Unfortunately, there was a line to check out. And this wasn’t CVS. They didn’t call extra people over to help ring up purchases for fear of you calling the corporate line and complaining.
I checked my watch as the line moved at a snail’s pace. Wayne was going to be so suspicious.
I eventually got what I needed. But I didn’t have time to actually use it. The student center was all the way on the opposite end of campus. So I had to book it in order to meet Wayne in the parking circle about ten minutes after my usual time.
Still, Wayne demanded, “What took you so long?” as soon as I slipped into the back of the car.
Luckily, I already had a lie locked and loaded. “I was consulting with Jacoby about my showcase tomorrow.”
Wayne glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his expression skeptical.
It didn’t matter if he believed me, though. The point was he didn’t know my real reason. And after tomorrow, I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.
I hoped.
The item I’d purchased from the campus bookstore ticked inside my tote like a bomb. Or an “I like you” note from a teenage gangster.
Oh, God…what would I do if what I suspected was true?
I could not jump out of the car fast enough when we got back to the house.
“Wait, hold up!” Wayne commanded, getting out of the car himself.
I froze in my tracks. Did he know?
“Victor wanted me to tell you something for your big date tomorrow,” Wayne said.
Surprise replaced the fear. “He’s still planning to take me out on a big date after my thesis presentation?”
“Yep, he told me to take you to meet him someplace special at eight,” Wayne answered. “He also told me to tell you to make sure to wear the dress. I’m assuming you know which one he’s talking about because I don’t.”
Wow…
I had cooled down. And apparently, Victor had, too.
“Yes, I do,” I answered, a new hope sparking in my chest. “Please let him know I’ll definitely wear it.”
“Will do,” Wayne said before returning to his usual post in the car.
So, not caught. I let out a secret sigh of relief as I walked toward the front door where one of the extra guards was standing outside.
“Hey, how are you?” he said as he opened the door for me. And he sounded a little friendlier than usual.
Or maybe my mood was a little lighter. I couldn’t believe that Victor was still planning on taking me on a big date after my showcase.
This new turn put the item I’d bought in a different perspective. Maybe…maybe…I should hold off on using it I decided.
After all, I had a huge presentation tomorrow. This possibly life-changing news wasn’t something I wanted in the back of my mind. And if Victor and I could talk. Like, really talk on our date, then maybe we come up with some way forward that didn’t involve imprisonment or blackmail.
Maybe Victor and me weren’t a Mika song after all.
A small kernel of hope nested in my heart as I left the item I’d bought at the campus bookstore in my tote bag.
Victor was keeping his promise. So I kept mine.
The following morning after running through my presentation a few more times, I took a long shower and pulled on the yellow cocktail dress he’d bought me. I hadn’t been eating nearly as healthy as I had during our two months of pretend. But it still fitted me perfectly, hugging my curves in a way that felt sophisticated and mature. Like a flower all grown up. And I was right about pairing it with my pink cardi. That one addition dressed it down enough to make it appropriate for a thesis presentation.
I’d taken out my braids a few days ago. And last night, instead of dealing with the item tucked away in my Aggretsuko tote, I’d done a deep conditioning treatment on my hair. So my long curls were well defined and popping above my outfit. It made me want to Instagram my entire look: Feeling cute? Think I’ll go present my thesis. #thesisonlock #loveorigins #adultingonfleek
So yeah, I was totally feeling myself as I made my way downstairs to meet Wayne in the carport. I wondered if Victor would surprise me by showing up for my official presentation too. Just in case he did, I once again rehearsed what I’d say to him.
How I’d apologized and invite him to talk. Like, really talk in a way that would maybe not make the bomb I was carrying in my tote so scary.
I was no longer a confused college student, but I couldn’t stop playing the what-if game with the night we fell apart. I’d been so excited to talk with him about the presentation after everyone left. What would’ve happened if we got to eat ice cream and chatted like the friends we used to be in high school? If Asher hadn’t kissed me? If I had kept a clear head when Victor came at me with all his accusations?
