Page 3 of This I Promise You
“You will.”
“You’re kinda bossy, ya know.” A statement. Not a question.
“What? Because I’m a woman I can’t be assertive and get what I want without being labeled as ‘bossy’?” She air quotes “bossy” with her perfectly manicured nails that make her fingers look like they’re ten miles long. They are also the same wine color. Seems like a fashion no-no to me, yet she looks amazing. I bet her bag matches too.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant—” I try, but she talks over me.
“Is it ’cause I’m black?”
“What? No!”
“It’s ’cause I’m an Aries, isn’t it?” She snaps her head back.
“What doesthathave to do with anything?”
“Everything and nothing apparently. Listen, this will be good for both of us.” She leans forward and smiles. “You clearly just moved here and need someone to be your spirit guide and webothcould use each other’s help with this living situation. Plus, you’re hot.”
“I’m gay.” It comes out like I’m claiming to be a serial killer and she should heavily reconsider.
“I’m bi. So what?” The girl is unfazed.
“Gah, who the fuck even are you?”
“I’m Huxley Davenport. Thank you very much.” She tilts her head. “And you are?”
“Paul. Acre.”
“So, you in or nah, Paul?”
I relent because at this point, I literally couldn’t care less. I just want this conversation to end. “What the fuck ever. Fine. I don’t care.”
“You do, but that’s okay.” Huxley’s still smiling, the victory hers.
“Are you a psychology major or something?” I squint. She has to be.
“Interior Design, actually. You?”
“That makes sense for you, I guess. English for me.”
“English major and yet you are positively the worst at having a conversation. We’ll fix that. This is going to be fun.” She claps like London Tipton with the relentless smile on her face. She’s radiating sunshine.
“Oh shit, I’m going to regret this.” I say and rub my temples.
“Oh, never.” She winks.
“How did you know I just moved here anyway?”
“It’s a gift.”
Easton
No Show for Easton
“You brought the drinks in, right?” Aidan asks, shutting the door behind him and Tyler.
“Yeah,” I say.You really think I’m going to forget them?“I brought ’em in after my run.”
We went out for dinner earlier for A’s birthday, and then I let him and Ty go off on their own to do I don’t want to know what, while I went back to the dorm and finished some reading for class. All I know is Aidan wanted to go stargazing, so they drove like thirty minutes away to get out of the city.
