The COMPLETE Coventon Campus Series: Books I, II, & III

by Wright, Kenya

  She'd confessed to me that most of the females on campus had been giving her a hard time. When she walked by, they said fucked up things loud enough for her to hear. Others gossiped about her in their sorority houses, imagining sexual exploits between her and other men that never happened. She'd been partying off campus with her small group of friends more and more due to having punched several women in their eyes on different occasions.

  With all that happening to her, I was the last person on earth she wanted to talk to. So we didn't. Instead, I texted her simple sentences and waited forever to get a response back.

  Me: Did u see the interview?

  Evie: Yeah. U did great.

  I wasn't sure what to say next. Had she been happy that I lied? Did she think that this interview would finally end all of the media chaos? Did she miss me? Would she take me back? Had I showed her yet that I was sorry and could be trusted to love her like she deserved? I was too big a coward to go down that path, so I picked a simple reply.

  Me: Can I see U tonight?

  Evie: I have plans. Sorry.

  Me: There’s a storm coming.

  Evie: I’ll be fine.

  Me: Is it a date?

  It took her forever to respond. I'd drunk a beer and gone back out to the hallway to grab some more. When the phone buzzed, I dove for it and checked.

  Evie: Yes.

  I gritted my teeth.

  Me: Who's the lucky guy?

  Evie: The poor guy U threw out earlier.

  The fraternity douche bag's face popped up in my mind. I'd wanted to gut punch him just for thinking he could have a one-night stand with Evie. Instead, I called my buddies on the defensive line to persuade him to leave. With ten big guys standing in front of him, the douche bag had no choice but to get out of Evie's room quietly.

  Me: Mr. Gold Teeth?

  Evie: It's just one. Lol. Stop that.

  At least she's loling me now. I don't know if this is a path toward me getting closer or not.

  How ridiculous that in these days, I dissected every text she sent me. If she sent a smiley face, I brightened up and was nicer to the people around me. For some reason, that smiley face gave me good signs that I was making progress. But then there were the days when it took her forever to respond to my text or say more than a word or two. In those times, I grumbled and snapped at anybody who talked to me. I’d been spending a lot of time in my room, sulking and thinking of ways to get her back. The shit had gotten ridiculous.

  Me: Can I see u 2morow? Thunder Ball is out. U know u want to see it.

  Evie: Maybe. I'll tell U later.

  That was a big no, but I didn't push her. At least she was texting me for now. She said “maybe” a whole lot more these days. Maybe I could come by. Maybe she would call me back. Maybe we could meet for lunch or study together in the library. Maybe always translated to no.

  Evie: Be safe tonight, Jay. I know you're surrounded by fans, but make sure u have people around u trust.

  Me: I trust u. I think u might be the only person on this campus I really trust.

  She didn't respond, and I knew she had to be over-dissecting the meaning and trying her best to not pull me back into her life. She'd done a damn good job of keeping me away this week. I didn't think I could get back into her heart without at least being in her presence. That was all I needed. Moments alone with her, hours and days. When we were together, nothing else mattered. That was why she continued to run away as much as she could. She knew there was no denying our love when it flowed and bridged between us.

  I gave up on waiting for her to reply and simply texted.

  Me: Don’t forget about the storm that is coming. Are u sure u should go out?

  Evie: I'll be fine.

  Me: I miss you.

  She didn't say anything, but for me her silence symbolized that she still couldn't get me out of her heart.

  Me: I love you.

  Smiling, I finished my second beer and started on the third. If I was going to come off as a crazy love drunk idiot to Evie, I might as well have a few drinks while doing it.

  Me: I miss kissing my pussy n the way u used to scream so loud when I licked your clit. I meant what I said that day on Pipe's hotel living room floor. This is ur dick. No one else’s. I haven't slept with anyone else. I'm not interested in dating. I'm waiting for u.

  Evie: Is this the moment when u send me a dick pic?

  Me: Would it help?

