Page 10 of Nodus Tollens
“Hey, asshole!” She shouted behind us at a stumbling guy who appeared clueless as ever with a pair of dark shades in the middle of the night. “Watch where you’re walking.” She hissed, causing the poor guy to reel back with his hands in the air.
“Sorry, babe, didn’t see you there.” He chuckled as he gave me a small grin and disappeared into the crowd.
Of course, he didn’t see me. No one ever did.
“Asshole.” Kate rumbled under her breath and focused her attention back on me. “You okay?” Her soft caramel eyes took me in slowly, searching for any signs of discomfort or pain.
“I’m fine.” I swallow while shaking off the strange lump in my throat that appeared out of nowhere. Kate, my barbed savior, always to the rescue. She treated my condition like my parents did. Always on edge, thinking that the slightest of incidences would send me into cardiac arrest. I didn’t blame her, though. Even I froze up, waiting for the worst to happen, but when Kate did it, I felt as though I was a heavy burden on her life that she didn’t need. For once, I just wished our friendship was built normally and not around a heart condition that made everything more tense.
“You sure? You look like you’re about to get sick.”
It’s hard to focus on anything as her words blend in with the blaring music that pounds around us, causing the crowd to start pushing in closer to the stage. Taking my ball-cap, I lift it off my head and wipe the sheen of sweat that’s taken residence on my forehead. “I’m fine, Kate. Can we just… go off towards the side more, away from people?”
Her face softened as if she’s finally understood my distress. Her dark chocolate spirals fluttered in the breeze as a sad smile parted her mouth. “Yeah, it’s kind of a little too crazy in the middle anyway.” She snagged my hand in hers and begins pulling me through the throng of students. Weaving in and out, I took notice of the shift of everyone’s demeanor around us. Not only were voices climbing higher, but the loss of inhibitions were clearly worsening. Hips were swaying, clothes were gradually being removed, and a suspenseful energy wafted through the air until it seeped into your veins and made your skin vibrate. It was obvious everyone was waiting for the players to finally make their appearance. Even I was ready to get it over with, but I knew Kate would be too starstruck to even think about leaving early.
“Is this spot okay?” Kate asked as we stopped near a tree that was a good ten feet away from the crowd, where I finally felt like I could breathe again.
“Yes, way better. Thank you.”
Where we were now, we had a better view of the stage. Signs, flags, and a huge Viper banner covered the perimeter of the stage while the center of it remained empty and dark. Almost ominous in a way that was slightly piquing an interest of mine, but not enough for it to last. Instead, I found myself peering around, searching for a nonexistent clock, wondering what time it could be. I wasn’t exactly a night owl like most people my age, and right now, it felt like I was up way past my usual bedtime. Just watching the chaos of every hockey fan and faux hockey fans drinking themselves into a stupor made me exhausted for them. “What time are they coming out?” I questioned with my stare focused on the center stage, waiting for any sign of movement or lights to appear, but so far, nothing.
“God, I hope soon. It’s cold as shit, and I need Hendricks to distract my body from shivering so much.” She chuckled as her Hendricks jersey-covered body shook from the cool wind that brushed past us.
“What is it about him that has your panties in a twist anyway? You’ve been obsessed with him for at least four months now.”
Immediately, Kate shifted back as if she was offended by my words. “What is it about James? Are you kidding me!? Have you seen him? His face? That large, crazy muscular body of his?”
Shaking my head on a chuckle, her mouth dropped in shock from my admission. “Wait…” She put her hand out in disbelief. “So, you’re telling me you have no clue who I’ve been crushing on?”
For the past few months, I’ve been listening to her spout on and on about her undying affection for a hockey player she’s not once spoken to or even knows she exists. At first, I didn’t say much because the girl fell in love every week, so I didn’t really think much of it. Besides, it wasn’t like Kate was a nobody. Not only was she beautiful, but she was confident as hell, so I was surprised when she told me they’d never spoken before. It wasn’t like her to shy away from what she wanted, but something about this guy had her all flustered.
“I thought I’d told you before I don’t know any of the players’ names or what they look like.” I glanced over at her reaction only to see her gaping at me. I’m sure it’s a crime around here not knowing every player on the most beloved sport team, and the way Kate was gawking at me like I was from another planet only proved my theory right.
“Wrenley Anne Baker, I am beyond appalled with you right now.” She joked as a light laugh fell past her mouth. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Haven’t you heard that, from just one look at the Vipers, your heart will be stolen?”
My brows scrunched on a silent scoff. “Is that what happened to all of them?” I chuckled while pointing to a group of giggling sorority girls who wore little to no clothing, and their bodies were painted in our schools’ colors, purple and black.
“Hearts? I don’t think so, but brains? Most definitely.” She teased, causing a sharp laugh to escape from me and fill the air.
I couldn’t for the life of me understand why girls like that tried so hard. Obviously, they would be noticed by all the players. I mean, they were half naked with their breasts spilling out of sports bras. Plus, their willingness to do pretty much anything to get their attention was sky fucking high. Sure, they may spend the night having their world rocked by a hockey god, but it wouldn’t go further than that. That’s how those men worked. Hockey was their main focus, and the occasional orgasm from willing fans was just an added bonus to their already enflamed ego. Reputations were never at stake when you ruled the whole campus. If anything, the men here applauded and envied their ability to reel in multiple women, and the girls bragged about spending the night being devoured by a hockey player.
How did I know so much about a team that I didn’t even know? It’s simple, actually. When your life is as boring and dull as mine, you have an unhealthy amount of time to eavesdrop and follow school gossip until suddenly you’re an expert in it.
Sad, I know.
“Maybe tonight is your night to talk to him.” I added, and instantly noticed her body stiffen from my comment. “Right? I mean, he’s here, you’re here. Perfect time.”
“Yeah, right…” Her laugh shifted into something more somber before she quieted altogether. “I’d be lucky if he even noticed me in a crowd like this. Plus, I’m not exactly his type.”
“Your every guy’s type.” I turned slightly in her direction, scaling my eyes down her curvy body and long, tight curls that reached the center of her back.
Her eyes briefly met mine as she smiled. “Thanks for the confident booster, but I’d have to disagree. I’ve seen the girls he hangs with, and they definitely don’t look like me.” She frowns.
“There’s nothing wrong with looking different than the girls he’s known to hang around. You don’t want to look like them anyway. You’re beautiful the way you are.” I reached for her hand and entwined our cold fingers together until warmth spread through my skin. “Maybe you’ll steal his heart instead.” I wasn’t lying, either. My best friend, who came out of nowhere and inserted herself into my boring yet chaotic life, deserved the absolute world, and if he couldn’t see her worth, someone else sure as hell would.
“How do you always say the right things? Seriously, it’s a gift.” Kate teased as a light flush caked her cheeks, and her shoulder brushed mine in a soft bump.
“I wouldn’t say I say all the right things. I just speak the truth. ” I go on. “Plus, hearing just a sliver of self-doubt come out of your mouth drives me insane. James would be a lucky bastard to have you. I mean, look at me. Do I look like someone who could pull a hockey player or any guy, for that matter?” I point down to my holey jeans and oversized hoodie that practically swallowed me whole. And let’s not forget my unwashed blonde locks currently hidden under a baseball cap. Guys never noticed me until one finally did. And I’ve regretted not talking to him ever since, so with the recollection I had from that day, I safely stored it away in my memory and reluctantly moved on.
