Beginnings (12 page)

Chapter 15

“What did the note say?” Haley asked.

It was after ten and we were at one of the local collage bars sharing a pitcher of beer.

“That he shouldn’t scrunch his shoulders up so much when he studies, it makes him look like a forty year old accountant. He used to tell that to me all the time.”

Haley looked disappointed, “I thought it would be something romantic, or maybe letting him know to come join you for a beer later.” She genuinely looked crushed. “Do you think he came to the library hoping you'd be there?” Her spirits were up again at a possible romantic encounter.

I shrugged, “If he did, then why did he ignore me?”

“Yeah, but he did ask about Jeremy. You should have told him yes to see his reaction.”

“It could have been that he saw me making out with a girl last night at some party,” Jeremy chimed in.

“What party?” Haley shot him an evil look.

“I don't know, some girl approached me after class and gave me the address. You were at a frat party and Anna was passed out on the couch, so I decided to check it out.”

“Who goes to a party by themselves?” Haley was trying to act cool but I could tell it was bothering her.

“The kind that isn't intimated by people, and needs to get laid.”

“You're such a man whore! How many girls have you been with this week? Four?”

“Two, give me a break, I'm young.  What am I supposed to do when hot girls throw themselves on me practically undressing themselves before we even start kissing? Besides, you're one to talk.”

“I do not sleep around!”

Great, why do they always do this?

“Uh, isn’t that Adam?” Jeremy changed the subject.

Haley and I both shot our heads in the direction he was glancing. Adam was at a tall table near the bar, with a group of guys from his fraternity. I immediately turned away.

“Stop staring! Haley, look at me!”

“I wanted to see,” she pouted.

“I don't want to draw attention, I don't think he knows we're here.” Why I felt the need to whisper was beyond me, the bar was filling up quickly and nobody could hear us.

“He knows,” Jeremy said casually drinking his beer. “That's how I knew he was here. I felt someone watching us and when I looked over he was staring at you.”

I instantly felt self-conscious, which I hate. I finished my beer hoping it would relax me. Haley topped our glasses off before getting up.

“What are you doing?” I knew Haley was up to something, which wasn't always in my favor.

“You'll see.” She was facing the wall, her back to the bar while she adjusted her bra, pushing her breasts up more.

Yup, this was one of those times
.

She grabbed the empty pitcher and made her way past Adam's table. We watched as his whole table, including Adam, turned their heads to follow her to the bar.

One of them said something to make her turn around. I knew that smile she wore; they didn't stand a chance. They exchanged some words and she came over to them. Within a minute she had them all smiling and laughing.

“How does she do that?” Jeremy asked in awe. “How does she have the natural ability to make people worship her?”

She motioned in our direction and they all turned to stare at us.

“Great,” I mumbled.

Jeremy stood up and started walking over. Haley was eying me to follow, but I wasn't budging. I couldn't believe she was doing this to me.

As soon as Jeremy reached the table he had them all laughing. Some of them were staring at him with admiration. I hated them both. I wasn't like them. I didn't know how to charm a crowd with my wit, nor did I want to.

Fine. They can have their fun, but I'm not moving.
I continued drinking my beer in my best indifferent manner, one I had mastered after my parents death.

The only problem was I was missing time with Adam. I really hated when they teamed up against me, but I also didn't want to let my stubbornness get in the way of talking to Adam. It didn't take long for Adam to win out.

I made my way over and stood next to Jeremy who put his arm around my neck and pulled me in to whisper in my ear.

“Well played,” and then he kissed my hair.

He's done that countless times before, but this time his lips lingered longer then usual and I knew he did it on purpose. I desperately wanted to ask him what he meant when he said that.

“This is my cousin Anna,” Haley moved her hand in my direction in such a way that I felt like I was on display.

One of the boys let out a low whistle, “Cousins, damn. I want to go to your next family reunion.”

“They're actually quite boring. Haley and I usually end up skinny dipping in a near by lake.”

His mouth dropped open, “Marry me.”

I giggled.
Did I seriously just giggle?

“Hello, boys!”

I cringed. I knew that voice.

Charlotte came sauntering over, landing a fat kiss on Adam. Two of her friends joined the table. “Oh, Haley, what a nice surprise. I see you've wasted no time finding a table to flirt with.”

I really hate her.

“How could I not want to talk to the hottest guys here,” she gave them her most dazzling smile.

Jeremy was in a lively discussion about sports and was off to the side talking while Haley started to shamelessly flirt with the boy next to her.

I wasn't sure how much longer I could stand being here watching Adam with her. The two girls that came with Charlotte had joined Jeremy's group pretending to be interested in what they said, but they were obviously trying to get Jeremy's attention.
I could probably slip out and no one would notice.
I'd finished my second beer and was starting to feel a bit fuzzy and lightheaded.

