by E. L. Todd
On Tuesday night, I was trying to study in my room when my neighbor turned on their stereo, blaring it really loud. I thought they would turn it off within an hour but they never did. Frustrated and too nice tell them off, I fled to the library.
“Theresa?” I asked in surprise when I saw her sitting at a table, books scattered around her.
“Yeah?” she asked with a smile.
“What are you doing?” I asked suspiciously.
“Studying.”
I looked at the textbooks, not recognizing any of them. “Did you change your major?”
“Business,” she answered.
“That was random.”
“Sean’s a business major. Now I spend more time with him.”
“Sean?”
“My boyfriend.”
“Oh. How’s that going?” I was hoping the guy was a jerk so he got what he deserved, or he was smart enough to see through this girl’s lies and get out of the twisted relationship. Perhaps he was just blind by her beauty. I couldn’t think of a better explanation.
“Good. The sex is good.”
That was too much information but I didn’t comment on it.
“There he is,” she said with a smile, looking past me.
I turned around and saw him approach the table. His eyes widened when he looked at me, but I wasn’t sure why. It was like he recognized me. It was the guy I was staring at across the room weeks ago, the man that I thought was ridiculously handsome. Maybe he saw me staring at him? I was pretty sure I was discreet about it.
He stopped when he reached me.
“This is my boyfriend,” she said as she hooked her arm through his. “He’s pretty, huh?”
I was speechless, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
“Sean, this is my best friend, Scarlet.”
“Your best friend?” he said quickly.
“Yep.”
I thought that was more than a stretch, but I let it go. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand.
He looked disoriented as he shook mine, his hand gripping mine longer than necessary. He had a pained look on his face, like I was hurting him. I quickly pulled away.
Theresa pulled him into the chair next to her. “Join us, Scarlet.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Sit,” she commanded. “Friends can study together, right?”
“Yeah,” I said as I lowered myself into the chair.
Sean pulled out his belongings, eyeing me every few seconds. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the look.
Theresa blatantly had no interest in studying. Her hand was practically on his crotch, jerking him off, while she kissed his neck every few seconds. Sean moved like he was uncomfortable but didn’t verbally tell her to stop.
I was uncomfortable but I didn’t say anything. The first guy that I was actually attracted to turned out to be a sex-crazy idiot that was more interested in outer beauty than the true beauty underneath. I was hoping he was a good guy, deep and mysterious, but he was obviously nothing like that. He was either with her just for the sex, or he was a total idiot. In either case, he wasn’t right for me.
“Scarlet, what’s your major?”
The sound of Sean saying my name made my skin prickle. I wasn’t sure why. “English,” I answered.
“Cool. What do you want to do with that?”
“What everyone wants to do.”
“What’s that?”
“I have no idea.”
He laughed loudly, a smile spreading across his face. “At least you’re honest about it.”
“I’ll figure it out eventually.”
“I’m sure you will. So you’re a fan of the classics?”
“Each and every one.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“That’s a personal question.”
He smiled. “It is?”
“That’s like asking me when I lost my virginity.”
He laughed again. “Okay. I’ll go first. My favorite work of literature is Henry V.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“That’s surprising?”
“I guess.” I wasn’t expecting a business major to have any respect for the written world. I thought they just understood numbers and percentages.
“So what’s yours?”
I was quiet for a long time. “That’s impossible to narrow down. There’s no such thing as a favorite book.”
“So I gave the wrong answer?”
“You didn’t give an answer an English major would, so yes, it was the wrong answer.”
He laughed again. “So what’s the right answer?”
“All of them.”
“Even Animal Farm?”
“You didn’t like that?” I asked, shocked.
“Who did? It’s creepy.”
“How is it creepy?”
“When the pigs started walking on their hind legs, I shut the book. I couldn’t handle the rest.”
“But that’s the best part!”
“To a horror fan, maybe.”
“Well, I do like Stephen King.”
“And what’s your favorite novel by him? Or is that a trick question too?” he said with a smile.
“Carrie, obviously.”
“I liked Cujo better.”
“You read all of his books?”
“Why is that surprising?”
I shrugged. “You’re a business major.”
“Are business majors best known for their inability to read?” he said sarcastically.
“I just thought they preferred counting their money.”
“Not all business majors care about money.”
Theresa had been bored until this point. “Sean’s rich.”
“So I heard,” I said as I looked down.
Sean’s eyes lost their light. “My family is rich—I’m not.”
“So you’re taking over the business?”
“No. I want to start my own living.”
“What?” Theresa asked, alarmed. “You’re joking, right?”
Sean ignored her. “Scarlet, I’m not a money-hungry entrepreneur.”
“I never said you were.”
“You implied it.”