  Evie: No n U should date.

  Me: U should come over and let me show U why that's a bad idea.

  Evie: I can’t.

  Me: Then I'll come to you.

  Evie: No. I have a date.

  I was glad she couldn't see me snarling right there in my room, growling like a wild animal. I crunched up the beer can, slung it at the wall, and lay down in my bed. That douche bag didn't deserve her time or attention. He was a loser and idiot. Even worse, he'd fucked up and decided to mess with the love of my life.

  Me: Then 2moro?

  Evie: Maybe.

  Me: I'm taking maybe as yes.

  Evie: Then Ur an idiot.

  I laughed and opened another can.

  Evie: What r u doing tonight?

  Me: Getting drunk on beer while I think about u.

  Evie: Yeah right. I bet you're at some huge celebrity party surrounded by models.

  I gazed around my smelly room. My roommate, Tito, played many pranks. Currently, he'd left a several pairs of his unwashed jock straps on my side of the room in hidden spots. Every now and then I discovered one—inside the top tile in the ceiling, inside my pillow case, and stapled to the back of my headboard. I knew there was another one somewhere, and he refused to tell me. I'd gotten him pretty bad many times this year, so I continued to be a good sport and find the last one. I'd been thinking he might have opened up my mattress, put it inside, and sewed it back together.

  Other than the smell flooding the room, clothes, shoes, and misbegotten bags of food littered the space. Since I'd been sleeping in Cyn and Evie's room most of the semester, I never had to truly live with Tito's sloppy self.

  Me: Trust me when I say this. There is nothing surrounding me but junk.

  Evie: MmmHmm

  I swallowed some more beer. A euphoric state rained down on me, just enough to drag me into a quiet sleep once I was done texting her.

  Evie: Goodnight, Jay. Have fun.

  Me: That guy Ur going on the date with tonight is a douche bag.

  Evie: I think Ur jealous of his gold tooth. Just get one. Lol.

  Me: Oh I'm jealous, but it has nothing to do with his teeth.

  Evie: I'm ignoring you. Goodnight, Jay.

  Me: I love you, baby.

  There was no need to wait for her reply. It wouldn't come. She'd dedicated herself to pushing away from me, and so far, I couldn't do anything about it. The last time she texted or even said she loved me was long ago when we were together. Since we’d returned, it had been silence on the other end.

  Maybe I should ask Pipe what to do. No. He's already having his own problems.

  I took off my clothes, showered, and crashed into bed with no motivation to even touch myself and think of her. I'll get her back. I said that a lot more. The only difference from days earlier and now was that my belief in that statement dwindled with each day. Dating. I figured I had several weekends before she would go out and spend time with other men. I guess I'd figured wrong.

  Fucking douche bag.

  Tomorrow I would ask around about this guy and get his information. What I would do with it I wasn't sure, but the urge to learn about him gave me some hope that maybe I could stop anything from happening between them.

  What the fuck would I do if I knew where he lived? Fight him? Tell him to stay away from her? That would just get me in trouble with her.

  My phone buzzed. Yawning, I rose and checked the new text message.

  Evie: I love u too.

  I formed lips into a smile, lay down on my back, and stared at those
letters as they lit up the screen.

  Epilogue

  Cynthia

  Evie stopped texting whoever she’d been chatting with. I bet everything that I owned that it was Jay she'd messaged. I said nothing. It was a treat to have her in the room tonight. Usually, she found every excuse she could to avoid being in here with me, but with the tropical storm and possible hurricane coming, most students stayed inside, including her friends.

  I rested on my bed and returned to my book. Staring at her too long would only force her to escape to the hallway or the floor’s TV room. I hadn't said much to her in the past two days after she told me that we would only be platonic friends. I decided to give her space and approach her again when she gave me a sign that she wanted more.

