Page 68 of Carter

Harold, ever the oblivious one, was complaining to us about Rome deciding to postpone Uni in order to venture out with the band. He seemed a bit haughty about it, but I admired that he let Rome decide for himself what he wanted. I wished I had parents like them.

“Focus on your education,” he told me then. “Independency is a woman’s strongest weapon. Understand, Leah?”

I nodded. “I understand.”

He seemed pleased by that and nodded back.

He was right. Being independent was important, but not just in education or employment, but everything life had to offer in general. I didn’t want my happiness to be dependent on thepeople I surrounded myself with. I wanted it to be dependent on me.

I just wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to get there.

Twenty-Five

Ididn’t go out clubbing with the boys to celebrate their viral success. Instead, I stayed at home and went over my first semester school schedule. I was going to have my head in the books for four years. I wasn’t sure I was smart enough for this. How was I going to cope with yet another change in my life? And juggling a job on top of that? I was scared.

I could only hope it was going to be worth it. I was going to end up with a shitload of student debt stacked to the roof, and if I didn’t get a freaking job outside of waitressing after this bachelor’s degree, I probably might strangle a few teachers.

My cell phone buzzed just then. I picked it up and swiped the screen, expecting Melanie to fill me in on updates about Carter. Apparently all he was interested in doing was drinking and being a pessimist. That was alright. I sort of liked hearing it.

My heart skipped a beat when I realized it wasn’t from her.

Carter:You weren’t serious. I know it.

I stared at the message for a little while, not knowing how I was going to respond. My chest ached just a little, and I was close to crumbling. But another look at my school paper and I knew I had to be strong.

Me:I was very serious. I want more.

Carter:You can’t be without me. This is just a phase.

Me:It’s not a phase, Carter. You either want this like I do, or you don’t.

Me:And I’ll have you know, I have been doing just *fine* without you.

Carter:You’re not fooling me, angel.

Ugh, I was tempted to throw the phone across the room. He was right. I wasn’t doing fine, but for the sake of what little dignity I had left, I had to pretend I was.

I couldn’t let the cocky bastard get to me.

Me:I think you need to realize there’s more to life than you.

With that, I turned the phone off, determined not to get distracted by him again.

*

A bang sounded out from the front door. After having dozed off on the couch, I opened my eyes and looked toward it.

I could hear the sound of keys jingling. I glanced at the time. 1:40am.

The knob turned, but it wasn’t opening. It wiggled and another bang sounded. I got up from the couch and went to the door. I knew it was Carter. Who else could it be? I looked through the peephole and sighed.

I was right, of course.

I opened the door and he immediately collapsed into me, knocking me back. We fell to the ground, him over me. My assbroke the fall, so it wasn’t so bad, but his upper body had me flat on the floor in an instant.

“Shit! Fuck!” he cursed, looking down at me with glassy eyes. “Sorry, Angel. Was leaning against the door.”

He smelled of alcohol, and he was drunk off his ass. The weight of his upper frame had me pinned harshly under him. I could hardly move.

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