UI 101

by M. K. Claeys

  “Sorry?” The guy seemed genuinely confused.

  “Paul. My best friend, the one from Ann Arbor. He already has a boyfriend, so if you were going to ask me to hook you up, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  “Oh, ha-ha. I gotcha,” the guy replied. “Right on.” He paused. “I didn’t sit down here to talk about Paul, though. I sat because I’ve been in this class with you for the entire semester and now it’s finals week and I figured it was my last chance to ask you out.”

  Now it was my turn to be confused. “Beg pardon?” I queried, looking up into his eyes.

  “I was wondering if you would let me take you out. I know we’re all busy packing and such, so nothing major, just coffee or something.”

  “You’re kidding, right? I mean, you really planned on sitting down here just to ask me out on the off chance I might say yes?”

  “No. Not kidding, just direct. And yes, I asked on the off chance you might say yes.” He shrugged. “That, and I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try. Even if you shot me down, at least I would know and it wouldn’t be a lost opportunity that I’d have to look back on when I’m eighty and wonder.”

  “Opportunity,” I mused, considering the fellow who had propositioned me.

  He was tall, about five-ten or so, at least as far as I could judge from the way his legs were stretched out next to mine on the floor. He had on earth-tone plaid shorts with a brown polo. His legs were tan with quite a few scars around the knees. His feet sported a beat-up pair of Duffs. Apparently a skateboarder, if the Spy Optics sunglasses on top of his head tied in with the shoes were any indication. His hair was longer than conventional norms, though not as long as Paul’s, and it was a light brown color. He wore some kind of pendant tied onto a piece of hemp, and his eyes were blue with a ring of gold around the pupil.

  All in all, not too shabby!

  “Can I ask you something?” I inquired.

  “Sure.”

  “Well, actually, I’d like to ask you several somethings before I give you an answer.”

  “Fire away.”

  I smiled. I might as well get this all out of the way. After all, the guy was a self-professed fan of the direct approach. “First and foremost,” I began, “what’s your name?”

  His cheeks burned an attractive pink as he answered. “Li. Well, technically it’s Charlie, but no one calls me that except my grandmother.”

  I held out my hand, and he shook it. “It’s good to meet you, Li. I’m Kathryn, but—”

  “Everyone calls you Ryn,” he finished for me.

  I arched an eyebrow in reply. “Right. So, Li, how long have you been lecture-stalking me?”

  Again with the burning-cheek thing.

  “I wouldn’t classify it as lecture-stalking,” he defended, “I mean, I’m in the class, too. It would be lecture-stalking if I wasn’t and I sat in anyway.” I nodded. He had a point. “Anyway,” Li continued, “I always sit in the back row, but I think I noticed you were in this class about the second or third lecture, so I moved up to sit a few rows behind you. I was really interested when I heard you give a quote to the newspaper chick about the president. You voiced my sentiments exactly.”

  “I think I voiced a lot of people’s sentiments,” I stated proudly. “There were more write-ins to the paper on my one comment than on the entire semester’s issues put together.” He nodded. “So next question, then. Are you in a band?”

  I crossed my fingers on the side of my body that was away from him so he couldn’t see. I really, really hoped he would say no.

  “No. I don’t play music—just listen.”

  Thank God.

  “I skateboard,” he volunteered. “It’s actually how I got to class. Faster than walking and more convenient than blading because I don’t have to pack shoes in my bag.”

  “Good to know, and smart.”

  He looked confused.

  “Good to know on the lack-of-music thing and smart on the mode-of-transportation thing,” I elaborated. “Where are you from?”

  “About an hour south of Illington,” he answered, giving me a sly smile at his retorted ambiguity.

  I paused, wondering whether I should ask my next question.

  Come on, Ryn. What have you got to lose? The direct approach seems to be working so far!

  “What is it that made you want to ask me out in the first place?” I said in a rush.

  Surprisingly, Li leaned back against the wall and put his hands behind his head, clearly relaxed.

