Hi Katherine, its dad, hope your finals are going good. Daniel and I still plan to come up and get you on Sunday at about noon. Daniel has a birthday party to go to at four so we’ll need to be back in time. I hope finals are going good. Keep up the hard work. Just call if anything changes sweetie. Love you.
I’m excited to see my dad and brother. It’s strange to think about how different our family dynamic is now. Normally I would have thought of my mom being the one to check in and encourage me, but I find that I am getting everything I need from my dad. In the case of my mom my heart has not grown fonder by her absence or so I tell myself.
I change out of my clothes and into my pajamas. As I curl under the covers in my bed I realize how drained my body and mind feel. I push out the thoughts of Kyle, Marco, my mom and even Reed… I easily fall into a deep sleep.
Chapter 9
By the time Friday comes around I am mentally drained. I made it through all my finals and feel elated because I know I studied my ass off. Hopefully my grades will show my hard work. As I am walking out of my last test back to my dorm, I feel like a sleep deprived zombie. I didn’t have time for a shower this morning, my hair is pulled back in a messy pony tail, my socks don’t match and I’m in sweats that are too big on my small waist. From out of nowhere I hear my name being called by a male. Oh crap.
It’s Marco. Once he catches up to me he asks me about Saturday night and I agree to dinner at seven. He doesn’t make any comments about my hideous looks, thank God. I’m in such a state of delirium that I really am not that embarrassed or maybe it’s just because Marco makes me feel at ease. He walks me back to my dorm and gives me a hug before he jogs off.
As soon as I get to my room I take a shower. After I put on my coziest pajamas and crawl into bed. I grab the phone and call Jenna because I know she is done with her finals. She is going out with a guy from a nearby community college tonight that she met a couple weeks ago, but she wants to hang out tomorrow. I tell her about my dinner with Marco tomorrow.
“Oooo la la, hmmm, I had a feeling that would be happening sooner or later.”
“You did?”
“Yea, he’s asked all of us at some point something about you. Plus, he basically admitted that he doesn’t normally study in the library.”
I guess I didn’t realize this, but it doesn’t bother me. I am kind of curious if there is more to him. Although I’m not sure why he is interested in me considering he is a senior. I remind myself to try to be more carefree like Maggie and Jenna. After we get off the phone I stretch out and enjoy the peace. Before long I am sound asleep.
I wake to the sound of the dorm phone ringing and as I open my eyes slightly I can see that it is dark out now. I answer in a dry and scratchy voice, “Hello”.
“Hey.”
Now my eyes pop open and I sit up. I try to drag myself out of the coma I was in. It’s Kyle.
“Kate…”
“Yea, I’m here.”
“Did you get my message?”
“Uh, I did.
“Why won’t you call me back? Kate, I miss you. I want to see you next week. You’ll be home right?”
“Kyle, I… I can’t. Why are you calling?” I don’t bother to tell him about the trip Dad is taking me and Daniel on.
“Because I want to see you.” He lets out a breath and I can envision his jaw clenching in frustration. “I still think about you all the time.”
BEEP. Saved by the bell.
“I have another call. I have to go, Kyle. Ok?”
“Ok, but I will see you next week. Bye.”
I click over with my heart caught in my throat. I try to calm my breathing and answer. I’m relieved it’s Maggie. I grab my cell phone and see that it’s eight at night. Also, I see three missed calls from Kyle. She wants me to come hang out and eat pizza with her and some of the others. That sounds perfect after the week I’ve had, so I throw on some clean comfy clothes and my sneakers. My stomach is growling before I even make it to her dorm room.
Maggie’s roommate, Lynn, went home early, in which Maggie seems happy to have the break. Before long, Kelly, Derek and Brandon come on down to hang with us. Brandon brings a case of beer down with him. It tastes so good with the pizza, I must admit. I stretch out on Lynn’s bed and Derek comes over to sit at the end near my feet.
“So, Marco tomorrow night, huh?”
