Inconsequential (J+P series) (2 page)

Chapter 3

“Unbelievable!  I cannot believe we lost in the last quarter.” Greg muttered while shaking his head in disbelief.

“I know, the quarterback should have just wrapped up the ball with a bow and handed it to the other team.” David scoffed.

I was rubbing my hands together so quickly to try and get any warmth to flow through them.  “Can we pick up the pace please?  I am afraid if we are out here much longer that I will be a Popsicle.”

“Perry the Popsicle, that’s a tempting thought!” Teased David.  I smacked his arm for that remark and snickered.

“Ow, sorry, sorry - couldn’t help it,” he laughed.  I raced ahead and I could hear them pick up the pace behind me.  I was glad we lived so close to the stadium.  It was exciting to see the crowds gather before the home games AND it made for shorter walks home.

Once inside the dorm I turned to the boys and asked, “Pizza?  I’ll call it in?”  I was hoping they would agree.  I really felt like some yummy pizza on this cold Sunday. 

“I’m in, you know what I like on mine, doll.  Meet you in Greg and Jared’s room in 30 minutes,” said David.

“In, and thanks for asking to use my room as a dining hall knucklehead!” Greg said as he swatted David’s head.  David countered with a small jab in Greg’s ribs and both were chuckling about their mini-fight.  They played around like brothers, you could tell this was an old friendship.

“Hey David, why weren’t you here last year?” It had just dawned on me that he and Greg were the same age but I never saw David last year.

“I was Perry, I was just across campus living in a studio apartment with Jim.  Greg convinced us to live in the dorms this year.” He replied.

“Huh, I never saw you.  Oh well, now I see more of you than I care to.” I teased. “See you in 30 boys,” and I turned and headed to my room.

On my way to the room I knocked on Jen’s door and Mags’ door to invite them for pizza.  Mags was not in her room but Edward opened Jen’s door.

“We are getting a pizza and ...” and I stopped mid-sentence because Mags was here eating pizza and hanging out with Edward and Jen.  “Never mind” I smiled.  “Looks like great minds think alike.”

“Yeah, sorry, we ordered and you weren’t around.  Would you like some?” Jen asked.

“Thanks, but no.  I am ordering one with the guys.  Enjoy!” And I walked to my room.

Inside, Molly was studying hard.  “You look like you need a study break and some nourishment. Pizza with the boys in 30?”  I asked.

“Sure.  How was the game?  You look cold.” She inquired.

“Freezing and it was great till the last play.  We lost.  Now I need to thaw, order the pizza, and eat!  How’s studying?”

“Boring,” she giggled.  I knew what she meant.  There was so much memorization with life sciences that you felt like you didn’t want to learn anymore at times.  “You gonna study tonight?”

“Yep, after the pizza.” I then changed out of my North Pole getup into some comfy flannel bottoms and a long sleeve t-shirt.  I ordered 2 pizzas and a 2 liter.  Then I grabbed my towel and headed to the bathroom down the hall to wash my face. 

“Who all is eating with us?” Molly asked when I returned to the room.

“David, Jim, Greg, you and me, and maybe Jared.”

Molly put her books down, brushed her hair and followed me to the boys’ side for our Sunday pizza dinner.  “Are you done studying for the night then?”  I asked.

“Nah, I’m not sure I could ever be done and feel prepared enough for an Organic Chemistry test.”

“Agreed.”

When we got by the laundry rooms on the lowest level I saw Greg leaning against the door to the guys wing waiting on us.  Greg was tall and lean with a slight muscular build.  He had wavy brown hair that was cut shorter on the sides and back and messy on the top.  He was attractive, but like Jared, he was not the pin-up every girl died for.  What made guys like Greg and Jared attractive was the combination of their looks, their intelligence, their charisma, and their confidence.

“Pizza here yet Perry?” He asked.

“Not that I know of, they are supposed to call your room when they get here.”

“Cool.  Molly, what’s up?  Missed you at the game.  We were trying to see if we could turn Perry into a Popsicle with the frigid temps - you could have been a part of the fun experiment.” Greg joked.

“Ouch!” He squealed as I pinched his side.  “Sorry babe, just teasin’.’”