I heard Charlotte call out to someone in the bar then hurry off to talk to them. I looked at Adam and he returned my gaze. I put on a friendly smile and nodded to the other side of the room.

“Want to play darts?”

“Sure,” he answered, still maintaining his emotionless expression. He followed me over to the darts and pulled them all out of the board, handing me three.

“I've actually never played,” I would've been embarrassed if it wasn't for the alcohol.

He laughed, “Then why did you ask me?”

“I don't know. You intrigue me,” the alcohol was affecting me more than I'd thought.

“It's funny you say that,” he chuckled, then shook his head.

“Why?”

“Nothing. Here, I'll show you what to do.”

I was terrible at darts. People actually moved further away from us. At one point Adam was laughing so hard he spit his water out all over himself and parts of me. His face looked like he'd just been caught stealing, making me bust out laughing. We must have gotten loud because Charlotte appeared out of nowhere.

“You two have been laughing all night. What's so funny?” Her hands were on her hips and she stood in a way that let you know she did not approve.

“Hey, baby,” he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her.

Baby? Yuck
.

Adam's arm was still around her while he reached his other hand in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He took out a fifty dollar bill and handed it to her.

“Why don't you go buy the guys a round of drinks,” he kissed her lips. “Say it's on you.”

“Okay, baby. Don't be long,” she leaned into him and let her mouth wrap around his, making a big show of it before heading to the bar. I felt my dinner rise up.

He was studying my face, “You don't like her do you?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Oh, I don't know, maybe it's the distaste your face shows any time she's around.”

“We're very different people. I've known her for a long time. She's always...” I trailed off, not wanting to go into detail. “It doesn't really matter why.”

He looked over at his table to find Charlotte fiercely staring at us.

“I better go.” He hesitated for a moment, “I live at the frat house, which gets crazy. That's why I go to the library.” He paused contemplating something, “I'll be there Monday at ten.” He lifted his hand in farewell then left me standing there staring after him.

********

“You had the whole table fascinated by you! You were brilliant!”

We were back in the apartment munching on popcorn. I stuffed a handful in my mouth.

“Because I mentioned skinny dipping? That's sad if that's all it takes.”

“Haley's talking about the stunt you pulled at our table right before you joined all of us. Although mentioning getting naked with Haley sealed the deal,” Jeremy was grinning, looking proud.

“You mean when I was pissed at the two of you for leaving me?” This wasn't making any sense.

“We knew you were mad because we know you so well, but you came across as sexy and unattainable. The way you looked at their table right before you turned to drink your beer was perfection. You regarded them like they were the least interesting table, instead of some of the hottest guys on campus who happen to be in the top fraternity,” Haley explained, looking impressed.

I still didn't get it.

“They're used to girls throwing themselves at them.” Jeremy took over, “Then you turn your back on them looking sexy as hell, acting as though you prefer your own company to theirs. It left them all wanting a piece of you.”

“That's ridiculous!” I cried.

“I agree, but you've mastered the art of looking unapproachable and disinterested,” Jeremy replied.

“So I came across as a bitch?”
Great.

“Well, yeah, basically, but you've always been like that,” Jeremy shrugged.

“Perfect,” I grumbled.

Jeremy pushed his arm against me, “Hey, you and Adam seemed to be having fun. I didn't even know he could smile and then I find the two of you playing darts laughing the whole time. He couldn't take his eyes off you.”

I perked up, “Yeah?”

“Definitely,” Haley nodded her head in agreement.

Chapter 16

I overslept on Monday and arrived twenty minutes late. I tried not to beat myself up for missing time with Adam, but it didn't work.
Later I'm going to go and buy the most annoyingly loud alarm clock I can find
.

When I reached our table he was there immersed in his work. As usual, he didn't acknowledge me when I sat down, but I thought I saw a slight upturn of his lips. I started studying making sure to place an opened book in front of the empty seat next to me.

Two hours later I was tired of playing his game. I crumbled up a piece of paper and threw it at him. He grabbed it and stared at it like it was some foreign object he's never seen before. He finally looked at me a half smile on his face.

“Can I help you with something?”

“Nope, just bored. I needed a break. How can you go so long without stopping?”

“I've spent years doing nothing but studying,” he moved the paper ball back and forth between his hands, “I can go all day just sitting here.”

I frowned, that tugged at my heart. I tried not picturing Adam locked up in his room with tutors all day long, “What do you do for fun?”

He looked to be in serious thought about this, “I like working out.”

I stared at him, expecting him to say more.

“That's it?”

He shrugged, “I haven't had time for much else.” “Why?”

He gazed at me, “It's complicated.” He threw the paper back at me and continued working. Conversation over.

