Free Chasing Peace by Gloria Foxx Page B

get this?” My finger traces the scar from
below his ear to just above his jaw.” He smiles and the end puckers into a
dimple, right where it should be, but about an inch too low.
    “That’s a story for another time. I left your car in the
lot, your keys on the desk. Go back to sleep now. I’ll see you later.”
    Yet again he slips out on me. It’s what I want, yet it leaves
me feeling so alone, when I never feel alone.
    * * *
    With my elbow propped on the armrest that supports the
attached half desk, I unconsciously relax my wrist until my hand hangs limp at
the end of my arm.
    I contemplate how my plans could be so out of whack only
weeks into the semester. I’d planned to focus solely on studies, committed to
eliminating distractions, and that includes friends, parties and boyfriends.
Now here I think I might like to be friends with Annie and Boston maybe a
little more.
    Shaking my head in irritation, the fingers from my left hand
slide into position over my right and without thought I push, forcing the limp
hand and fingers inward until my wrist cracks.
    “Ewww. Did you seriously just pop your wrist?” The voice
comes from a girl across the room. Her look of disgust mars an otherwise pretty
face framed by long dark hair.
    “I did seriously.” I emphasize the word seriously with a
similar nasal twang and just enough boredom to mimic her tone.
    Laughter erupts from a guy sitting two desks away.
    “Sorry,” I say to him, ignoring the girl. “I broke my wrist
a couple months back and the occasional popping makes it feel better.” I’m not
at all concerned about what the girl thinks. I spent a lot of time on my own
and learned quickly that contrary to high school, other people’s opinions don’t
much matter, unless they’re your boss.
    “No need to apologize,” he says. “I’ve never heard that
before, but it makes sense.”
    Annie had been quiet during the exchange. When I look her
way, her wide brown eyes connect with mine. A slight frown between her brows
questions my response as if she doesn’t quite believe me, but she says nothing.
    * * *
    Annie and I walk over to the sandwich shop for dinner after
class. We haven’t talked since the party and have some catching up to do. When
we arrive I order a turkey and avocado sandwich, she a turkey with brie.
    “I see you’ve recovered from the party.”
    “Ugh. I have one class on Friday and it’s not until two.
Would you believe I almost didn’t make it?”
    “I totally believe it. How did you get so wasted? We were
only there a couple hours.”
    “I’ve never played beer pong before. I guess I’m pretty bad.”
    “Still, you shouldn’t have been that drunk.”
    “Oh, I don’t like beer, so they let me play with shots.”
    “Seriously Annie?”
    “Well I said I’m not very good.” She juts out her lower lip
as she shrugs.
    “You know Boston had to carry you to the car.”
    “Great.” She rolls her eyes making it clear she doesn’t
consider it great at all. “Did he use the cradle hold or ass in the air? They
each have their merits.”
    “You’ve considered the merits?” I ask wide-eyed.
    “At my size, guys don’t usually think twice before picking
me up and hauling me around. How did he do it?”
    “I guess ass in the air.” I picked the closest description. “He
carried you across both shoulders, holding a leg with one hand, arm with the
other.”
    “You mean the fireman? Oh man, that’s embarrassing.”
    “I tried to tell him, but he said it’s your own damn fault
for getting so drunk.”
    “Well that’s true. So what’s going on with you and Boston?”
    “Nothing. Why?”
    She studies me for a minute, eyes questioning.
    “What happened at the party? Did you guys hookup?”
    “No.” Disdain curls my lip and furrows my brow at the
question.”
    “It’s not such a ridiculous question. You invited him to the
party.”
    “I invited him for you Annie.”
    “You know I’m in a relationship. I told you. Besides