“Then I misspoke.” I turned the page of my book then followed the words with a highlighter.
“Let’s go back to your room,” Theresa said.
Sean ignored her. “What else do you like to do?”
I wasn’t sure why he was being so attentive to me. Perhaps he was trying to butter me up since he thought I was Theresa’s best friend. “I follow basketball, baseball, and football. I have too many jerseys to count.”
“What’s your favorite baseball team?”
“The Mariners.”
“Cool. I’m a fan too.”
“Are you from Washington?”
“New York.”
“You aren’t a Yankee fan?”
“I am, but I like other teams too. It’s makes bets more fun.”
“The mariners are playing the Yankees tomorrow. Wanna make it interesting?”
He smiled. “I would.”
“How about twenty bucks?”
“How about dinner and a movie?”
“What?” I asked.
“He means a double date,” Theresa said quickly.
He glanced at her then looked back at me. “Or a friendly get-together.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend, so I don’t have anyone to bring along.”
“Sean could set you up with a friend.”
Sean looked uncomfortable.
“I can get my own dates, but thanks,” I said quickly, slightly offended.
“Yeah okay,” Theresa said as she flipped her hair. “You spend all your time alone, and I haven’t seen you talk to a single guy.”
“My romantic life is really none of your business,” I snapped. “I don’t need boyfriend to make me feel better.”
Theresa looked at Sean. “Don’t set her up with you
r friends. You can tell she hasn’t given up her V-card. She’s practically a nun.”
“And what’s bad about that?” Sean said.
I looked at him, surprised by the unexpected defense.
“Well, college is going to be pretty boring, then,” Theresa said. “And finding a husband will be impossible.”
“I don’t need a husband,” I said quickly. I grabbed my things and stuffed them into my bag. “I’m going somewhere quiet.” I stormed off and moved to a table in the corner. I kept my back to them so I wouldn’t be distracted. After I opened my books, I started to concentrate.
“Hey, I’m sorry if I offended you,” Sean said as he sat across from me.
“I’m fine. I don’t mean to be rude but please go away. I actually have to pay for my tuition.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I said as I looked at my textbook.
“I just wanted to say I was sorry.”
I looked at him. “Sorry for what? What did you do?”
He seemed speechless for a second. “I don’t think you need help getting dates, and I didn’t mean to overstep my boundary. I want to be your friend.”
I shook my head. “You don’t need to butter me up, Sean. You can date Theresa. She doesn’t need my approval for the guys she sleeps with.”
He leaned back. “I just don’t want to offend her best friend.”
I wasn’t her best friend—nowhere near it, but I wasn’t going to argue about it. That would just make him talk more. “Go be with your girlfriend.”
“Have you dated one of her ex-boyfriends?”
“What?”
“Like, have you dated someone she’s been involved with? Is that normal for you two?”
I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. “No, I’ve never dated someone she’s been involved with, and neither has she dated one of my ex’s.”
He nodded, but his face had a saddened expression. “So you don’t double dip?”
“What are you asking me, Sean?”
He ran his fingers through his hair then sighed. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“I can’t follow your thoughts.”
“The Mariner game? Let’s get some pizza and wings and the loser pays for dinner.”
That sounded like a pretty good trade. There was no doubt in my mind that the Mariners would win. “I’ll take that bet.”
He smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
He stared at me for a moment before he rose from his seat then left my table. I looked down at my book and picked up where I left off, trying to get some work done.
4
Sean
I was so angry I could punch a wall. Scarlet was Theresa’s best friend and now she was totally off limits. Girls were weird about dating each other’s ex’s, and Scarlet made it clear she felt the same way. This was so fucking shitty. I didn’t even like Theresa. After I fucked her the first time, I realized how good in bed she was, so I kept her around until I got tired of her. I never expected her and Scarlet to be friends. They were so different.
Scarlet was cool. She was witty, smart, and beautiful. She actually liked sports. When I asked Theresa if she followed sports, she told me she only watched the swimming section of the summer Olympics because the guys wore speedos. And not to be mean, but she was pretty stupid. It surprised me she was accepted at Harvard. It almost didn’t make any sense. Scarlet on the hand, was sharp as hell. One conversation with her told me everything I needed to know.
The next day, I met her downtown at the bar. She was already there, standing by the window. She was watching the screen as the beginning of the game aired.
“Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Hi.” She looked around. “Where’s Theresa?”
“She couldn’t come.”
“Was she with you? She hasn’t been back to the dorm all day.”
I shrugged. “I haven’t seen her.”
She eyed me suspiciously then walked to a table. I sat beside her and got a wiff of her hair. It reminded me of spring flowers after a long rain. Her hair ran down her back. When the light hit it in the right way, it had a tint of red to it.