  The sound of movement came from her side of the room. I checked in that direction and saw Evie swaying on her side as she tried to open a bottle of wine. The tip of the opener barely sank into the cork. She twisted the top of the opener and swung her hips from side to side. Black headphones covered her ears. Her thick black tresses hung past her shoulders. Three black roses decorated one side of her head. Pipe had delivered a large bouquet of black roses to her along with the red wine. She wore small gray shorts and a shirt with Ella Fitzgerald singing on the front. I loved the top because it was tight and wrapped around her breasts just right. Those full mounds on top of her chest had been the stars of my most sensual dreams.

  I grinned. Bubbles of excitement skittered through my body. It was exhilarating to think about her and feel my body react in delicious ways. She was the first person to ever stimulate my senses and not make me experience disgust and remorse. Just walking by me, Evie woke up my body and made me yearn see those wildly swinging hips and plump behind.

  Stop watching her. If she catches you, she'll be out of here.

  Her perfume grabbed my attention as I tried to go back to my book.

  "Damn it," she said to herself. "What the fuck?"

  I checked the progress of the bottle opening. She'd been unsuccessful at yanking the cork. A chuck of it came out while the rest stayed lodged in the bottle.

  Thunder roared and vibrated through the walls. Our lights flickered on and off as the rain seemed to become a water battle with the earth, and I was sure the planet would lose. Wind beat leaves and branches against the window. I cringed each time they scratched at the glass. Lightning flashed outside, casting a bright glow that lit up my Miss Piggy curtains.

  "Stupid ass bottle," she murmured, probably unable to hear herself over the jazz blasting in her ears.

  Should I help her open it?

  I damn sure wanted to. The urge to be near her pounded in my chest every time she walked in the room. An exhilarating sensation thickened around me. It made me high and giddy just to inhale her captivating scent. The few times she spoke to me, her words played like soulful melodies in my ears. She had that way of transporting me out of my body and into some deeper existence where pain or depression didn't exist.

  “Maybe I can dig it out with a knife.” Her voice came out loud due to her ears still being plugged. I laughed and knew she probably didn't even realize she'd been talking out loud to herself.

  I'm going to help her. I just have to be careful.

  Evie was unpredictable. If I came on too strong, she would probably brave the storm and run off. Even worse, she had no problem with punching, as I'd learned in these weeks of getting to know her.

  Jumping up from my bed, I dropped my book and strolled over to her. With each, step the flowery fragrance of the roses in her hair traveled my way. I yearned to pull one out and drag those silky petals across her rich brown skin. But I couldn't. At least, not yet. She needed time to wrap her head around what she felt for me. I needed time to figure out if I really was in fact attracted to her.

  It was why I was reading The Ethical Slut. I didn't want a book that only discussed lesbianism or heterosexual lifestyles. I needed something that delved deeper into the human soul as well as dissected each person's concept of sexuality and companionship. I'd been learning a lot, like, maybe I wasn't sure if I loved women or not, but I knew I possessed deep feelings for Evie. I understood that I could sit back like a coward and not pursue those feelings or move forward on them and see what happened. Worst case scenario I lost her forever, which scared the crap out of me and was the reason I took my time approaching her.

  “Evie!” I tapped her on the back.

  She jumped and fisted her hands. Thankfully, I stepped back with my hands up and a smirk on my face. Pulling the headphones out of her ear, she raised her eyebrows. “What's up, Cyn?”

  Cyn. She calls me that more now. Is it because she feels a deeper connection between us or that it just caught on because of Jay?

  “Let me help you get the rest of that cork out. I have a smaller opener in my drawer.” I rushed over to my side, got the little thing, and returned. “Alpha Omega Psi gave these things away at a gathering they had one semester.”

  “You went to a frat party?”

  “Yeah. I stood in a corner for a few minutes, freaked out, and left.” I picked up the bottle, dug the tiny tip into the cork, and wrenched it out in a few seconds. Evie hooted when I handed it back to her. My face reddened for some reason. She'd been making me blush a lot more lately.

