11. Gigi
CHAPTER 11
Gigi
I can hear the sound of my sneakers meeting the floor as I’m pacing around my dorm room. I wonder why Luke sent that text. When I see the time on my phone, I unlock it and read the chain of texts again to make sure that I’m getting all the details correct.
Luke
Are you free tomorrow? We need to talk.
I have nothing to say to you, Luke.
I do.
What is it about?
It’s better to talk about it in person.
Well, I’m going to the neon party tonight. If you’re going, we can talk there.
I’m back home right now. I should be back on campus around noon tomorrow.
Ok.
I’ll come by your dorm. 3 pm sounds good?
Cool. See you then.
Someone is knocking on the door and I already know who it is. Sure enough, Luke is standing on the other side when I open it, holding a big Tupperware. I already know what’s inside it, too.
“Your mom told me to bring these for you,” he says, handing me the orange box.
I should slam the door in his face for the things he accused me of the last time we saw each other, but he did gift me with the thing I’ve been craving for the longest time—Mom’s homemade cannoli.
“Come in.”
Luke just stands in the middle of my room, both hands inside his jeans pocket. He looks around, and I realize that this is the first time he’s ever been here. His eyes zero in on a framed picture of me and Becca on my desk.
The sound of him clearing his throat makes mine snap back to him. “My dad said you haven’t been home in a while.”
“Very true,” I mumble as I chew on my cannoli. Trying to change the topic, I open the lid to the Tupperware and take out one piece. “Want one?”
“They’re for you, Gi.” Why is he speaking to me in a tender tone?
With my eyes narrowed, I start digging. “Why are you here, Luke? I know it’s not just to bring me cannoli.” He didn’t even want to help me transport my moving boxes, for God’s sake.
“I met Rachel.”
Think of happy thoughts, Gigi.
“You what?”
“I owe you an apology.” For all his growls and scowls, I always appreciated the fact that Luke was a straight shooter. This time is no exception. “I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you.”
I’ve never seen this expression on his face before. Luke has never looked at me with such kindness. It lessens the hurt a little bit.
“I forgive you,” I say, turning my back to him to put the Tupperware on the desk.
Luke doesn’t answer. I hear him shuffling his feet, and I think he’s about to leave the room. After all, this is how we communicate, right? In short sentences? I’m about to say goodbye to him when his deep voice whispers out a confession, “I miss him. I miss him but I’m also mad at him. He didn’t even leave a fucking note.”
My spine goes ramrod straight before I turn around to face him, my jaw slackening. This conversation would have made me sob a few months ago. Now, I just feel the hollowness in my chest. Strangely enough, seeing how Luke looks right now, I also feel like some of the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Misery loves company.
“I miss him, too,” I say with a bitter smile. When Luke doesn’t answer, I decide to take my chance and ask the million-dollar question. “Why do you think he did it?”
“I don’t know,” he admits. “I’ve been trying to figure it out over and over again. I honestly don’t know.”
“He was happy by the end, Luke.” Think of happy thoughts, Gigi. Picture the ocean. Picture the park. Picture Andrew in his cap and gown. “I don’t know what Rachel told you, but whatever it was, it wasn’t because of that.” I feel the pricking behind my eyes. “We worked through all that shit.”
“I’m really sorry for being an asshole to you that night. And I’m sorry he cheated on you.”
“I’m sorry for stealing your room,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. I’m just so done with all of the sadness. So done. Luke actually smirks under his baseball cap. New badge unlocked: something I said is making his permanent frown disappear.
“I’m sorry for being a dick to you when we first met,” he says, his mouth still quirking upward. “Well, for always being a dick to you, actually.”
“I’m really sorry I accidentally threw away your favorite T-shirt. I thought it was a rag.”
“I’m really sorry I told everyone I knew you were a stuck-up princess. In my defense, you call yourself Gigi.” Honestly, I get it. The reputation of Gigis everywhere has never been good. It’s the name of a chihuahua.
“I’m really sorry I told some girls at school that you might have an STD. In my defense, they were pestering me about you. I think I might have done you a solid there. Not your type.” Not that I know what his type is.
I’m half-expecting him to stop this game of apologies and yell at me, but my mouth hangs open when he tilts his head back and starts laughing. “Low blow, Bankowski,” he says, his shoulders still moving. “I’m really sorry I told the same thing to a frat guy who asked me about you. I think I even specified it.”
Biting my lower lip, I try to swallow down my own giggle. “What do I have?”
“Herpes, of course. I was really drunk, not that it was okay.”
“Oh, come on, Luke! You couldn’t be more creative? If you’re going to spread gossip, at least make it more original. A rare form or something.”
“You’re a weird one, Gigi.” He gives me a lazy smile “You know that?”
The door to the room bursts open. Kai and Zoey give each other a look when they see us together. They must be shocked that neither of us is holding a knife in our hands, trying to kill the other person. “Uh, hi guys?” Kai sounds amused. “What are you doing here, Luke?”
Luke doesn’t take his eyes off me, still grinning wide. I think I hear Zoe ask Kai, “Is Luke smiling? I thought he didn’t do that.”
“Alright, Gi. I’m heading back,” Luke announces as he makes his way out. “See you later, Kai.” Looking at my friend, he gives her a nod. “Zoey.”
Before I can talk myself out of it, I follow him outside. “Hey, Luke!” I call out once I realize he has ridiculously long legs and I can’t match his steps.
“What?” He turns to me and slowly walks backward.
“Friends?”
He turns back around, but I think I see him smile again. “Sure.”