“Have you dyed your hair before?” I blurted.
“No. Why?”
“No reason. You want a beer?”
“You’re old enough to drink?”
“I have my brother’s old license.”
“It’s not worth getting in trouble.”
“They won’t even card me. I look older than I really am.”
“Someone is arrogant.”
“I’m confident,” I said with a smile.
The waitress came over and I ordered the hot wings and two beers. The waitress didn’t card me and walked away. I looked back at Scarlet. “You’re lucky we didn’t make a bet on that.”
“She’s probably just too lazy.”
She returned with the beers and placed them in front of us.
Scarlet drank half of hers immediately.
I was impressed. “You like it?”
“I love beer.”
“Really?”
“Why is that surprising?”
I shrugged. “Girls usually only like fruity drinks.”
“I don’t. They are too sweet.”
I turned to the television and watched the game. She yelled at the TV, blurting profanities when the referee didn’t make the right call. I smiled at her, enjoying her enthusiasm. She was definitely a cool chick.
“So you aren’t seeing anyone?” I asked.
“Why are you asking?”
“We’re friends, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Are you a virgin?”
“That got personal real quick.”
“Let me go first. I grew up in New York and Connecticut. I lost my virginity when I was fifteen. My family wants me to take over the business, but I want to start my own career. I feel like you aren’t really a man until you find your own way, stand on your own two feet. I’ve never been in love. I have more sexual partners than I can count. I love sports more than food, but I love food more than sex. I love my friends and my family more than anything. I can be a jerk, but I would die for anyone that I cared about.”
“That was a nice biography.”
“Now will you do me the honor of telling me about yourself?”
“I lost my virginity when I was eighteen. My best friend is my older brother, Ryan, who lives in Seattle. My favorite author is Shakespeare. I eat everything and anything, not caring how much I weigh according to a scale. I don’t have any friends here at Harvard and I feel pretty lonely. I’ve always been quiet and introverted, choosing to hide behind a book than stand in front of a group of people. I’m a tomboy because my brother raised me to be one.”
“I thought Theresa was your friend?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“I can be your friend.”
“You want to be my friend?”
“Why not? You’re a cool chick.”
“Well, you aren’t really my type.”
“How do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had a guy friend before—one that was totally platonic.”
I didn’t want to be platonic with her, but I didn’t know how to get around that. I could tell I already ruined any chance I had with this perfect girl. And If I went for her while I still had a girlfriend, I knew it would just make me look worse. I wondered what would have happened if Theresa hadn’t thrown herself at me that night. Would I be with Scarlet? Since she was so awesome, I decided settling as her friend would be better than losing the opportunity to know her altogether. “I can be that platonic friend.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m a really good friend. I have references.”
“My brother says I’m an annoying brat. I’m not sure if you want to be friends with me.”
“You want to know a secret?”
&
nbsp; “Hmm?”
“I don’t have any friends either.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“I have friends, but none that are good friends. I can’t tell anyone what I’m really thinking or feeling. Those types of friends are hard to come by. I could use someone.”
“So we need each other?”
“I think it’s a symbiotic relationship.”
“Apparently.”
I stuck out my hand. “Friends?”
She smiled then took my hand. “Friends.”
I was sad that I lost an amazing girl to my own stupidity, but it was better than losing her completely. She was beautiful and sexy, too smart for her own good, and she had a bit of an attitude. I liked it.
To my dismay, my team lost. I wasn’t upset that I had to pay for the meal. I would have paid for it anyway, but I was sad to face the music. My new best friend knew more about sports than I did.
As the weeks went by, I spent more time with Scarlet. I eventually confided everything to her, making her my new best friend. Theresa and I didn’t last because I couldn’t stand her after a while. I wasn’t sure why Scarlet was friends with her. They were so different. As the dream of being with Scarlet started to drift away, and I knew she was too good for me, I started to get over her and really see her as a friend. I started seeing other girls and told Scarlet about every encounter. She never judged my asshole tendencies, but I knew it wasn’t a lifestyle she approve of.
Scarlet was refined and elegant, spending time with people that she actually wanted to be around. She was too smart for her own good. I became so attached to her that I couldn’t imagine being without her in any context.
I was in the accelerated program at Harvard, on track to complete my bachelors and masters degree in five years. Scarlet finished her degree in four years then stuck around, still working on campus and juggling other jobs. When I graduated, I told her to move to New York with me and she agreed. She and I became a two person set. Where she went, I went.
Our relationship was still platonic. I could tell Scarlet never wanted me in a sexual way. I didn’t think she was even attracted to me. That bothered me for some reason, but I let it go. I treated her like a friend even though I was still attracted to her. Little did I know that everything would change very soon.