  “Lots of things. I mean, when I first noticed you, I found you immensely attractive. You were real. I think you were wearing a baseball cap and a hooded sweatshirt, not all dolled up like some of the other girls in our lecture. You came in late, just behind the prof, and ended up leaving early.”

  “Hang on. Let’s backtrack for a second. How long was it you said you’ve been lecture-stalking me?”

  “I thought we agreed that I wasn’t stalking because I was in the class.”

  “Okay, fine. When was it exactly that you noticed me?”

  And there was that blush again. “I was in your English class last semester.”

  “Shut up! Are you serious?”

  “Dead serious. I hated that bitch, so it was easy to amuse myself by people watching. You were the most interesting, so I admit, I watched you a lot.”

  “Okay, that’s a little creepy, but I guess I can forgive it, considering I was in that lecture too and know exactly how boring it was.”

  “I appreciate that. So anyway, I noticed you. I also happened to be outside the office door waiting on my time slot to meet with the professor when you were arguing with her about your grade on your thesis supporting the legalization of marijuana. I was even more interested then because it’s a topic I feel strongly about myself. I especially liked how you related it back to standard progression of society, like how when gay marriage became legal.” I nodded. Paul and I still talked about that paper. “Anyway, so I noticed you first because of your looks, and then I was interested because of your mindset. But I didn’t get the courage to ask you out until now. I thought it was pretty damn lucky that I happened to be in another class with you. That was something I just couldn’t ignore.”

  “I see. It makes sense to me. Karma is something I don’t take lightly.”

  “Me too,” he agreed.

  “So what’s the meanest thing someone has ever done to you?”

  “Cheated on me,” he said promptly, secure in himself but not without a small trace of residual bitterness.

  “And what’s the meanest thing you’ve ever done to someone?”

  “Told their parents that they needed to go to rehab. He was pissed for a while, but he’s still my best friend. He got the help he needed, and he’s clean now.”

  “And what kind of coffee are we talking about?” This was my final question, and I admit it, I was baiting the guy. I wanted to know how corporate he was.

  “There’s a little coffee-shop-used-bookstore on the strip called Dino’s. I thought we’d go there.”

  Sold!

  I grabbed my throw-out pile and walked to the nearest trash can, sorting my rubbish into the appropriate bins for paper, plastic, cardboard, and trash. I walked back to my bag where Li was sitting and loaded up the remains of my stuff. My bag was considerably lighter.

  “Well, Li, it’s really nice to meet you,” I said, slowly standing from my crouched position.

  “You too, Ryn,” he said, just as slowly.

  So should I do it? I honestly wasn’t sure. I was still a mess over Brian. I was terrified that what Li thought of me wouldn’t turn out to be what I was, and that he would regret ever talking to me.

  There were so many things about me that I knew a lot of guys would find difficult or possibly even repulsive. The fact that I used to cut myself. The fact that I have a guy for a best friend, even if he is gay. The fact that my last boyfriend made me super insecure and I’m constantly seeking validation. The f
act that I’m on psychotropic drugs and will be going back to therapy with Dr. Hector this summer in an attempt to stabilize enough to get off them.

  These were all perfectly reasonable reasons for someone to bow out gracefully, and I was scared of what Li would think of me once he found them all out. I mean, granted, he had a best friend who had dealt with some serious issues, but that was a little different from someone you’re dating. Even Brian didn’t know everything about my past and why I was in therapy—he just knew that I had issues. But the time for that was over. If I were going to date someone, I wanted them to know everything. I wanted them to go into it with eyes wide open. I wanted them to have the chance to say “this is too much” before I got attached.

  What would Rae and Mitzy say? I could almost hear them in my head. Rae would tell me to do it because Li is pretty hot. Mitzy would tell me to do it because it would be a good opportunity to expand my social network, or some other equally obscure reference to etiquette.