“Maggie!” Geez, I just agreed and already word has spread.
“It wasn’t me, I swear! I just heard from Jenna about it before she went out,” Maggie screeches.
“Actually, Jenna told me, too,” Derek confesses.
“Yes, I am. He asked and I said yes. That’s all there is to it. To be honest, I have a bigger problem than that.”
“What?” They pretty much all chime in.
“Kyle, my ex-boyfriend, called and I answered in a daze of sleep. He wants to see me back at home. I have been avoiding his calls all semester, but I know how he is.”
I try not to notice the stiffness in Derek’s face and his tight lipped expression, but I do. Other than that, he is doing his best to treat me like any other friend. Maggie’s eyes widen and she says, “Is that who you told me about before?”
“Yes, he called and came around this summer, but I avoided him and told him I wanted to go to college single… same as he told me a year before. I really don’t know what he wants.”
“He’s a guy, Kate, he could just be looking to hook up or maybe he realizes he messed up,” Brandon says with a cute little smirk on his face. Maggie gives him a playful smack and purses her full lips.
“Yea, I guess. I just don’t know if I want to see him.” The progress I’ve made in healing my heart and mind of Kyle is too great now. I’ve changed and am a different girl.
“Well, we could all come down and harass you during break!” Kelly says playfully and lightens my mood.
Derek nudges me and nods his head in agreement. I smile brightly back at him knowing I have a good friend. The rest of the night we all hang out in Maggie’s room drinking beer, talking and laughing while watching Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
******
The next morning I wake early and change into my running clothes. Kelly meets me just outside my dormitory at eight. We don’t let the cold wintery weather stop us as we head towards the river. We end up getting in a six mile run and it feels great after the busy week we’ve had.
Once I get back into my dorm room I check to make sure I don’t have any missed calls on my cell or the dorm room phone. Quinn rolls over and looks at me in disgust. She was out pretty late last night and is probably fighting a hangover.
“Oh my God, like how do you get up so early and actually run?”
I laugh at her and tell her, “It’s a great stress reliever for me. I feel so much better actually.”
“Ugh, no thank you!” She sits up and moves her legs around to hang off the bed.
“So what did you do last night?” I ask and must admit to myself I am curious if Reed will come into the conversation. She has not mentioned him since the night that I saw them on the side of Marco’s house.
“A few of us ended up at a Phi Delta Theta’s party last night. It was pretty fun and I met a really hot boy. I’m not sure what year he is, but his name is Tim something. I don’t remember, but oh my goodness, he was so cute and a great kisser. He brought me up to his room and started making out and then his hands started...” I stop her during this ramble before I have to hear any details.
“Ah, stop Quinn! Do you have no shame!?” I’m plugging my ears.
She starts giggling and laughing at me. “You are such a prude Kate! Come on, what about you and Derek?”
“You know everything, not much to tell. That ended a while ago and we are just friends now anyway. But hey, I’m going out with Marco tonight for a bite to eat.” I surprise myself with the excitement I feel about my date.
“Shut up! No way! Oh my God, what are you going to wear? Let me help you get ready
! Please!” This has her all riled up and I knew it would.
After I agree to let her help me get ready, I change into my tennis clothes and head out to grab some juice and a bagel. Then I head over to the courts.
It’s pretty dead in here today and all the courts are open. I’m the only one here to play. I know last night was a heavy party night since finals were this week. I head over to the wall to practice my backhands and get into a rhythm.
I start to work up a sweat and notice that four others have taken on to a court to play doubles. It’s been about forty minutes now since I’ve been here and I try to push the burn of disappointment down my throat. Besides, I remind myself, I have a date tonight. As I push Reed out of my thoughts and focus on the rest of my day, I hear, “You made it.”
I snap around taken back to see crystal clear blue eyes smiling at me. My heart rate has quickened and I feel a flutter in my gut. “Hi, did you miss me last week?”
