“Yeah, I wanted to talk to you alone. The other night at dinner, I thought something happened but then you pulled away.”
I had no idea how to answer that. If I told Aiden the truth about how I had felt, I’d sound like a juvenile moron. Those stupid tingles! “I’m sorry I’ve come off that way. I haven’t meant to. Moving here and getting settled has been a big adjustment.”
That was definitely the truth.
Tapping my foot playfully, he gave me a smile. “Okay. Good. I had hoped I hadn’t read that wrong. Do you want to get a coffee sometime together?”
I couldn’t tell what he thought he had read wrong. There were a million possibilities and my head hurt too bad to clarify. I liked the idea of spending time with Aiden. He was easygoing and didn’t push. “That sounds fun.”
Belatedly, I realized something else he’d said. “Wait. Did you say you wrote an article for the paper?”
“Yeah. Last year, when I was a freshman, I was a research assistant. This year, I was promoted to a journalist. It’s my major.”
Knowing Aiden was only a year older than me brought a smile to my face for some unknown reason.
I was up on my knees, excitement blossoming within me. A piece of myself that I recognized came roaring to the surface. “That’s incredible. I know you’re reporting on events, but researching is one of my favorite things to do.”
“Really, well, they’re hiring. The paper is looking for another research assistant.” Aiden sat up and our knees touched. Again, I’d be remembering how this felt for days. I was losing my mind.
I stood shifting my backpack on my shoulders. “Can you take me there to apply? Or tell me where? Aiden, this sounds perfect. I was going to look for a job this week.”
Aiden chuckled. “The paper is closed today, but we’ll meet up tomorrow after your last class. I’ll talk to Tasha, my boss, in the morning before my first class. How does that sound?”
I sunk back to the ground. “Sounds good. I guess I got a little excited.”
“Aiden, what are you doing out here? We’re supposed to be meeting over at the house to plan the upcoming party.” Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. When I attended class at The Society, the teacher would do that to get everyone’s attention at the beginning even though we were quiet.
The girl looked familiar. As I scrolled through the different faces I had met, I thought she was one of the girls who had been glaring from the sidelines when Aiden had run into me. She had on itty bitty shorts a tight top and her blonde hair was piled on top of her head. Next to her, I felt shabby. Disdain came off her in waves as she stared at me expectantly, then back to Aiden.
As always, he watched the scene unfold. Knowing he was a journalist, this trait made sense. “I was catching up with Kenzie. She’s Brooklyn’s roommate. I’ll be there in a few, Stacy.”
Stacy looked at me again, then back to Aiden and put a pouty face on. “I need to talk to you about something. It’s important. Unless you want me to ask you in front of your friend.” By the tone in her voice, it would appear whatever she was going to say, Aiden wouldn’t want me to hear.
Pushing off the ground, Aiden stood and let out an exasperated sighed. “Let’s head that way.”
Stacy gave a big smile to Aiden. As he picked up his bag, she raised her eyebrow at me in clear warning. Oh geez. In response, I gave a kind smile, hoping to soften Stacy. It didn’t.
“Kenzie, I’ll catch up with you later about tomorrow.” Aiden blew out a slow breath. He didn’t look happy to be going off with Stacy which gave me more satisfaction than I should have allowed.
Giving a small nod, while staying seated on the ground, I responded, “Sounds good. Have fun.”
“Oh, we will.” Stacy’s attitude wore on me.
They left and I watched Aiden keep his distance between them as Stacy casually kept trying to touch him. Laughter from across the lawn caught my attention as I turned to see some girls walking down the path. Excitement still coursed through me at the thought of possibly getting a job at a newspaper doing research.
Tomorrow was shaping up to be a bigger day than I had anticipated.
ANTICIPATION, FEAR, AND excitement had my heart racing as I stepped into the classroom for my first official class. Last week, I had found all my classrooms and timed my walk between buildings as I found the quickest paths. I was as prepared as one could be and even twenty minutes early today.
No one else was in the room. All the challenges, tears, and hardships felt worth it. I was in college, adapting and surviving to a new way of life. I had done it.
As I was about to take a seat in the middle, I was abruptly pushed and barely able to catch myself on the edge of the chair.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.” The voice was sarcastic and I knew who it was without having to see her face.
I turned and saw Stacy standing there. Even as unaware of the culture as I was, I highly doubted she hadn’t seen me. “Hey, Stacy. It’s nice to see you again.”
The teaching of The Society kicked in: Always turn your cheek when you’re provoked. Anger is not the way.