“And that wasthe last of my not-boyfriends.” Sophie dips a chip into the queso, far from embarrassed. “Kit’s turn for an awkward story!”
We’re snuggled in our suite lounge again, surrounded by a mountain of snacks Sophie bought today. The sofa and chairs in here are as uncomfortable as ever, so we’re camped out on throw pillows. I love college. Our suite is like a perpetual sleepover.
“Okay, I have one.” I pull my legs crossed and lean on my clumped-up blanket. “It was sophomore year?—“
“Wait I forget,” Sophie interrupts. “When did you suddenly get weirdly pretty?”
“That was summer before senior year,” Mia says. “But don’t ask about anything after that or she’ll clam up and wreck our truth-telling.” She raises brows at me.
She’s not wrong. I refuse to go down the path of horrible-ex-boyfriend awfulness. And I won’t talk about Levi—the reasonI won’t date him is exactly what I won’t talk about. Then there’s the mess with the girls from last year and the way they suddenly invited me to their parties and nail appointments once I was with Aiden. They accepted me and hated me all at once. And while they showed interest, my lifelong friends slowly distanced themselves. I didn’t know how to handle any of it, and I wish so badly it had never happened. Now, I can’t shake the nagging fear that Sophie might turn out the same way, so I keep it all to myself. Last year left me paranoid in so many ways.
“Anyway,” I say, “I was feeling really woozy, so I left class to get something out of the vending machine in the cafeteria. It was one of the lunch times, so tons of people were around. But before I could get a snack, I passed out in front of the vending machine—out cold.”
They giggle and imitate my dramatic visual of going unconscious.
“No idea how long I was there, but I came to and not a soul had noticed that I was lying there on the filthy carpet.”
“What? Heartless,” Mia says.
“Maybe. But probably they just didn’t notice me. I told you I was invisible.”
Ayumi half smiles like she gets it.
“Yeah, but I thought you meant, like, quiet,” Sophie says. “Not that people literally don’t see you when you need medical intervention!”
I shrug. That’s the level of invisible I was facing. Even still, life as Visible Kit was so much worse.
“Well you came together nicely,” Mia says.
“Tad Hamilton,“ Sophie and I shout.
“Tie.” Ayumi gives my arm a reassuring squeeze.
While Sophie and Mia half yell next to us, I whisper to Ayumi, “Want to share a story, or should I change the subject?”
She holds up two fingers—change the subject.
“Cards at MSC tonight?” Austin asks across the room.
“Yes.” No need to consider. I know she’ll be there if he plans it. I need to write the last lines of a paper, but I twist around to meet his teasing eyes.
He lies longwise on his sofa on the other side of mine and reaches across the ancient carpet to grab a tennis ball that had rolled under his desk. “Tomorrow we’re going to McDonald’s. And then camping. On the ground. With no shower. In for that too?”
He’s taunting me, but the sad truth is I would be. I wouldn’t miss a chance to be near her, even in those conditions. It’s pathetic, really.
The first time I ever saw Kit she was taking caring of a stranger—at considerable cost to herself. It was an instant crush situation like I’ve never experienced before. But then I never would have talked to her again if Austin hadn’t called me downstairs under false pretenses last week. I was prepared to write her off because of a single remark. I rake my hand through my hair. I have issues.
She no longer bolts at the sight of me, but I still have to earn her attention. I’m not mad about it though. I’m loving every minute. If anything, it’s hard to be subtle. I can’t keep my eyes off her when she walks into a room. I’m pitifully disappointed when she leaves. Like a sap. Hence Austin’s reaction—he’s never seen me like this. I’ve never seen me like this.
I have no idea whether Austin’s sudden affinity for planning events off our floor is him going after Sophie or playing wingman for me. Those two have been planning fiends since we went out for wings. I’ve gotten to see Kit almost every night since. If it is a wingman thing, it’s borderline heroic. It wouldn’t be the first time Austin impersonated Superman.
Thank you for him. What a killer friend you sent me.
“She’s getting cozier with you.” He throws and catches the ball, just high enough not to hit his bed lofted above.
“If only.”
He knows she won’t even sit on the same couch as me. No hugs, no shoulder bumps, no touching whatsoever. But she’s like that with every male on campus, so it’s clearly not personal. I understand firm boundaries. I like her all the more for having convictions. And I respect that she’s willing to be different, to hold the line when others think it’s strange. Unfortunately, that makes me more attracted to her, which makes me want to touch her. It’s not a great cycle, but it’s all part of the beautiful package that is Kit Talbot.