He laughs and brings a finger to his temple as if he is thinking about it. “You are not an easy opponent to replace.” He gives me one of his famous winks and in a more natural and serious tone he says, “Kate, you are really good; in fact you’ve improved since I first started playing with you. You should join one of the teams here.”
“Thanks.” I can feel a redness moving up towards my cheeks, but hope that it is hidden since I am probably red anyway from playing. “I have my hands full with my classes as it is and they’ll just get harder. Accounting doesn’t come easy for me.”
We start heading over to an open court and he saunters over to the furthest side. He throws me off when he says, “Wish I could help you out… But you should ask Marco, since he is an accounting major and all.” Then he winks at me. Instantly I feel flush again. There is something about his tone and the way he is looking at me that says he knows about my date tonight.
“I’m aware and he has helped me already.” My tone is curter than I had intended.
He runs his hand through his hair and just laughs. Then he gestures that he is going to serve. We get three games in and I notice the time. It is just past eleven.
“So, Marco tonight?”
I nervously bite down on the bottom corner of my lip before I answer. “Yes.”
“Well, the good thing is that I’ll see you later then.” A wicked grin spreads across his face before he slams a beautiful serve in.
Another couple games and I realize that I need to head back to my dorm to start packing up for the break. I head towards the net and tell him, “I have to get going. I’ve got to clean up my room and pack up for break still.”
His eyes are set on mine and I see a shadow of hesitancy in them, but it’s gone before he says anything. “Ok, well, I’m sure I’ll see you later then… When do you leave to go back to Chicago?”
“My dad and brother are coming up tomorrow afternoon to get me.”
I grab my water bottle before I start to walk towards the doors off the courts. He follows in suit next to me. “What are you doing over the break?”
“Actually, my dad is taking me and my brother to Florida for a week in a few days. I’m looking forward to the warmth and sunshine.”
He starts towards the men’s locker room. Before he heads in he says, “Tan Kate, I can picture it now, mmmm.”
“Bye Reed,” I say as I roll my eyes and stick out my tongue before I turn on my heel to head out.
Chapter 10
Once back in my dorm, I start to clean up and pack my belongings for the break. I take a break and call Maggie and she insists on coming over to make sure that Quinn doesn’t make me look “too slutty”. Quinn has returned to our room and she is full of energy. She is ready to tackle my appearance or in her view, lack thereof. Maggie knows this could be disastrous for someone like me because I tend to live by the less is more theory when getting ready. It’s not that Quinn doesn’t look good, just ask any guy. It’s just that I look better with a more subtle and natural look. Smokey eyes and lip lined lips instantly put me in the category of “slut” as Maggie has made known.
Too my surprise, as well as Maggie’s, I like what I see as Quinn turns me slowly towards our full length mirror that hangs on the back of my closet. My features are enhanced, but soft and natural.
“Quinn, you may have a hidden talent!” Maggie jokes with her.
“I’ve always been good with hair and make-up. I told you to trust me. I know that my look is not for everyone… it just works for me.” Her voice is all bubbly and her smile is sweet.
I’m just staring at my reflection inspired by what little she has done and yet the results seem like much more. I smile and turn back around to look at Quinn. “I love it! I really do. I may keep it up even.”
Maggie chimes in and says, “Kate, you look beautiful with or without this, but I say go for it girl!”
“Next you’ll let me pick out your clothes!” I just smirk back at Quinn. I’m not ready for that. I like my simplistic fashion and don’t intend to change that anytime soon.
******
Marco arrives promptly at seven and even comes up to my dorm room to get me. I’m dressed casually in jeans and a fitted black long-sleeved V-neck long-sleeved shirt. Quinn answers our door and he gives her a hug hello and asks how she is. I come out from behind my closet door and his mouth opens slightly. His eyes travel from my head to my toes.
“Wow… You look really good.”
I instantly blush and try to keep my eyes level before I say, “You can thank Quinn. She works wonders with a little make-up.”