I sighed,
why is it so hard to get close to him?
It's Adam
. I'd just assumed we'd instantly click. I had to figure out a way for this Adam to open up to me. I slid into the seat across from him.

“Do you like poetry?”

“Not really,” he answered never looking up.

“You really need to lighten up!” He was seriously irritating me. I got up, grabbed my stuff, and walked out.

The next day I went back during my break between classes, but he never showed up.

********

Work was unusually slow Wednesday night, which I was grateful for. I was grumpy that Adam hadn't returned to the library yet. Well, at least not when I was there.
Maybe he's avoiding me?
I pushed that thought aside; it would only make me grumpier.

The food was ready for one of my two occupied tables. While I was setting the food down on the table, I noticed Dale seating a couple in one of my booths.

My insides started to churn when I recognized the couple: Adam and Charlotte.
Why me?
I straightened out my shoulders and walked confidently to their table.

“Good evening, Charlotte,” I then looked to Adam, “Adam. Can I get you any drinks?”

Adam wore his usual expressionless face and Charlotte looked like she could hardly wait to torture me.

“I'll have a lemon drop,” she smiled at me like we were old friends.

“You're not twenty-one.”

“So.”

“
So
, I can't serve alcohol to you.”

“You're kidding me?”

“Nope.”

She reached into her purse and handed me her fake I.D.

“This is fake.”

“No it's not,” she glared at me, but I wasn't going to back down, not to her.

“Yes, it is. Plus, I've known you forever and know you're younger than me.”

“Why do you always have to be such a bitch,” she sneered at me.

“So just water then?” I raised my brows letting her know to stop wasting my time.

“Yeah, water will be fine,” Adam intervened, finally speaking up.

“Do you need a few minutes before you order?” I didn't look at them, keeping my eyes down on my notepad.

“Yes, please,” Adam answered.

I turned and went to the kitchen.

I had to hold myself back from screaming at him,
Why her!
How can you be with her!
I let my anger fuel me so it would overpower the pain;
I'd wallow in pity later when I was alone.

I walked back out but came to a stop. My manager was handing Charlotte a lemon drop apologizing for my behavior and offering them a free appetizer. He took their order then came storming over to me with fire in his eyes.

“Kitchen!” He sternly said under his breath. I reluctantly followed behind him. “The woman at the table informed me of how rude you were to her and how you insisted her I.D. Was fake. She's very upset.”

“It is a fake.”

“It looked real to me.” He handed me their order, “Their drinks are compensated and it's coming out of your check.”

I was furious now.

They only ordered salads so it didn't take long for their meal to be ready. I brought it out to them.

“Can I get you anything else?” I asked through clenched teeth.

“Our waters? Poor Adam's had nothing to drink this whole time. I'm surprised they allow you to work here.”

I didn't respond, just went and got them their waters.

“Is that it?”

“For now,” she answered smugly.

It took everything I could to not throw the water in her face.

I headed over to bring them their check after I saw Charlotte get up to go to the bathroom.

“Sorry about that,” Adam said apologetically when I handed him the bill, “Don't let her bother you. She's just possessive over me and was jealous of the time we spent together the other night.”

“She doesn't bother me, I can handle her. What bothers me is why someone like you is with someone like her.”

“It's complicated.”

I rolled my eyes, “Whatever.” I was sick of him never answering my questions.

He ran both hands through his hair. He used to do that all the time when he was over-thinking something. I paused, hoping he would open up to me.

“She's an old family friend. It makes my parents happy to see me with her. The happier they are with me the more freedom I get.”

“So you're using her?” I tried to hide the disgust I felt.

“She's not exactly innocent in all this. She wants the status of being my girlfriend and the luxuries that go with the Kenward name.”

“Wow, that sounds like the beginnings of true love,” I snapped before heading off. For once I was relieved to see Adam leave. I didn't know who had me more frustrated. I couldn't sleep that night. My mind refused to get past Adam being with her, it was driving me insane.

I was still hopeful I'd see Adam at the library the next day, but when I got there it was empty. I tried to study but I was too depressed. My head snapped up when I heard someone close by. Adam sat down at the table barely glancing my way. He looked tired; it bothered me to see the dark circles under his eyes.

“I have something for you,” I reached down into my bag. If I couldn't be there for him as a friend, I hoped to bring him comfort another way.

“For me?” I could hear the surprise in his voice. I brought out his favorite book of poems and handed it to him. He grabbed it, almost afraid, then turned it back and forth to view it.

“Read it and tell me what you think.”

“Okay,” he opened it up to get started.

“You don't have to right now,” I said, holding back laughter at his obedience. “You can borrow it.”

“I know.”

He read the book the rest of the time there, and kept reading it when I left. I was dying to know what he thought. I wondered if this Adam would get as much pleasure from it as the old Adam.