Page 29 of On Broken Wings

“You need to. We need to close this deal.” Toni’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

“I’m working on it, ok? I need to go before I’m seen.” I stepped back, and adjusted my hat.

“Check in with me later.” She pointed her finger at me before pulling her phone from her pocket, and texting someone.

“I’ll try.” I sighed before turning to head down the street. I needed to get to campus. I was already running late to get Jenni’s coffee. When I turned around, my stomach dropped. There getting ready to climb the steps to the L was none other than Jenni Stone. Her eyes widened as she stared, blinking at me. Her mouth opened slightly as confusion spread across her face. She shook her head before turning to run up the steps. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Did she know it was me?

oooooooo

I decided that grabbing my usual coffee treat for Jenni was worth being late. After all, I really didn’t need to go to class. I could pass with my eyes closed and a pair of earbuds in.

By the time I got to campus, class was in full swing. I decided to skip today, and just wait on the steps for her to emerge. I hoped the coffee, and my winning personality would smooth over whatever she thought she saw this morning. Jenni wasn’t part of my plan. I was never supposed to befriend her. When I saw her come in class the first time, I couldn’t not be her friend. She’s beautiful. She’s the kinda beautiful that’s rare. She doesn’t know how pretty she really is, and she’s sweet and humble. It’s almost like she’s this dove with a broken wing, and I want to heal it. I could be way off base here, but something about her screams pain and suffering.

“Hey. Got a minute?” Michael, a recent friend startled me as he came up behind where I was standing.

I glanced at my watch before looking at the main door to Booker. Class would be out soon, and I didn’t need Jenni to see me with him. “A few. What’s up?”

Michael rubbed the back of his wrist under his nose as he sniffed. “Vince wanted to make sure you were coming tonight. He’s got more product, and I told him the frat boys were eating this shit up.”

“Michael,” I hissed as I turned and briskly walked between two buildings. “Are you trying to get us busted?”

“No dude.” Michael rubbed his nose again. “I been at this longer than you.” He shifted on his feet. “You work for me. Remember?” He pointed to his chest. “Meet me behind Sal’s at nine tonight. We need to pick up the product for the parties this weekend.”

“Yeah, ok. You gonna have any of that product left after you sample it?” I narrowed my eyes. Michael was my way in. If I wanted Vince to take me to the shipyard for the newest shipment buy, I needed to make nice with Michael. He made it hard some days though.

“Later.” He waved me off as he slipped behind a few trees, and then back out onto the campus.

By this time, class had let out. I rushed back to the corner of the building just in time to see Jenni jog down the front steps. She was staring at her phone, and as I approached her, I waited for her to look up.

“Hey.” I smiled as I fell into step beside her.

“Where were you today?” Her brows furrowed as she stuffed her phone back in her pocket. “You never miss class.”

“Had something I needed to do.” I shrugged. It was as close to the truth as I could get. If I told her what I was really doing, she’d run as far as she could get from me.

“Right.” Her voice was clipped. “Do you follow her around like you do me, or am I a special project for you?” Her eyes flared with anger as she picked up her pace.

“Her?” I jogged to keep up.

“I saw you. I saw you with that woman this morning.” She jammed her finger in the air as her eyes shot daggers at me.

“I don’t know what you thought you saw, but I was stuck in traffic. It’s why I was late.” I sighed. “I went to a different coffee shop today, and it was mistake. They screwed up my order, and by the time I got here class was already started.” I held out the paper cup with the caramel mocha I’d picked up for her.

Her feet skidded to a stop as her eyes pinged from the coffee cup to my face. The anger melted away as confusion replaced it. “Where do you live, Evan?”

“About five hundred feet that way.” I pointed to the high-rise dorms.

“Why do you have a car then?”

“My job?” I was always a fast thinker. “The mall isn’t close. I needed a car for work. Sometimes I just like to be able to go places too.”

She nodded, “Makes sense.” She took the coffee from me and slowly shook her head. I knew that she was trying to justify that she didn’t see me this morning when she clearly did. “You must have a twin somewhere.” Confusion filled her features.

“I wish. He could do my homework for me,” I joked. I needed to get past this and back to where we were. This morning was stupid. I should never have agreed to meet there. Next time I was telling Toni no. “Wanna study tonight?”

“I can’t. My brother has some celebration planned for me. I promised I’d go.” She sipped the coffee as the wheels continued to turn in her mind. She wasn’t ready to believe me, but I could tell she wanted to.

“Maybe tomorrow then.” I chuckled.

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