We cleared a spot on the floor so we could all sit around the pizza.  Jared ended up joining us but it felt awkward, almost like he was intruding on our group.  He must have sensed it too because after he ate he excused himself to work on homework while the rest of us sat around and joked.  He was not my concern anymore.  Last year I would have been worried about him or chasing after him.  But he was a waste of my time.  He clearly did not have an interest in me other than as a friend, so a friend I would be.  Not a best friend, just a friend.  I couldn’t help but look over at him and shake my head.  I wasted so much time and emotion on pursuing him, and it led to nowhere. 

After we helped clean up, Molly and I said our goodbyes and excused ourselves back to our room.

“You should take David with you.  He could use some study time.” Greg said.

“What do you mean?  Didn’t you say he was super smart back home?”

“David, are these guys too distracting?”  I looked at him and he just gave a shrug.

“Yeah, he is just easily distracted on campus and is not studying enough.  I’m worried he is a Gabby part 2.”  Greg, referring to my underachieving freshman year flunk-out roommate, got my attention.  I didn’t choose Gabby, she just happened to be my roommate.  But David was my friend and I couldn’t watch him toss his college career out the window.

“David, grab some books - study session in my room in 5 minutes.”  He looked at me surprised but hurried into his room to gather his things. 

I was determined to help bring David into our study environment.  Maybe I could help him out and keep him from flunking.  He was already bright, he just needed a little help.

“Goodnight to you Popsicle King.” I teased Greg as I kissed his cheek goodnight. 

“Later Perry, sweet dreams,” he returned.

“Later Jared.” I said and waved.

And off Molly, David, and I went to our den of studying.

Chapter 4

“Ok, this is the last question I am answering and then you need to study!” I scolded David.

He snickered and scratched his nose, “Ok, agreed.  What did you see in Jared?  I heard you had it bad for him last year.”

“Ok, I take it back.  This study session is done.” I said as I threw a pillow at David’s head.

“What?  What’s the big deal?  Just answer the question.  Or do you still have feelings for him?”

“UGH!”  I looked around the room and found Molly just looking back at me awaiting my answer as well.  “Fine.  He is nice and a genuine good person.  He doesn’t do anything to please others, he is his own confident self and that’s kinda a turn on to me.  Plus he is super smart and ...easy on the eyes.”

David began gagging and fake vomiting and Molly laughed hysterically. 

“Never mind.  It’s in the past.  I am all about school and rockin’ the grades this year.  And speaking of grades...you need to get focused Mister!”

He put his hands up in surrender and actually began reading his textbook.  I returned to my Chemistry study sheet but could feel his eyes on me from time to time.  I didn’t dare look up. I didn’t want to encourage any attraction he had for me.  I just wanted to be friends.   I didn’t need any boy drama to distract me this year.

After 2 solid hours of studying, I was ready to call it quits for the night.

“David, you have to scoot. I am getting tired and I have an early lab tomorrow.  Pack up and I’ll escort you out.”

He packed up his stuff and said goodnight to Molly.  “Thanks for looking out for me and helping me study.”

“No problem.  Why do you think you have a hard time studying?” I asked as we walked out of the girls’ corridor..

“I think I just had a routine down at home and I haven’t found a routine here at college.  It’s easy to get distracted.”

“It sure is.  But if you aren’t careful, you could flunk out.  Do you remember the story of my roommate Gabby?”

“Wasn’t she part vampire?  Slept all day, out all night?”  We both laughed.  “But seriously, anytime you and Molly are studying, let me know.  It helped.  Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome David.  Goodnight.”  We gave a quick hug.

I retreated back to the girls’ side of the dorm but felt him watching me.  Why did I have the ability to attract guys, but had no luck landing the ones I was pursuing?  I must be doing something wrong.

I went back to my room, grabbed my shower caddy, and headed for a shower.  I couldn’t help thinking about how fortunate some of these kids were being naturally smart.  I on the other hand had to work hard for every bit of knowledge in my brain.  I spent hours with my text books just to get decent grades.  My friends could have aced every class if they worked as hard as I did at studying.  I often joked that I wanted to sleep with my book under my pillow the night before my test in case osmosis worked. Since I had a test at the end of the week I could test the osmosis theory out. 

I returned to my room freshly showered.  I hated sharing a bathroom with 40 other girls, but it felt refreshing to wash the day away.  Molly was already in her pj’s and was flipping through TV stations.  “Hey Perry, your mom called.  I told her you were in the shower.”

“Thanks, I’ll call her tomorrow.  I am pooped and need to get up early.  You going to bed soon?”

“Yep, in a few minutes.  Goodnight Perry.”

“Goodnight.”  I climbed into my side of the loft and pulled the blankets around me.  Before I knew it I was off in dreamland.