  “Do you want a drink with me?” she asked. “When Pipe isn't around, I'm a lightweight. I'm pretty much a one glass of wine girl.”

  “Sure,” I squeaked.

  She quirked her eyebrows at me for a second, shook her head, and lifted two silver glasses out of a box on her desk. Black infinity symbols trimmed the top of the glasses. “Pipe sent these with the roses and wine.”

  “He's so awesome.”

  “I know, right?” She giggled as she poured.

  “What are you doing tonight?” I grabbed a glass as soon as she finished pouring. “Are you going to get out of here and dance in the rain?”

  “No way. That rain is too cold, and it's crazy windy.” She tapped her glass against mine. “Tonight, I dance inside our warm and dry room.”

  “And can I dance with you?” I took a sip and hoped my wicked thoughts didn't show in my eyes.

  Clearing her throat, she took out the headphones from her iPod and stuck it in the docking station hooked up to her speakers. “Of course, you can dance with me.”

  Music traveled throughout the room. A beautiful, sad little melody about a woman who was having her last drink with her lover before telling him goodbye forever. Although her voice was high, the tone rang low. That perfect mixture haunted the harmony and caused the piano and band to play just as heart-brokenly smooth as the soloist sang. My skin tingled. A sort of elated sensation fogged my head as if I'd smoked a joint or eaten one of Pipe's ecstatic treats.

  “This song is amazing,” I whispered.

  “No. This song is Billie Holiday.”

  “This makes me want to check out more of her songs.”

  “Oh, you have to. She's amazing and will get you hooked. Her voice is a drug.”

  I loved the way Evie's lips moved as she spoke, relished in the few moments she bit that full bottom one when she was unsure about something or simply turned on. “Tell me something interesting about Billie Holiday.”

  “She loved comic books, had bundles and bundles of them, although she died penniless.”

  “What type did she like?”

  “I have no idea. Good question. I've read many of her biographies, but all they do is focus on her creative process with music or her dark addiction with drugs. There were even two famous comic book artists who did a graphic novel about her life, but they pretty much illustrated the worst parts of her life. Lots of horrific stuff happened to her. She was raped when she was ten by this neighbor and then sent away by her mom to… ” Evie scrunched her face up in embarrassment. “I'm sorry. I don't know why I brought that up.”

  “No. That's okay. It's her life, but that doesn't sound like a pretty book of pictures.”

  “No. L
ife can have some fucked up moments, but life usually isn't all pain and darkness. Sure, there are some people somewhere on earth, dealing with some miserable things, but that's not the case for everyone. Billie Holiday was raped as a little girl, but she survived and grew up to be a talented singer. I wished that could've been portrayed too.”

  “Yeah, I like your story better. She was broken, yet she survived.”

  “Women are strong.” She tapped my glass against mine again and gulped some wine. “It's hard to keep us down for too long.”

  “Let's hope so.”

  “No. It's true. You have to believe it.”

  The lights flickered off and on again. Due to Evie's odd studying habits, she kept tons of lemon candles and other fragrances that were supposed to motivate the brain cells to start working. She got a lighter from her drawer and lit a few. “I bet the lights are going to go out. They always freaking do when it rains hard. I wish they would fix it.”

  “Never going to happen.” I laughed. “Now if it was the football players' dormitory, then it would be taken care of immediately.”

  “God yes.”

  We talked more as the blues played and the lemon-scented candles lit the room. Our sips transformed into bigger swallows. Our nervous giggles became drunken chuckles and high-fiving as we pulled all the pillows from our beds and lounged on the floor. Pipe's elegant bouquet of black roses sat in the middle against barely half of the bottle of wine. To make it a proper feast, Evie donated a few of her candy bars, and I offered a bag of chips with honey cheese dip. After a few hours, our predictions came true. The lights went off. Normally, girls' screams would fill the air, and everyone would giggle and run out into the lobby or downstairs to our dorm mother. But it was too late. Most slept. Others made love. The rest didn't care.