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Twenty-Seven
The Earring
Vannah
Rushing out of her car, Vannah sprinted up the walkway to her dorm. She’d been at Byron’s for the past several days. Since she was headed home tonight for her mom’s birthday dinner and Byron couldn’t make it out with her, he’d convinced her to stay another night at his place and they’d made the most of their time together last night. They’d woken several times last night to make up for theoneday they’d be apart since she’d be staying at her parents tonight. Then that morning when they’d already slept in, they were at it again. Now Vannah was running late and still needed to pack a bag since she’d be headed straight home after classes that afternoon.
“Well, nice of you to drop in,” Xochitl said as she poured herself what looked like a smoothie from the blender in the kitchen.
“I’m going straight home today after lab and won’t see Byron until tomorrow, so he talked me into staying an extra night at his place.” Vannah explained. “Otherwise, I would’ve been home last night.”
“I’m sure he had to twist your arm.”
Vannah smirked at her friend who eyed her knowingly as she rushed past her into her bedroom.
Throwing things in a bag quickly, Vannah scurried about in her room. If it weren’t for her final in her economics class that day and then the paper she had to turn in by the end of the day, she might’ve just played hooky altogether. But staying an extra night at Byron’s, even if she felt completely spent now, was totally worth it.
“With the semester almost over, and you practically living at Byron’s now you really think you’ll need to dorm it next semester?”
Vannah turned to Xochitl who leaned against her doorway sucking her smoothie through a straw. Feeling slightly guilty, because ever since declaring their love for each other and making things absolutely official over two weeks ago, she’d spent all but one or two nights a week at his place. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not moving in with him, Soch. If that’s what you’re asking.”
“Why not?” her roomie asked very seriously. “You’ve been here what? Two days this week? And I’m happy for you Vannah, I really am. I’ve never seen anyone so blissfully content. Financially, it’d only make sense if you did move in with him, and I know how much you hate your parents spending so much money if they don’t have to. I’m only asking because if you do, I’ll need to find another roommate.”
“Well, I’m not,” Vannah said feeling her insides go a little crazy because Byron had dropped a few hints already. “Way too soon for that and I’m sure my parents would sooner prefer to keep paying for this than have me move in with a guy I’ve only known a few months. So, don’t worry it’d be out of the question even if I wanted to.”
Technically, Vannah knew she was an adult, and while her parents could express their concern all they wanted, she knew they’d never impede on her happiness if it’s what she really wanted.
While the thought was a pleasant one, and now that Byron had completely opened up about his feelings for her, it was less terrifying to get too ahead of herself, it was still a scary thought. Even the most perfect of unions weren’t guaranteed to last. It’d be hard enough to deal with if something went wrong and they broke things off as it was. But if she moved in with him and things went south, she’d be having to make an entire life change. Despite everything, it was still too soon to take that kind of risk.
There was no time to discuss things any further. Vannah rushed out agreeing to meet Xochitl after her last class for coffee before turning in her paper at the lab, so she could leave and go straight home after. She wouldn’t even get a chance to see Byron one last time before she left, because he’d be busy filming for the reality show all day.
Groaning when she picked up her phone as she drove into the school’s parking lot, she saw she had less than thirty percent left of battery life. In her haste to rush out of Byron’s today she forgot her spare charger there. The one she usually kept in her car to charge it when she was on the road. Grabbing her things, she darted off to her first class.
By the end of the day, she was down to less than five percent battery life on her phone. She’d even turned the damn thing off for a better part of the day to preserve as much battery life as possible. After sending Xochitl a text to let her know she was at the on-campus coffee shop waiting for her, then sending Byron a text to tell him she loved him, she turned it back off again.
“Oh, my God I’m starving,” Xochitl said as she took the seat across the booth from Vannah. “They have sandwiches and pastries here.”
“I’m feeling more like a big fat burger or a nice deep-dish pizza.”
“Well, if you wanna walk clear across campus to the food court, you’re on your own. I don’t have time.” Vannah sipped her coffee. “I still have this paper I have to turn in at the lab.”
“My life,” Xochitl said staring at something behind Vannah. “It never fails when I’m craving something. What are the odds the GrubHub girl would be delivering both burgersanda pizza right here, right now?”
Already smiling at her friend’s irritation, Vannah turned to see what she was talking about. Almost at the same moment, both her and Irma did a double take when they recognized each other. If it weren’t for the distinct pale red hair Vannah might not have, but there was no missing it and clearly the girl recognized her.
“You know her?” Xochitl asked as soon as Vannah turned back to her coffee.
“Not really, but I knowofher.”
“She keeps looking over here,” Xochitl said glancing behind Vannah casually, before sipping her coffee. “Who is she?”
“A not so pleasant blast from the past. Remember the girl I told you showed up at Byron’s way back.” Xochitl’s brows furrowed in question. “The night we had dinner with my parents?”
Xochitl’s eyes went wide as her eyes glanced behind Vannah again. “Well, shit I think she’s coming over here.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“Nope. Here she comes.” Xochitl took another sip of her coffee. “Don’t worry, girl. I got your back.”
