Page 62 of Don't Leave
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
As I walk down the thinly carpeted steps, I feel him shadow my movements. A tiny spark of hope flares to life within me. Is it possible that he’ll sit next to me today? Have we managed to turn a corner in our practically nonexistent relationship?
I wish I had the courage to ask these questions.
“Cassidy?”
I spin around at the sound of my name and find him standing on the step above me. It’s the same row his cousin, Sammy, is parked in. I have to crane my neck more than usual to hold his gaze.
“If you’re not busy, do you want to grab some lunch this afternoon?”
Even though it feels like we’re moving in the right direction, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting back together.
Although, reining in the smile that curves my lips is impossible. “I’d like that.”
A matching expression flashes across his face but it’s by no means a full-blown smile, one that has his dimples peeking out and I miss them.
“Great. Do you want to meet at the Union around one?”
My heart pumps a painful staccato against my ribcage at the idea of us sitting down and talking. “That sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
He nods before slipping into the row with his cousin. Hesitantly, I meet Sammy’s gaze. She smiles, but much like Cole’s, it isn’t full blown by any means. I hate that my breakup with Cole has inadvertently affected my friendship with Sammy. But that’s not surprising since they’re close and she did warn me in the beginning not to hurt him.
Even though Sammy and I are teammates, and we skate together three or four times a week on the intramural hockey team, we were just beginning to get to know each other. With the way she’s watching me, I can only assume Cole filled her in on what happened between us. Sammy is a formidable chick. She’s not someone I want to have an issue with.
Plus, I genuinely do like her.
It doesn’t escape me that I’ve lost the people I’d just started to think of as my support system. Cole. Dr. Thompson. And now Sammy.
Instead of concentrating on what professor Mullens is lecturing on, all I can focus on is meeting up with Cole for lunch. Should I even get my hopes up that we’ll get back together? Or is he going to tell me that he’s ready to move on and I should do the same?
My belly clenches at the thought of those words spilling from his lips.
When our professor finally dismisses the class, I can’t help but glance at the half page of notes I’ve taken. Usually, I type out a solid four pages.
Even worse than that, I have no idea what her lecture was about.
Ugh.
What I need to do is pull my head out of my ass before I fail out of school for a second time. And this time, there’s no doubt in my mind that my parents will disown me.
Frustrated with myself, I gather up my belongings before making my way out of the lecture hall. When I look at the spot Cole and Sammy were sitting, their seats are empty. Just like I knew they would be.
As expected, the next three hours drag by as I glance at my phone every five minutes. Unable to focus on homework, I decide to head over to the Union and grab a coffee while I wait.
“Cassidy!”
I swing around on the walking path as my name is called and find Luke pushing through the heard of slow-moving students to reach me.
“Hi.” Over the course of the past week and a half, we’ve become even closer friends.
But that’s all we are.
As he falls into step with me, he asks, “Are you on your way to the Union?”
“Yup.” I don’t mention that I’m grabbing lunch with Cole. For the time being, I want to keep that information to myself.