“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Perry...Happy Birthday to you.”  I make a wish and blow out the candles on the most beautiful birthday cake ever. 

I look across the room and see Jared smiling at me amongst the room full of friends and family.  Something about his smile feels like a warm embrace.  I’ve missed being around him and am glad he is here at my birthday.

The plates of cake are passed around until everyone has one.  I reach for mine and find my mom standing there holding the plate out of reach and tsking at me.  “Sorry Perry, you are on a diet.  No cake for you chubby” she smiles
. 
I look around and find that she has said this loud enough for everyone to turn their attention to me.  I am mortified that my mom is calling me fat in front of everyone, in front of Jared.

“Are you kidding me?!” I holler.  “It’s my birthday!  You aren’t going to let me have cake at my own birthday party?”

She smiles and replies “You wouldn’t want to be a heifer would you?”   I am at war with my emotions.  I want to celebrate my birthday by eating a slice of cake, but now I am repulsed by it and if I eat it, I will hear her repeat over and over about what a cow I am.  I am also embarrassed and mortified that these guests have heard this.  Jared has heard this.  And if he thought I was cute before, he will now think I am a cow.  I look across the room at Jared.  He looks stunned and in disbelief.  Everyone else is chatting and enjoying their cake, my cake, with no fear of being called a cow.   I feel the tears well up into my eyes and run away to a dark room in our house to hide in shame. 

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

My annoying alarm had
woken me from my nightmare.  I shook my head to try and get rid of the remaining negativity left behind by the dream and hop down out of the loft.  Why was I combining past events that happened in my life with current character?  Jared wasn’t at my 7th birthday party to witness this embarrassment.  I grabbed my clothes I laid out and began to dress.

“Hey Perry, what’s the temp supposed to be today?”  Molly mumbled from her bed.

“High of 55, I think.  Sweater weather.”

“Ugh, okay, thanks.” She rolled over and fell back asleep.

I finished getting ready and headed down to breakfast with my book bag.  I was thinking about my awful dream and how it felt so much worse with Jared being a witness to my mom’s humiliating words.

After grabbing some cereal and a banana, I found a quiet spot next to the window to sit and enjoy my breakfast.  I wondered why I had that dream last night.  I wondered why Jared was in it.  Maybe David asking all those questions brought him forward in my mind?  Maybe I dreamt about the birthday cake incident because Molly mentioned my mom calling right before bed?  I should meditate before bed the next time she informs me my mom phoned. 

“Penny for your thoughts.”  I looked up and found Jared sitting across from me.  I blinked several times because it seemed surreal.  It was awkward seeing him in front of me and I could not tamp down the feeling of shame that resided in me from the dream.

“Umm, just trying to figure out a weird dream I had last night.  What are you doing here?”

“Eating breakfast, like you.  I have an early class today.  What happened in the dream?”

“Ahh, nothing, it was just weird.  You were in it, believe it or not.” I laughed and looked up at him.  After I said it, I had wished I could take it back.  I did not want to discuss my dream with Jared, I guess I was just nervous and impulsive.

“All right!  I hoped I’d be in your dreams one day.  Looks like that day finally came.”  Oh no, he was flirting in his Jared way again.  I had worked so hard to separate from him and forget about him and here he was throwin’ a rope at me.

“Please.  Don’t inflate that head of yours.” I teased.  “Nah, someone mentioned your name before bed and it must have made you co-star in the dream.”

“Well, hopefully it was a good dream.”

“Actually, it was more of a nightmare, but it’s not worth talking about.”  He looked at me shocked, but laughed it off. “What’s new?  I haven’t seen you around much. “

“Yeah, same here.  I’ve just been busy with school.  Classes are more demanding this year.”

“Mine are too.  Hey Jared, I just thought of something.  I have a physics test this Friday.  I could use some help studying for it and you are a Pro at Physics.  Can you help me study for it?”  This felt like playing with fire.  I really needed the help studying, but did I need it from Jared?

“Absolutely, how about tomorrow night?”

“Yes!  Awesome.  How about 6 o’clock in your room?”

“You’re on.  Listen, great seeing ya’ but I gotta’ bolt.  See ya’ tomorrow, if not sooner Perry.”

“Bye.”

I felt a faint flicker in my heart as he flashed a smile at me before he turned to head out of the cafeteria.  It was just a study session.  Nothing more.  I needed to keep my head in the game.