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Wyatt was one year behind us in school, but that made no difference to me. I knew that when we were adults, a year between us would be a drop in the bucket. If Anna Nicole Smith could marry an eighty-nine-year-old man, certainly, I could date a junior.
“Um, no. I can’t believe you dated him because he’s a wuss.”
“He’s not a wuss,” Ronnie said, looking irritated. She and Wyatt had become very good friends since I was attached to both of their hips for an entire year. She and I were both struggling with his absence in a few different ways—she didn’t approve of my new boyfriend, and I wasn’t thrilled that she still brought up Wyatt in conversation. The rational side of my brain knew she just missed her friend.
But the heartbroken part just wanted him to disappear from all memory.
So far, that was proving impossible.
Every few weeks, a letter arrived, and I just added it to the stack in my backpack. So far, I’d accumulated six letters.
“He’s a total wuss. The guy walks around with a sketch pad. I actually saw him sitting by a tree once, drawing a mushroom or some shit.”
“He’s an artist,” I said, elbowing Oden.
“Yeah, and a magician,” Oden teased.
“Oden, you know I hate that joke.”
“What?” Ronnie asked, looking confused.
“He disappeared into thin air.” Oden opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, patting himself on the back for being ever-so-clever.
“You’re hilarious,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
Ronnie made an “L” with her hand and pressed it to her forehead. I held back a giggle.
The video came to an end, and I applauded as the credits rolled.
“Great job, Ronnie.”
“You think so?” She bit down on her lower lip.
“I mean, you’re not winning any Oscars with it, but it’s fine. But Duran Duran? Really?”
“Oden, knock it off. We like Duran Duran.”
He threw up his hands. “I’m just saying, it’s a little depressing.”
“No,” Ronnie said, shaking her head. “It’s contemplative.”
“Exactly,” I said, patting Oden’s belly and giving him a wink. “Stick to what you know.”
“Yeah, we don’t tell you how to pass a football.”
“Fine, fine,” he said, throwing his hands up in defeat. “In that case, good job, Veronica.”
“Thank you.”
Oden looked at the clock. “I’d better go. I’m meeting the guys at the field. I’ll call you later, babe.”
“Cool beans,” I said with a nod, and Oden wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in for a deep kiss. I pushed his chest away, laughing uncomfortably. He was a great kisser, a fantastic one, actually, but I was never comfortable making out in front of my friends. Oden knew this, but he was determined to push me out of my comfort zone.
It was annoying.
When he opened my door, my mom entered. “Hey, something arrived from the University of Illinois.” My mom handed me a large envelope. On the front was a picture of the alma mater statue.
“Holy crap, babe. Open it.”
