Page 60 of The Tip-Off
Me: I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not a liar. How is Tony this morning?
Zeke: Tony?
Me: Eh, you’re right. It’s not a Tony, maybe a Cliff or a Tom.
Zeke: Did you just try and name my dick Cliff?!
Me: He deserves a name. What are you up to tonight?
Zeke: No plans. I leave for Chicago tomorrow and will be gone through the weekend.
Me: Does Cliff have to go?
Zeke: Afraid so. I’m pretty attached to him.
Zeke: Also, hard no to Cliff.
Me: Wanna hang out tonight?
Zeke: Yeah, I’ll text you when I’m done with my afternoon workout.
Instead of texting, I call my mom on my way to campus and give her the parent-friendly version of what I’ve been up to lately.
“I’ve gotta go, Mom, I’m just getting to campus.”
“Be careful and have fun.”
“I will, Mooom.” I can’t help but groan a little at the constant reminder to be careful.
I hang up as I approach the library. Being on campus still brings a rush of excitement. The people, the textbooks and backpacks, it all has this energy that I want to live inside forever. I find Blair on the first floor of the library in the campus tutor center.
“Hey!” She waves me over from her cubicle. A letterboard above her desk reads,The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
“Look at you coming up with awesome, cheesy quotes.” I sit down at the chair in front of her desk and pull the letterboard in front of me.
“Eleanor Roosevelt said that.” She grabs her backpack and unzips the front pocket. “I have something for you.”
“Oh yeah?”
She grins and pushes a piece of paper in front of me. An intricately folded paper star that’s been colored yellow. “What is this?”
“It’s your deflowering pin, of course.”
I snort. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I was bored. It’s been slow in here this week. No one cares about careers, they’re just ready for summer break. So… tell me everything.”
Blair hangs on every word. I give her the basic rundown of how my night went down. She’d helped with the candles and knew my intent, but she’s smiling so big you’d think I won an Oscar instead of lost my virginity. The details, the things we said, the bond I’d felt, I leave all of that out. For one, I’m not ready to admit how Zeke makes me feel. And for two, it’ll hurt a lot worse when he leaves if everyone is watching for me to break.
“So, where does that leave you two? Are you dating?”
“We’re hanging out. Casual fun.” I force an air of insignificance into my tone and avoid eye contact.
I can feel her intense stare and know she wants to say more, but I warn her off. “I don’t want to make a big deal of it. We’re just having fun until he leaves. I’ll get to start my senior year with some experiences, just like I always wanted.”
“Well, good. Actually, I’m glad to hear you say that. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Exactly, me either.” I sit straighter and force a big smile. “So, on to more important topics, I need your advice, not as my friend but as Valley’s career resource expert.”
