I will repay you for that later.” I winked at him.
We might have lingered, but the start of classes waits for no one. The three of us grabbed our gear and headed off in separate directions. I felt relieved. I didn’t want Danny and Austin at odds. Now we needed to figure out our game plan for the performance .
Journal Entry
I’m glad I listened to Danny and gave Austin another shot at playing my song. It sounds good with the melody he created. I can’t wait for Professor Nelson and our classmates to hear it!!
My make out session with Danny last night was amazing! I’ve never had anyone kiss me like that. He’s the first guy I’ve ever kissed, in fact. It only took me until I was 22 years old. How pathetic is that?
When we got up to Overlook Point, I could tell that Danny was as nervous as I was. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s exciting and a little scary at the same time. To feel these kinds of feelings for someone. I’m looking forward to that third date.