  What would Paul say? Paul would tell me that this would be good for me. That Li had done nothing wrong for me not to trust him, and that over time, if he was the kind of guy I deserved, he would earn my trust. That I should have the chance to learn how a guy is supposed to treat a girl.

  I had made up my mind to answer him just as Paul walked out of the lecture hall.

  “Hey, Ryn. How’d you do?”

  “I think I did excellent,” I replied, giving a sidelong glance at Li as he stood.

  Paul, ever the astute one, got the hint right away. “Hey man, I’m Paul,” he said, extending his hand.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Li.”

  “So where are you and Ryn going?”

  My jaw dropped. “Paul!” I cried, exasperatedly.

  Li took it right in stride. “Well, if Ryn is up for it, I was planning on taking her to coffee at Dino’s.”

  “Dino’s, nice. Are they still doing open mic night?”

  Li nodded. “Yeah. I have a friend playing there tomorrow night, so I usually go to support him after I get back from the skate park.”

  “Excellent. Well, I’ll see you back at the dorms, Ryn.”

  I stood there, flabbergasted. Paul and Li were talking about me as if I weren’t even there. It was totally rude! And how did Paul know that I was even willing to go anywhere with this guy? How did Paul know he wasn’t a creeper? I huffed, shaking my head, and Paul huffed right back at me.

  “Oh, what, Ryn? Are you telling me that you’re not going to go on a nice coffee date with this guy?”

  “I never said—”

  “And are you telling me that he didn’t pass your inspection already when he told you his coffee joint of choice would be a locally-owned small business instead of a corporate cash cow?”

  “I didn’t—”

  “And are you also telling me that the fact that he supports local music but doesn’t play it himself because he has other interests isn’t something that would make or break your decision?”

  “I wouldn’t—”

  “Ryn,” Paul taunted.

  “Paul!” I cried. This was getting embarrassing.

  “Tell the nice boy that you’d love to go on a date with him, Ryn. If you don’t, karma will come back to haunt you.”

  “Argh!” I yelled, throwing up my hands as I turned to face Li. “Yes, Li, I would love to have coffee with you. And yes, all those questions were a form of grilling you to determine whether or not you would break my heart or treat me like dirt like the last asshole I dated.”

  Li grinned. “Naturally. So now that we’re going on a date, though, do I get to grill you?”

  “Fair is fair,” I agreed, then I turned to Paul. “Do you mind walking back by yourself?”

  “Not at all. I was going to meet Dani, actually, so I’m glad that you have someone else to escort you. Bring me back a caramel scone?”

  “Sure.”

  Paul turned and walked away, but not before he gave Li what he must have thought was a sly wink.

  Apparently even my best friend has been plotting behind my back. But at least he was plotting for my advantage.

  I turned to Li. “Shall we?”

  “We shall,” he replied.

  We walked toward the exit of the building, and he held the door for me and the three people behind us as we left. Once we were down the stairs, he grabbed my hand and guided me downtown toward Dino’s, rapidly firing questions of his own to get to know me while answering every one I had in return. The conversation didn’t stop until he dropped me off at my dorm three hours later.

  Two hours after that, I got a text message from him asking me out for another date next Friday night to meet him back in Illington at Dino’s to see his friend for open mic night and have dinner.

  I told him I’d love to.

  27

  Mitzy

  I was finally home—my Tennessee home, that is—and once again, I was surrounded by boxes. Oddly enough, I was emptying them and repacking them into suitcases, so I really felt as though I wasn’t unpacking at all. I had checked and double-checked with the airlines to confirm that I really was allowed to pack two full-sized suitcases plus a carry-on, since I would be traveling internationally. I followed Mama’s philosophy to pack everything I thought I would need, then to go back and unpack it and take half. There were some things, like deodorant and my Pureology shampoo and conditioner, that I took two of because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get what I wanted overseas, and that in itself took up quite a bit of space. I supposed it was all right, though, considering it would leave me with space to bring things back that I purchased.