He moves towards me and gives me a light hug and says, “I beg to differ. It’s just you.” He looks more handsome than usual dressed in jeans and a light blue and white striped button down collared shirt. His dark blond hair is fixed neatly, which show off his hazel eyes. Suddenly the small room feels over consumed with the three of us standing.
As we are heading out, Marco says to Quinn that we’ll probably see her later at his house. Quinn never mentioned anything, which is unlike her. It never occurred to me that maybe she was seeing Reed. This thought sends a rush of jealousy through me. Silly I know considering that Quinn has no clue of my crush and that I am being escorted out with a handsome guy for dinner. I push these ridiculous feelings of jealousy aside for the time being and focus on Marco.
He takes me to a small pub off campus in the Historic Third Ward. We order burgers and he has a couple beers. Our conversation flows easily and there are no awkward moments. He asks about my day and says he’d like to come play tennis with me one day. We talk about our plans for our break. I tell him about my trip with my dad and brother. He asks about my mom. I don’t lie, but I don’t open up about the subject and simply reply that she is in California right now. He tells me about some of the accounting practices he would like to work for after graduation in May. I never tell him to apply to one of my dad’s because I remember how my mom would always say you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.
In the bar area there is a pool table and some dart boards. Marco tells me to pick my poison. I laugh because I have not played either before. I decide on pool.
“Well, lucky me; I’ll get to teach you.” He winks at me before grabbing a stick for me.
“Hey, maybe I’ll have beginners luck.” He laughs at that and comes up behind me to show me how to break. The close contact races my heart and gives me a small flutter in my belly.
It takes me a few tries to get the hang of using the stick, but after a bit I think I have some of that beginners luck. I’m not winning, but I’ve been able to claim a few in the right pockets. As I’m bent over the table and stretched across, I hear Marco let out a low whistle threw his teeth. I turn my head slightly to give him a squinted look and purse my lips tightly.
“No distracting me,” I tease.
“Trust me I am not the one doing the distracting, Kate. It’s the view I have from over here that is very distracting.” I roll my eyes at him and let out a giggle.
As the game continues, s
o does the flirting and I find that I am enjoying it. Of course I lose, but he promises to help further my skills in the future. We leave the pub with his arm around my waist. I’m teasing him that I bet I will beat him next time we play because I’m a quick learner. As we reach his car he opens the passenger door for me and once I’m seated he plants a soft kiss on my cheek. I can’t help but bite the corner of my bottom lip out of nervous habit and keep my eyes down.
During the short drive to campus he tells me that his roommates are having some people over. He asks if I want to come back with him. It’s early and I am really having a fun night. The smile I receive after I agree is endearing.
After we park Marco’s car on the street we start to walk towards his house. It is obvious that it is a smaller crowd tonight just by the sheer volume coming from the house. We begin to walk up the steps to go in through the front door, but he stops me by grabbing my hand. I turn to face him and am able to look at him eye level because I am one step up. He moves his hand that is free towards the pocket of my gray wool pea coat and tugs me closer. My mouth is only hairs away from his and my breathing is fast. I fight the urge to bite at the bottom corner of my lip because I feel butterflies from my belly up to my heart. He doesn’t say a word. His eyes are locked on mine and the suspension is killing me. It’s almost as if he is waiting for me to make the next move towards kissing. Time seems suspended and then he moves in closer and presses a soft kiss on my lips. It’s sweet and gentle. Before he can move in again, I back myself up another step. He smiles at me and moves his hand from my coat.
He moves in front of me and opens the front door all the while holding my hand. The front room that is normally the dance area is lightly lit up with table lamps that are on end tables. There are two large old mismatched couches that are occupied. The TV is on, but no one seems to be watching it and music fills the air. I see two of his roommates with girls in between them on the blue couch that is backed up against the front window. To the right is a southwest patterned couch pressed against the wall with three guys and a couple girls wedged in there that are either sophomores or juniors. I say hello and one of the girls says that Quinn is in the other room playing poker. There are a couple others that I don’t know hanging around.
The Perfect Distraction (Volume 1) Page 5