I know I sure can be.
“How’s it going, by the way?” Zac asks.
“I’m exhausted. My feet are killing me.”
“Do you want a ride over to your dorm or the library?” Rob asks. “To spare your feet.”
"No, I'll be fine. You would think that with walking all over campus, I'm used to being on my feet, but no. I have to adjust. Thanks, though."
It’s kinda awkward, but I just give a slight wave and walk out the door. No way am I going to hug them all or kiss them. Nope.
I reach the parking lot for the houses when Gabe pulls up to me.
“How’s it going, buttercup?” he asks.
“It’s going,” I say, staring at his bike. It’s so surreal to think that I’ll own one of these soon, that I’ll have to drive it.
“You like my bike, huh?” he asks.
“Hmm? Oh. Well, actually, I’m going to be getting one of my own.”
“You are?”
I make a face. “Why do you sound so surprised?”
“Maybe because I didn’t know you knew how to ride.”
“Oh, I don’t. Not yet at least.”
He blinks a few times. “Who is going to teach you?”
“I haven’t found myself a teacher yet, actually.”
“You haven’t. Well, I could fix that for you.”
I bring my hand up to my face, and I grimace. Even my hands smell like sex.
“I don’t know about that. I mean, yes, please, teach, only not right now. I’m super behind on my homework, as lame as that sounds.”
“Ah, working girl having a hard time adjusting?” he asks sympathetically. “No worries. When you can squeeze me in, we can go ahead. I’ll have you popping wheelies in no time.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I protest.
“I didn’t think you feared much of anything.”
“We’re all afraid of some things,” I say.
“That’s the truth. I’m afraid of Lori Peterson.”
“Who’s that?”
“One of my teachers. She’s terrifying.”
“How so?”
“She hates me.”
“Who could hate you?”