Track 3 #4
And of course, Eve was everything she wasn’t.
She was pretty, blonde, and demure. Lily saw herself as gawky, plain, crass, and a bit clumsy, not to mention brash, opinionated, and well…
the very antithesis of Eve. Okay, she had only just met the girl, so she couldn’t tell exactly what she was like, but it was already obvious.
Sighing, she clenched her fists and punched back onto the mattress, kicking her legs and growling at herself like a child in the midst of a tantrum.
Why couldn’t she just effing get over him?
He was out of bounds. He was her bestie.
Her BFF. Her bro. Her buddy. Her pal. Except that wasn’t all he was.
He was tall and broad and muscular and strong and handsome and intelligent and funny and sweet and sexy and…
Shitty shitty shit! This is doing me no bloody good.
She sat up and took in a deep breath. An inner conflict sprang to the forefront of her mind.
Maybe I should talk to him…? And say what, though?
Adam… you know that you and I used to climb trees together and play cops and robbers in your back garden?
And you remember that time you punched Stewart whatshisname because he pinched my bacon Wheat Crunchies?
Oh, and you remember when I drew flowers all over your cast when you broke your arm and you sulked because I couldn’t draw dragons instead?
Well, the thing is, I’ve been in love with you probably since then, and I’d like you to forget about perfect, lovely, stunning Eve and be my boyfriend, and maybe one day marry me so I can have your babies.
Is that all right with you? She laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of her train of thought.
She trudged down to the shower and tried to scrub anything other than platonic thoughts of Adam away. Her first lecture wasn’t until ten, and Adam hadn’t called in last night to arrange breakfast, so she decided she would study. That would take her mind off him.
She had dressed and towel dried her unruly curls and had been back in her room for ten minutes when there was a knock on the door. Reluctantly, she opened it.
‘Bloody hell, Adders, you’re up early. Did you pee in your bed or something?’
He pursed his lips and frowned at her. ‘I really regret telling you that story, you know. I was twelve and I’d had a nightmare, for fuck’s sake.’
Lily shook her head. ‘Actually, I had totally forgot—’
‘Anyway, you can’t spoil my mood today.’
‘Oh, damn, and I make it my life’s work to do so.’ She smirked as he pushed past her and plopped down on her bed. ‘Come in, why don’t you?’ She snorted sarcastically.
He flung himself back on the duvet with his arms behind his head. ‘Get the kettle on, Lil. I’m parched.’
With a perturbed sigh, she went over to the tiny table where her travel kettle, mugs, coffee, and little cartons of UHT milk – discreetly pinched from every café they went to – sat in a pyramid.
‘So, what’s making you so chipper at this early hour?
’ she asked, turning around to face him, her arms folded across her chest.
He sat bolt upright with a grin on his face. ‘I owe you a huge thank you.’
Feeling a tad confused, she wrinkled her nose. ‘For what?’
‘For yesterday, silly. I know what you did.’ He grinned as he pointed a wagging finger at her. ‘You could tell I was into Eve, so you made excuses and left so I could get to know her a little better.’
Realisation dawned on her and a nervous giggle escaped. ‘Oh, yes, busted.’ Wrong!
‘Yeah, well, we had a lovely afternoon just chatting and walking. She’s great, Lil. So different to every other woman I’ve dated. Anyway, I asked her to go out with me on Friday, and she said yes.’ He beamed and punched the air with both fists.
Her heart sank. It was what she’d expected but maybe not this quickly. ‘Oh, that’s… that’s great, Adam, great. I’m happy for you.’
‘Bloody hell, you must be really shocked that a girl like her could fancy me! You called me Adam! That’s only reserved for when I’ve pissed you off or…’ He looked to the ceiling as he contemplated. ‘Well, mainly when I’ve pissed you off.’ He laughed.
She forced a laugh, too. ‘Yeah, shocked is about right.’ The kettle clicked off, making her jump. ‘Oh, shit, Adders, I’ve just remembered I need to… erm… nip out. Can we do coffee later, maybe?’
He frowned. ‘You have to go out at eight o’clock on a Tuesday morning with wet hair?’
Thinking on her feet, she nodded emphatically. ‘Hmm, yes, women’s things.’ She cringed. She knew that would make him leave without asking.
His cheeks coloured and he stood quickly. ‘Oh, right, right. I’ll be off then. Catch you at lunch?’ She nodded. ‘Okay, see you at the refectory then. Bye.’ He ducked out of the door as fast as his legs would carry him.
Amazing how quickly the hint of the feminine monthly cycle could relieve a woman of an unwanted male presence.
As soon as the door slammed shut, she walked over to her bed and slumped down onto it. Then, with her head in her hands, she began to sob.