Chapter Eight
Jayson
I’m not sure what just happened with Chloe, but I can see she is struggling to hold it together as she runs to the bathroom. I look at Madison, but she just shakes her head no and follows Chloe. I think back over our conversation and I can’t pinpoint anything that I said that would warrant this type of reaction.
Looking over at my brother, I wonder why he isn’t saying anything because he has a look on his face that says he has plenty to say. In a un-Connor like moment, he says, “I think she’s got a lot going on. Are you sure you are up for this?”
I haven’t even said I like her so I just answer like I don’t care. “Up for what? We’re just study partners.”
He raises his eyebrows at me and says, “Study partners, huh? So I guess it’s ok to ask her out?”
I can feel rage rushing through me. I can’t fucking believe this! He has been sitting here practically eye-humping Madison and he is talking about taking Chloe out. And all while she has been sitting here with me!
I open my mouth to let him have it, but he shakes his head and laughs. “Dude, if you could see your face right now. It is blood red. You look like you are about to fuck me up.”
Then I realize that he is playing me, so I relax my fists that were about to connect with his face. I flip him off which has no effect at all.
“Study partners? I don’t think so.” Then in one of the most serious voices I have ever heard him use, he says, “You need to watch it. I have a feeling there is something serious going on with her. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I tell him I will be careful and then our moment is over. With his usual cockiness, he grins at me. “If you change your mind, I’m packing enough for little bit and Madison.”
This time, I reach over and slap the back of his head and tell him to grow up. Also, I let him know that I am uninterested in hearing how much he has. Of course, the fool pats me on the back and says I’m jealous he got all the goods. Are we really related? Yes, I guess so, since that’s my face looking at me and laughing.
When Madison and Chloe get back to the table, I want to ask her so badly what happened, but she looks like she is ready to freak out so I just continue talking about our project. Of course, Connor can’t leave well enough alone and mutters something under his breath, but she puts him in his place quickly. Right away, I’m glad I didn’t say anything. I can tell she is embarrassed and I don’t want to put her in a bad position in front of us or her best friend.
The rest of lunch and our study session goes smoothly and I think we will make a great team. That’s good, because as much as I like her, I still need a good grade. I have to keep my grades as close to perfect as possible so I can get in the med school of my choice, which is Baylor College of Medicine. There is a lot of competition to be accepted into the joint program of the Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program and I can’t afford to get distracted. Unfortunately, I think that’s a lost cause because right now I feel pretty fucking out of sorts. One thing for sure, I know she is skittish and I can’t move too fast or I will scare her away. I hate this feeling of not being in control…something I think she and I have in common.
By the time we are all done eating, I know I have to get back to campus, though I really don’t want to. Its times like this that I wish I could be happy go lucky like Connor and not stress over missing a class, but that’s not me, so I tell them we need to go.
While throwing away my trash and putting my tray away, Madison whispers, “Thanks” to me. I wonder what she means, but when I see her face, I know she means thanks for not asking Chloe what was wrong or drawing attention to the situation. I really wish I knew what happened. I don’t want to say the wrong thing again and upset her even though I can’t imagine what I said to start with. Maybe she had a family member die in a tragic situation or something like that. I guess I won’t know until she tells me, so I will have to be patient. Right now, I’m just glad that she is getting back in my truck and that we will have some time by ourselves.
While driving back to school, I work up the nerve to ask her out again. Finally I ask, “What do you think about the karaoke bar, Chloe? Are you still interested?”
She smiles shyly at me and says, “Yes, that sounds great to me. I love karaoke.” Knowing that I have a really cheesy grin on my face, I ask what night would be good for her. We decide on Friday night and I know it’s not going to get here fast enough. She starts licking her lip again and now I know it’s a nervous gesture because she keeps looking over at me.
“Something on your mind, princess?”
She really blushes then and asks, “Do you think Madison could come with us? And it’s fine if your brother wants to as well.”
Though I would rather it be the two of us, I agree because I want her to be comfortable.
We make it back to school and start heading to our classes when I remember our project. Seizing the opportunity to see her outside of school again, I ask, “Do you want to get together to study some more?”
She nods and says, “Yeah that would be good. I can’t believe that our professor wants an outline for the paper and presentation at the next class.”
I agree, but it gives me more time to spend with her, so I’m not complaining. Since I know she will feel better at home, I ask if it’s ok to come over to study.
She looks grateful at my suggestion. "That’s fine with me. How about tomorrow evening? I can order a pizza or make something. What do you like to eat?"
I laugh and say not to worry about it because I can eat anything.
With a wink, she says "Good, now I can surprise you."
By this time, I’m at my next class so I lean down and give her a hug goodbye. She tenses up at first and then relaxes into me. It feels like she fits into me perfectly and that we have done this before. I don’t want to let her go, but if I keep this up, I’m going to look like a creeper. I pull back and notice the blush is back; she really is adorable. I can’t believe I am thinking the word “adorable” but I am. This girl really does it for me.
We make plans to meet at 6:00 PM the next evening and then I give her my number so she can text me directions. As she leaves, I yell down the hallway, “Use my number princess, so I can have yours, too.”
She grins at me and keeps going, but I suddenly feel my back pocket buzzing and I know it’s her. I enter the classroom with a huge grin on my face and smiling wide enough for the deadbeats in the last row to see my back teeth.