Page 18 of Backstroke

The cool air outside is a stark contrast to the heated tension I just escaped. Each step away from the library feels like a small victory, a reclaiming of my control. But even as I walk, I can’t shake the feeling of his eyes on me, the memory of his touch lingering like a ghost. It’s infuriating and intoxicating all at once.Why does he have this effect on me? It’s maddening!

As I walk across campus, I try to think of literally anything other than the campus god. His intensity, his persistence, it’s all too much. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I need to focus, to remember why I’m here and what I’m working towards. Remington is a distraction, a dangerous one, and I can’t afford to let him get under my skin. I reach my dorm and see the large dent on the door that’s eye level with me. My stomach sinks and without the girls telling me, I know Remy was here.What the hell is his problem?This is a perfect example of the destruction that comes with him.

I swipe Rowyn’s keycard she let me borrow, closing the door quietly behind me. First thing tomorrow, I need to get a new one made and make my way to town to get another phone. I head straight to my room, closing the door behind me. I pull out my books and toss them on my desk next to the window. No matter how hard I try, his presence looms over me, an undeniable force pulling at the edges of my consciousness. The words in my book blur together, replaced by the memory of his touch, his intensegaze. Frustration bubbles up inside me, but also a spark of something else—an undeniable attraction.

The dent in the door needs to be a constant reminder of his intrusion of my mind and body. It should only fuel my resolve to stay away from him.Should is the keyword.

I spend the rest of the evening buried in my books, allowing the words to finally fill my head. Tomorrow, I’ll take back control of my life and keep him at arm’s length.

My alarm rings out through my small room, jolting me awake. I reach for my phone, but then I remember I set my alarm on my computer instead. I shuffle out of bed toward my desk to turn off the horrible sound before it wakes up the whole dorm.

As the silence returns, I rub my eyes and glance at the time. It’s early, but I need to get a head start on the day and all the errands I need to run.

I quietly get dressed and grab my bag, making sure I have everything I need. I write a quick note to the girls about where I’ll be, then place it on the refrigerator with a magnet. As I step out of our dorm, I notice the dent on the door again, a stark reminder of yesterday’s encounter. I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts of Remy aside.

The campus is quiet as I make my way to the administration building. I’m one of the first in line and it doesn’t take long to get to the front desk.

“May I help you?” the student behind the counter asks without looking up.

“Yes, I need to get a new key card made. It’s room 514 in Willowbrook Hall.” The guy’s eyes snap up to mine and for amoment he just stares at me. Uncomfortable with this reaction, I pull out my license and slide it over.

“You need this don’t you?” He blinks a few times, then takes my ID and begins typing away on the computer. I notice his name tag says “Jake” and I wonder briefly if he’s heard the rumors going around school. Of course he has, unless he lives under a rock. I’m sure that’s the reason behind the odd looks. He hands me my ID and my new key card.

“Don’t lose this one. They are $20 to replace, but I waived the fee this time,” he reassures.

“Oh, okay. Thanks.” I place both cards in my wallet, then make my way back out on campus.

With that task done, I head into town to find a phone store. My car sputters the whole way and I wince when I think about what it will cost me to have someone look at it. Buying a new phone is already dipping into the savings I needed to last me a few months.

I find a small phone store and step inside, the cool air a welcome relief from the blaring California heat that accumulated in my car. The clerk greets me with a smile as I explain that I need a new phone.

“You’re in luck. We have a sale going on for the new iPhones that dropped last week. Will you be starting a new account with us?”

“I suppose so since there isn’t a Horizon Wireless close by. I was due for a renewal anyways.” I shrug.

“Great. Which size would you like? And which color?” The salesperson goes through a spiel of the benefits of each device, and my head feels like it might explode with the amount of information he’s throwing at me.

“I’ll go with the plus size in navy, I think,” I murmur, still looking at the variety laid out before me.

“Perfect. Let me go get that for you. There are accessories on the back wall for you to look through since they are fifty percent off with a new device.” He disappears in the back and I wander to the other side of the store to look at the different cases. Instantly, an iridescent purple case comes into view. As I flip it around, a hollowed gothic skull appears on the back and it’s perfect. I choose the right size and take it to the counter. The man comes back and we begin the long checkout process of me signing my life away. At least for the next two years.

Two hours later, I’m leaving with a new phone in hand. Thankfully I know my mother’s number. I’ll have to slowly add other numbers as I get them, but it feels good to have a piece of normalcy back.

Before heading back to campus, I stop at a little hole in the wall coffee shop across the street. A bell chimes as I enter, and the sign at the front says to sit wherever I like.

I slide into a booth close to the back and look over the menu. My stomach grumbles since I missed breakfast in order to get my errands out of the way, but there isn’t much in the way of food.

“What can I get ya, darlin’?” A beautiful graying woman comes up to the table with her notepad ready.

“I’ll take a cream cheese danish and a caramel latte, please.” She scribbles the order then bounces to the next set of customers that walked in after me.

As I wait for my order, I take in the cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop. The walls are adorned with local art and the soft hum of conversation fills the air. It’s a nice change of pace from the chaos of campus life.

A few minutes later, the woman returns with my danish and latte. “Here you go, sweetie. Enjoy!”

“Thank you,” I say, offering her a smile. I take a bite of the danish, savoring the creamy sweetness as I sip my latte, feelingthe warmth spread through me. It’s a small moment of peace in an otherwise hectic day.

I check my watch, then down my drink. Classes for me start this afternoon and I need to get my books beforehand. Leaving cash on the table, I grab my purse and push through the doors. The bright sun forces me to shade my eyes as I walk toward my car.

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