Chapter Six
Arden
I watch her smile with my sister and their roommate and I can’t help the grin that forms on my own face.
“So, when are you gonna make a move, boy?”
Memaw’s voice startles me to the present.
“Huh? Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh hush,” she tuts. “You’ve had eyes for that girl ever since you were a kid. You were always running around after her.”
I roll my eyes, pushing off against the wall I was leaning on. “I was not running around after her.”
“You were and you know it. I heard she’s staying for medical school. Perfect chance to spend some time together.”
I’ve thought about this a lot. It was a gamble choosing to come to TU for my degree because I knew it meant I’d be seeing Danika around for most of that time.
To be honest, I didn’t think it would affect me, but I can’t help but double take when I see her in passing on the quad or at the coffee shop.
We have class in the same building at the same time on Monday afternoons. I don’t know if she’s noticed that but I certainly have.
Danika and I have always had an interesting relationship.
She’s my little sister’s best friend so she practically grew up at my house.
Her and Margot were always together, playing dress up or hide and seek.
Then, when they got older, it was make-up and parties in high school.
Only then did I start to take notice because Danimal was constantly dragging my sister into trouble.
And by trouble, I mean boys. It wasn’t lost on me that Danika is beautiful and even though she was a few years younger than me in school, I did notice her, especially as we both matured.
But I wasn’t the only one that noticed her.
The disgusting adolescent boys at our school were constantly talking about the depraved things they wanted to do to her. They knew well enough not to say any shit like that about my sister but since Danika wasn’t related to me, she was technically fair game to be a pig about.
I’m not pleased to admit that I’ve gotten into more than a few fights defending Danika’s honor but I’d do it again if it meant keeping her name out of those disgusting teenaged wet dream locker room talks.
“I doubt I’ll even see her,” I tell my grandma. “Plus I’ll be really busy working and taking classes. This place is too big for run-ins.”
Memaw murmurs something about my luck while Danika laughs loudly at something Margot says, the sound hitting my ears just right.
“She’ll be here all by herself, ya know. You should at least make yourself available to her if she needs your help.”
My first thought is there’s no way Danika Freeman would ever willingly accept my help but then I think, Memaw is somewhat right.
Margot’s next move is to head closer to Boston with Alex and I’m not sure about Sydney’s plans but I know Danika will be on campus by herself now.
I’ve always looked out for her when we were growing up, why should I stop now?
I nod to appease my grandma but the wheels are turning.
I can be there for Dani if she needs me without being too much of a presence in her life.
Just like an emergency lifeline for her if she needs.
Someone to call if she’s too drunk after a night out and needs a ride home.
Or to pick up some toothpaste if she’s running low.
Maybe some snacks…whatever it is college girls need.
That’s not what college girls need, my dirty mind thinks.
I don’t know if Danika is still with that kid or not.
I did what I said I would and stayed out of sight for the semester so I didn’t see if Dani had a boyfriend.
There’s no one here with her now so I probably could assume they’re no longer together but I don’t like to assume things.
There’s hundreds of reasons why a potential boyfriend isn’t here right now.
When I look at Danika again, she’s looking down at her phone, probably reading a text from him right now.
She looks upset so I’m guessing he’s just not coming at all.
When she puts the phone back in her pocket, she closes her eyes for a brief moment and takes a very deep breath in.
She doesn’t think anyone is watching her but I am.
After letting out the breath, she plasters on a smile and turns back around to her roommates. To celebrate, we’re all heading back to the girls’ apartment for a big dinner and Margot seems to be caroling the group to head there now.
I didn’t spend a lot of time in Margot’s apartment but there was that one time last year that Danika and I got a little too close. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have her there that night. But it doesn’t mean what happened should be repeated.
No, I’m ready to put my nose down and into my books. Next year, I’ll be here if she needs me but I’ll stay out of her way. Staying away from Danika Freeman is the best course of action for me if I want to maintain my sanity.