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A week had passed since I went car shopping. I hadn't heard from Sandy or even seen her. I'd spent six days after that trip locked up in my house, drowning in thoughts and regrets. Turns out the car shopping only distracted me for a few hours.
I really missed Sandy, but I'd decided not to chase her. You can't force someone to be your friend… right? I just hoped I wasn't letting my pride get in the way of getting her back.
Starting school in the second week wasn't as bad as I expected. They hadn't covered much, so catching up wasn't hard.
"Here," I said, handing Brandon back Sam's books. He'd brought them over on Friday evening.
"Seriously?" He gave me that weird look. "You're going to the same class."
"You took them from her, so you should be the one to return them," I said, buckling my seatbelt.
"Fine!" He threw his bag in the back seat. "What happened between you two?"
"Nothing!" I said — a little too loudly. I'd spent the whole week trying to forget the kiss, but it kept replaying in my head. The urge to kiss her again grew every time I remembered it.
Honestly, I'd considered locking myself in the house again today. The thought of seeing her brought butterflies to my stomach… and a knot. It was complicated. I didn't know what to do. But I couldn't avoid classes forever just to avoid her.
"You guys were okay one minute and the next you don't want to see each other," he muttered, shaking his head. "That's not nothing."
I just shrugged.
Chase had left for school at eight, so Brandon rode with me even though his class was an hour and a half later. He said he'd spend the time in the library.
The drive was noisy, as always. Where Brandon is, there's noise. He caught me up on how his week had been. Apparently the incident at orientation had earned him a nickname and made him a little campus celebrity. People were asking for selfies and videos with him.
"Bye," he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Bye, Barbie. See you later," I smirked as I grabbed my phone and bag.
"Not you too! Spare me," Brandon whined. "You're my friend," he pouted.
"Never," I said, turning and rushing toward my class. I was already late. I walked for about five minutes trying to find the room. "I should've asked Brandon to show me where it is," I muttered, scanning the signs.
Then…
There she was. Her long, silky hair falling down her back. The black shorts hugging her body. She looked so good it knocked the air out of me.
"Are you okay?" a guy asked, tapping my shoulder. I hadn't even realized I'd stopped walking — or that I'd been staring at her. She didn't notice me at all as she walked the opposite direction. Where was she going in the middle of class?
"I'm… I'm good," I stammered. "Just lost." I scratched the back of my head and turned to him. His hair was shaved almost bald and dyed white. His right ear was pierced, though he wasn't wearing an earring.
"Where are you headed?" he asked, stuffing his hands into his hoodie pockets.
"R23B."
"It's right ahead," he said, pointing in the direction Sam had gone. "I'm going there too."
"Cool."
I followed behind him, playing with the straps of my bag. The lecturer was already in class. Heads turned when we walked in. We slipped into the back seats. The middle-aged man in front shot us a disapproving look before continuing with whatever he was saying before we interrupted.
I put my phone on silent — I didn't need a "Brandon situation." I was already thirty minutes late. I set the phone on the desk and pulled out my laptop. I preferred typing over writing.
As soon as class ended, I walked out, ignoring the guy from earlier. Sam hadn't come back. "Where could she have gone?" I wondered as I headed toward the cafeteria. I hadn't eaten anything before class.
I spotted Brandon sitting alone in a corner. I stopped by the counter, ordered an espresso and a muffin, and then walked over to him.
"Your class ended early," he said as I sat.
"What happened to yours?" He was supposed to be in class now.
"Apparently the lecturer had better things to do," he said, sipping his coffee. "He texted thirty minutes before class saying he wouldn't make it."
"Have you talked to Sam?" I asked, hoping he knew what was going on with her. It didn't seem like her to walk out of class and not return.
"Yeah. She came to pick her books."
"Did she say where she was going?" I pressed. Something felt off. I wished I had the courage to call her.
"No. Didn't she come back to class?"
"Nope," I said, biting into my muffin. "Hmm." My taste buds lit up. "It's really sweet." Brandon laughed and shook his head.
"Hi, Barbie!" some guy called out as he walked past. Brandon waved.
"Do you have another class, Barbie?" I teased.
"Jolls!" he snapped, eyes sharp.
"What?" I grinned, pretending innocence.
"I can't wait for you to get a nickname too," he grumbled. "I'll taunt you forever."
"So they can call you that, but I can't?"
"Yes."
"Do you have another class?" I asked.
"No," he sighed.
"Same." I placed my espresso cup down. "We should head home then." I stood up. A cold breeze brushed across my skin, making me shiver. The weather had changed suddenly — sunny a minute ago, now cloudy and heavy.
"Really?" he asked, getting up. "This early?"
"What do you want to do, Brandon?" I asked. It looked like it could rain any minute.
"Shopping," he said, way too excited.
"No way I'm going shopping in this weather," I said. "I just want to go home and bury myself under a blanket."
"Come on, Jolls. We haven't hung out all week," he nudged. "I miss you."
"Really? How long have you known me?"
"I know it's not long, but you're fun to hang out with."
I scoffed. "Fine. You can come over and hang out at my place."
Brandon practically jumped, then hugged me. "You're the best!" he said as I pushed him off.
"Get in before it starts raining," I said, climbing into my seat.
People were staring our way as they whispered. Their eyes were on me, not Barbie. My stomach tightened. What was going on?