45. CHARLOTTE
45
H unter tried to call me a few times every single day for a week, then he called me once every week, but after that, he stopped. Not going to lie, it hurts when another picture of him and Laurie circles on the internet, but I do my best to avoid it, and distract myself by trying to get new connections inside the campus.
I’m in college, for crying out loud. More than enough people to keep me entertained.
“Oh, Charlie, I’m sooo glad you came to UNC with me. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Julie hooks her arm in mine as we strut over campus, both having a cup of ice cream in our hand.
“I know. I’m really glad I did. I’m pretty sure I’d be miserable being stuck in Braedon community college with everyone from our class going off to the big schools.”
“Right! And imagine all the parties you would’ve missed. Still can’t believe I got you out of your books as many times as I did.” She chuckles.
“Neither can I.” I laugh.
The first time Julie dragged me to one of the frat parties, I wanted to hide and run, thinking it would be the same disaster as it was in LA. But it seems like college parties are more my thing. I actually really enjoyed myself, and it felt refreshing being in a new environment. Though I still enjoy a quiet night with a book at the dorm, I go out with Julie every other week now.
We take a seat on one of the benches in front of the campus, savoring the sun warming our faces as we keep eating our ice cream. The sweetness of my cookies and cream is alternated by the fresh taste of my orange scoop, reminding me of Hunter because, apparently, I like to torture myself every now and then.
“Can’t believe we’re sophomores. Time really flies by.” I place my spoon between my teeth, dragging it out as the ice cream drops on my tongue. “How are things with Jacob?”
Her sigh speaks volumes. “It definitely would be better if we’d be going to the same school.”
“So, still shit, huh?”
“Not really. We just don’t see each other a whole lot, and it fucks with my head.”
“You mean, the rumors about him and other girls?”
She gives me a reluctant look, doing something to me, because I’m used to Julie being confident and perky. “Jason says I have nothing to worry about.”
Hearing Jason’s name lifts my eyebrows, but then I nod, hiding the urge to ask if she knows how Hunter’s doing. I shouldn’t care. I don’t care. “I’m sure Jason would tell you if his brother was cheating on you. They are not exactly friendly.”
“But they are still brothers,” Julie rebukes.
“Jason hates Jacob, Jules.” I give her a reassuring look, then pull my phone out of my bag, noticing a missed call. “Oh, Mama called me.”
“Oh, how’s she been? She’s really doing good, right?”
“Yeah, she’s thinking about taking a part-time job in Bett’s Bookshop.”
Dialing her number, I place the phone against my ear while I wait until she answers .
“That would be cool. You two used to hang out there all the time,” Julie reminisces with a sweet smile curling her pink lips, and I mimic it, thinking about all the Saturday mornings my mother and I would snoop through the shelves.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Mama’s soft voice graces my ear, warming my heart but making my face fall when I notice the tone in her voice. My good mood is whipped out of the air as if lightning strikes me, a bad feeling folding around my heart.
“Hey, Mama. You okay?”
“No. I’m not.”
“What’s wrong?” I keep staring in front of me, seeing from the corner of my eye how Julie is throwing me a questioning look.
“I went to the doctor’s today. They found another lump.”
Desperation washes over my body, paralyzing me from head to toe. Not even knowing how to respond to that. Wondering when this nightmare will be over. If this nightmare will ever be over.
“How bad?” My voice breaks.
She stays quiet as she pushes out a breath. “It’s bad.”
Swallowing hard, I turn my gaze to Julie, feeling my heart pounding against my ribcage, still staring at me in anticipation while I know there is only one option for me. As much as there is a feeling inside of me, dying to be selfish for once, I can’t. I can never live with myself if I do. Without hesitation, I take a deep breath, knowing I’ll have to prepare myself for another round of hospital visits.
It’s gonna be okay.
We’ve done this multiple times before, and we can do it again.
“I’m coming home, Mama.”