Page 24 of Under His Protection
“It wasn’t,” I agree. “Thanks.”
“Do you have plans for dinner tonight? Would you like to go into town with me and get something? Just as friends, of course.”
This guy just won’t give up. “No, thanks. I’ve got too much homework.”
He frowns. “Our dorm is sponsoring a Game Night Friday evening. Are you planning to attend?”
“Nope. I already have plans Friday night.”Thank you, Layla.
He gathers up his class materials. “With your boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“Your loss,” he says as he shoves his things into his backpack. “I guess I’ll see you in class Friday.” And then he walks away.
On my way back to the dorm, I stop at the student union to grab a yogurt and I find a seat outside and eat it on the green. As I watch all the students coming and going, I feel such a sense of freedom.
College is nothing like high school, where students are put under a pretty strict schedule and herded from class to class like cattle. This is totally different. We make our own schedules. It’s a whole different vibe, and I love it.
Back at my dorm, I dig my keychain out of my purse and unlock the door. When I step inside and flip on the light switch, I notice there’s a sheet of paper at my feet. It’s another one of those flyers for Friday’s Game Night. Someone must have slipped it under the door.
There’s a handwritten note on it in small capital letters.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE, HALEY.
My heart skips a beat when I see my name written on the flyer. There’s no signature, though, so I have no idea who left this for me.
I wad up the sheet of paper and throw it in the trash can.
* * *
That night, I call all my parents. First my dad and Erin. They want to know all about my classes and how I like the dorm. I tell them everything’s great, of course. I don’t tell them about creepy Mark or the anonymous note written on the Game Night flyer. I don’t want to give them any reason to worry about me.
After I talk to my dad, I call my mom and Dave. They ask me the same questions, and I give them the same answers. I hate keeping things from my parents, but I know they’ll worry like crazy if I tell them, so I keep it to myself.
My last phone call is to Philip. I know hearing his voice will make me forget about everything else.
“Hey, babe. How’s it going?” He’s breathing hard.
“It sounds like you’re busy. Should I call back later?”
“No! I’m done anyway. Today was shoulder day, and then, because I wasn’t sore enough, I ran five miles on the treadmill. I just need some water.” He guzzles what sounds like an entire water bottle.
“Do you need to grab a shower now?”
“It can wait. I’d rather talk to you.”
He asks me about my day. I tell him about Layla’s incident in our history class. I leave out any mention of Mark and the flyer. “What about you? How was your day?”
“Much less eventful than yesterday, that’s for sure.”
“Hey, before I forget, Layla and Jason invited us over to their place Friday evening for dinner. Jasmine and Liam, too. She said there’s something they want to talk to us about.”
“Sounds great.”
“So, it’s okay if I tell them we’ll be there?”
“Sure. I’ll stop by your dorm Friday and pick you up.”
