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“What do you think of the letter?” one asked.
“Any comments on the football program here at Buffalo State?” another woman asked.
“What are you talking about? Leave me alone. I’m late for class.”
“We just need a statement…”
“Leave her alone!” Teddy said, appearing out of nowhere.
The others scattered.
“Thanks,” I said. “You’re Austin’s roommate, right?”
He nodded.
“What were they going on about?”
“Damn freshman trying to get a story.”
“A story? What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t read the paper this morning?”
“No. I’m late for class.”
“Oh. You should read it.”
“Tell me while we walk,” I said, taking off toward the medical sciences building.
“Austin wrote a letter to the editor about you and him, professing his love.”
I stopped.
“What? You’re kidding, right?”
“No. He said it was the only way to prove your innocence.”
“I haven’t heard from him since the other night. Did he get kicked off the team?”
“No, not yet. He loves you, but his coach is all over him about this, and he told me he has to cool it off with you for a while, at least until the end of the semester.”
“It’s okay. Tell Austin I understand.”
“I will,” he said. “Can we talk later? Over a beer maybe?”
“Sure, call me or something,” I said as I dashed away, not wanting to be even more late.
“I don’t have your phone number,” he called out.
“I’ll meet you at Marticello’s at six!”
I rushed to the lecture hall, but I still ended up being ten minutes late. The rest of the class all turned to look at me as the squeaky door opened.
A few of them pointed and talked to each other as I sat down in the back row and slunk down in my seat. The professor, Dr. Jones, gave me a dirty look, but she didn’t call me out.
While she lectured, I tried to pay attention, but I wasn’t able to get Austin out of my mind. Halfway through the class, I spotted a newspaper someone had left behind.
Using my foot, I scooted it over then reached down to pick it up. As I read his letter on the sly, tears formed in my eyes. He did love me more than football.
