CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 1 4

MYRA

Balancing act

I SPENT MOST of the weekend cloistered in my room studying. While it was true I had plenty of schoolwork to keep me busy, I also didn't want to venture out for fear of who I might run into. The events of Friday night still had me slightly off-balance and I didn't know how to deal with them. It was causing me no end of anxiety just thinking about my literature class on Monday and how Ron might treat me. Would he look at me differently or expect something from me, or would he simply pretend the kiss had never happened? I was sure he kissed plenty of girls. A guy like him, with his good looks and outgoing personality likely had girls constantly flocking around him. After obsessively dissecting it from every angle, I concluded my best course of action was to pretend it had never happened .

Then there was the other one. Julianus. I could still feel the heat of his chest beneath my hand, the way his body molded to mine when he held me against him. Why was he at the bar, and why did he grab me? He said he was thinking about me. Yes, I was still a little angry about him assuming he had some right to question who I was with, but I couldn't deny the thrill I got from his jealousy. Was that wrong of me?

The whole situation had me out of sorts and unable to concentrate on anything. I was almost grateful when, on Sunday afternoon, Kristin suggested we head into town to go shopping. I wasn't interested in buying anything, but I was up for whatever it took to get me out of my own head at this point.

I made one stipulation while we were heading across campus toward the gates–no talking about men.

Kristin pouted at first. "What fun would that be?"

"I just need a man-free day, okay?"

"He really got to you, didn't he?"

I threw her a warning look and she made a motion as if to zip her lips. "I promise. No boy talk today. So what do you want to talk about? Please don't say school."

"Tell me about you. I don't know anything about you other than you came to Whitfield last year."

Kristin warmed to the subject immediately, just as I had suspected. She liked talking about herself, and soon she had regaled me with tales of her high school accomplishments–homecoming queen, cheerleader, captain of her softball team that had gone to the state championship. This last surprised me.

"I didn't know you were the athletic type."

We were heading into Threads, a popular clothing boutique along the main road out of campus. Kristin said she wanted to look for a new outfit, but I suspected she was more interested in making good on her promise to upgrade my wardrobe. She plucked a moss green sweater dress off the rack and held it up to me.

"My guidance counselor urged me to have a well-rounded extracurricular resume to get into college. This would look great with your eyes."

I had to admit, the dress was spectacular, with its bulky knit, long sleeves, and cowl neck. I held it against me and glanced at myself in the mirror. "It's awfully short."

"You've got great legs. Add some black tights and you'll be set."

I glanced at the tag and had a moment of panic; that was almost half my monthly expenses. Kristin smirked at my reaction. "A girl's got to spend a little to look good."

"Yeah, but I'm not rich."

"Priorities. One less book or cup of coffee here or there and it all evens out. Come on, let's find me something now."

We spent the next hour trying on clothes and I had to admit I was having a good time. I ended up buying the dress, some tights, and a cropped black sweater that would go well with one of my longer skirts. I tried not to think about how much I was spending, but then, Kristin was right. It had been a long time since I'd bought anything to wear.

Once we had shopped our fill, we decided to head down the street to a small Mexican restaurant for dinner. Because of the early hour, there was only one other table occupied in the restaurant, an older couple who sat on the same side in the booth with their heads bent close in deep conversation.

"Aren't they cute?" Kristin remarked as the server brought us our menus .

"They come in here every Sunday," the server said with a grin. "They've been married for over forty years and still look like they're madly in love."

I glanced over at the couple and wondered what it would be like to be with someone that long. I could feel the beginnings of a new story blooming in my head, and part of me wanted to go over and talk to the couple. I resisted the temptation, not wanting to intrude or leave Kristin alone, but I resolved to pull out my journal and jot down some notes when I got back to the room.

The sun was setting by the time we finished eating. Kristin suggested we stop for a drink before heading back to the dorm, but I begged off with the excuse that I had spent enough money today. The sidewalks in the bar district were becoming clogged with the usual evening crowds, meaning we had to walk single file to navigate the tide.

We had just crossed the street that would take us back to the campus when I felt that tingling sensation across my skin again. I looked up and spotted him standing directly in our path. His gray eyes held mine, causing my pulse to quicken and my mouth to go dry. I stopped walking, transfixed, while Kristin continued on, and some part of me was grateful for that. I realized I didn't want to share him with her, like he was a secret I wanted to keep to myself. He closed the distance between us and reached up to place a single finger against my lips, sending a shockwave through me. All I could think about at that moment was feeling those lips pressed to mine, to be crushed in the embrace of his hard body.

He shook his head as if he knew what I was thinking.

"Not now," he murmured, his voice caressing me, his lips twitching up in a slow, secret promise. "Your friend is waiting. "

I looked ahead to where Kristin had stopped and was glancing around for me. When I turned back, he was gone. As if I had imagined seeing him.

? ? ?

At Kristin's insistence, I wore the new dress on Monday. I'd also pulled my hair back the way Kristin had done on Friday night and almost didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror.

"Looking hot, girl," my roommate teased. "Ron won't know what hit him."

I wasn't wearing this for Ron. Was I? I pushed the thought from my head as I headed out across campus for my first class, but I couldn't help noticing some of the heads that turned my way when I passed.

"You're attracting attention," Kristin murmured next to me.

"It's more likely you are. That outfit is hot."

Kristin did look good today in the new ensemble she had bought, but then, she always did. She slipped her arm through mine and grinned. "Consider us the deadly duo today."

"Deadly?"

"To them," she winked as a couple of guys walked past and smiled at us.

I had never been the object of male appreciation and I squirmed inwardly at the attention. Kristin squeezed my arm as though she could sense my reluctance. "Relax, girl. Just enjoy the ride."

We were entering Providence Hall, where most of my classes were, and a female voice called out to Kristin. "I'll catch up with you later," Kristin promised as she turned to greet her friend. I continued down the hall and up the stairs for my first class.

The morning passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for my literature class. I couldn't help feeling nervous as I approached the room. Ron was already there, leafing through his notebook. He looked up as I entered and when his face split into a wide grin I could feel myself grow flushed.

"Wow," he said as I slid into my seat. "You look great today."

"Kristin took me shopping yesterday," I replied.

"Well, I approve."

I noticed he had Frankenstein opened in front of him. "Did you read it?"

He nodded. "Seems you're a good influence on me. I spent most of the weekend reading. Not quite finished yet. It's a lot different than the movies."

"Most books are," I agreed.

Mr. Edmonds entered and took his customary perch on the front of his desk. "Let's talk monsters," he opened.

The class turned out to be one of the more lively ones of the semester so far, with a spirited discussion that quickly veered off topic. Surprisingly, Edmonds allowed it, for once letting the students dictate the conversation, and in no time the hour was up.

"Okay, people, continue to read Frankenstein for next time. Those of you who would like extra credit can give me a paper on any of the themes we discussed today, to be handed in next week."

Ron followed me out of the classroom and fell into step with me as we navigated the hallway .

"So, I was wondering," he said as we approached the stairway. "Would you consider going out with me?"

I didn't know what to say at first. "Um…" I could hear Kristin's voice in my head. Go for it, girl. "Okay."

"Great. Give me your phone."

I fished my phone out of my purse and handed it to him and he entered his number in my contacts then sent himself a text.

"I'll text you when I get out of class."

I watched him walk off and tried to calm my shaky nerves. A date. Could I go on a date?

"Kristin is going to love this," I murmured to myself as I headed toward the cafeteria to meet my roommate for lunch.