  In reality, my trip was taking place at a good time. I would be in Egypt during what was considered winter time here, but given the country’s latitude, I didn’t need to take very many warm clothes. I packed two sweaters instead of my original six and figured I would alternate them out and wash them in a sink or bathtub if I needed to. I had checked online and determined that Germany wouldn’t be much colder than Illington during September, so two sweaters should be sufficient. Mama already had a hair dryer that could be converted to European voltage—so I just needed an outlet converter for that—and I figured for the amount of time I would be spending over there, I would be better off just purchasing a European flat-iron once I got to England. I knew it wouldn’t be my last trip, so really it was more of an investment. As far as my digital camera was concerned, that had a built-in converter right in the battery charger, so there was no worry there.

  Packing again so soon after returning from college was an excellent excuse to clean out my closet. I had learned a lot from living in Illington about what I wore frequently and what had never left the dresser or closet in my dorm room. I let my sisters have their pick of the things I knew I would never wear again, and the rest got donated to charity. Oh, all right, that and I figured the more I gave away, the more I would have a right to buy once I went overseas!

  I was happy to be home and happy to have such an exciting thing to look forward to, but I was pleased about all the activity that was occurring while I was so temporarily at home. I needed to keep myself busy, or I knew I would start worrying about leaving for so long. Bobby, Caroline, Emma, Billy, and I took it upon ourselves to revamp a bedroom and turn it into a nursery, and Mama had wept and wept at the thoughtfulness of it all. We had such a fantastic time picking out decorations and paint and turning it all over that I hardly even thought about leaving…hardly.

  Honestly, the return home had been bittersweet. Rae had started her drive back to Evansdale after her last exam on Thursday, and she had opened the floodgates, as far as tears were concerned, among our group of friends. I was glad to know that she had a rekindled friend in Dave Baxter to go home to. I would have been pretty worried about her otherwise.

  I had realized over the past year that not all people went to college desperately missing their families and friends and hometowns like I had, that some people left to run away from everything they had ever known to get a fre
sh start. That some people really did have things worth running away from, but that the moment they went home they would actually have to face them again.

  In essence, things had turned out exceptionally well for Rae in the end. I’m sure none of us would ever quite forget the Bradley Davises of the world. I only hoped that he got his head on straight when it came to his high school girlfriend, Kim. She deserved better than being lied to.

  Looking back, I know that Illington had taught me several things outside the realm of books. That sure, some people might go to college to get away from it all, and even that there were some people who could have stood to go even a little bit farther from home to get away from things in their past that were unhealthy for them. But I also learned that sometimes it wasn’t entirely feasible for them to do so. I guess that between the three of us, Ryn had had the most difficult year of all, and she was the one with the most easily accessible support network.

  We’d never told her, but Rae and I had found her medication under the futon one afternoon while we were tidying up and Ryn was at class. We looked it up on the internet and learned what it was for—including the background of the prescribing physician. I felt guilty for days afterward, like I had been snooping through something I had no business snooping through, but I think it helped me and Rae to understand her a little bit better. I had no idea what would warrant Ryn being prescribed such extensive medications, but I knew it must be serious. And I also knew that when the time was right, she’d tell us. Until then, all I could do was just be a friend to her and be there for her if she ever needed me. Honestly, though, I think that if she ever needed anyone, she would go to Paul, and that was fine by me. Paul was an excellent guy, and I knew he’d take care of her. Which was another reason I was so glad he’d be living with us next year.

  We had all signed the lease together, and the apartment complex was fully aware of students’ unique situations when it came to nine versus twelve-month leases. Each room of the apartment was technically leased separately, so just in case you ended up with a flaky roommate who paid rent late or, Lord forbid, didn’t pay it at all, the rest of you weren’t punished. I would share a joining bathroom with Rae and Ryn would share with Paul, but we each had our own rooms and the kitchen and living room were communal spaces. I was pretty sure that Ryn had already devised a plan to replace her showerhead with an expensive one she had picked up at Bed, Bath & Beyond.