Page 5 of With Every Breath

“Where are you girls headed? Will you be at the campus kickoff later?”

“To shower, and maybe.” I tipped my head to the side as I stared at him. He was cute, had a lean build like a swimmer, but seemed very nervous.

“I was thinking maybe if you were going, we could meet up.” He shrugged.

“I don’t date—” I turned, and started to walk away “—but she does.” I pointed to Madi, and then began walking faster.

“Why would you say that?” Madi scoffed as we climbed into the car. “He likes you. I saw the way he kept looking at you.”

“I don’t date. You know this,” I grumbled as she cranked the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. “And you know why.” I sighed as I stared out the window. I had too much baggage to risk someone getting close. What if I hurt them? What if they hurt me? Life was too short and unpredictable to fall in love.

“I know, but why not try? It’s been six years. Things have been good. Right?” She pulled into our usual spot and cut the engine. “He seemed nice.”

“Nice guys are the ones who get hurt. He wouldn’t understand why I am the way I am, and then he’d try to change me.” I shoved open the door, and climbed out. “Can you just let it go?”

“Fine.” She nodded as she began to ascend the stairs. “Be alone all your life. You’re going to look back and wish that you took some of these chances. I don’t get it. You take chances with your life all the time, but you won’t with your heart.”

“I’m weird, I know this.” I tossed my bag on the couch, and started walking toward the bathroom. “I call dibs on the shower.” I laughed as I closed the door behind me.

ooooooooo

Campus kickoff was a huge picnic that the university held every fall. It was always on the quad, and supposed to be a chance for new and incoming students to meet people. Basically, students drank beer, hooked up, and did dumb shit. Last year, one of the football players decided it would be cool to try and jump from one of the buildings down onto the bounce house they had set up. Why there was a bounce house on a college campus is beyond me. We’re supposed to be preparing for adulthood, but are constantly reminded that we’re still kids. Anyway, he broke the bounce house as well as his leg, and it ended his season before the first game.

“Look at all the people,” Madi mused as we walked across the grass. I was secretly hoping that Dex wouldn’t find us with this size of a crowd.

“Yep. Perfect way to blend in.” I laughed just as two of our teammates, Brittany, and Lexi, came rushing in our direction. They were soaking wet, and holding red cups.

“You guys!!!” They both squealed. “There’s a slip and slide.”

“And you decided to try this in your clothes?” Madi rolled her eyes.

“Why not?” Lexi giggled as she picked a piece of straw out of her hair.

“I don’t even want to know.” I sighed.

“It’s used as a bumper to stop you from sliding across the parking lot.” She tossed the straw to the side.

Just as they started to walk away, my new stalker appeared. “Glad you guys could make it.” Dex smiled.

“We made it.” I shrugged as we followed Lexi and Brit across the grass. I wanted to grab one of those red cups, and hopefully lose Dex in the crowd. I know I sound like a bitch, but I just can’t do the guy thing and guys don’t know how to be my friend.

When we reached the table filled with drinks, a few guys I knew from some of my classes last year were standing behind it and grinning. “What’s so funny?” Madi chose a cup.

“Added a little pick me up.” One of them, I think his name was Dave, chuckled.

“Pick me up, or lay me down?” I teased.

“Either works for me,” another joked.

“Bottoms up.” I grabbed a cup and tipped my head back, chugging the entire thing. It was better than the party punch that we used to have at our field parties. In fact, it didn’t taste like alcohol at all.

“Atta girl,” Dave cheered as I reached for a second. We turned and weaved our way through the crowd.

ooooooooo

As the afternoon turned into evening, people began to disburse and only a small crowd was left. “You should have a few of these. Makes the evening more fun.” I laughed.

“I have to get us home.” Madi chuckled.

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