AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Monday morning,I go to class and take the math quiz that I should’ve studied for but didn’t because my mind kept going to Tara. But I felt like I did okay. I’ve always been good at math, and science too. It’s English I struggle with, and languages. I almost flunked Spanish in high school. Dean had to get me a tutor. But I know enough about math and science that I can usually do okay on a test, even if I don’t study.
English class was next and Maddy came up to me as soon as I walked in the door. She was wearing black leggings and a cropped shirt that barely covered her tits. She’s got a great body. I’m a little surprised she’s interested in me. Not that I’m bad-looking. I’ve worked hard on building muscle and even have visible abs. But I’m still surprised when hot girls show interest in me, probably because I was such a scrawny kid. My brain is still thinking that’s how I look.
After class, Maddy and I went to a coffee place that’s close to campus. We walked there so she didn’t see my crappy car. I wouldn’t care if she had. At least then she’d know I don’t havemoney and she could move on to the next guy. We stayed there for an hour and didn’t make plans to go out again. I got the feeling she wanted to, but I haven’t decided if I like her. She talked about herself the entire time. I couldn’t even get a word in. It’s like she had no interest in getting to know me. Maybe Rob is right and she just wants to use me for my body. I laugh when I think about that. A few years ago, I never would’ve believed a girl would even find me attractive.
My afternoon classes end at three. I drop my stuff off at my room, then text Tara that I’m heading over. I can’t wait to see her. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. I really like her. Even if all we can be is friends, I’m good with that. I just like being around her.
“Hey, Jake,” she says, greeting me at the door with that smile that gets my heart racing. “Thanks for coming over.”
She doesn’t need to thank me. I wanted to be here.
“Are you cold?” I ask, noticing she has a thick scarf wrapped around her neck. But she’s wearing a t-shirt so maybe the scarf is some kind of fashion thing.
“I was a little cold,” she says, going over to the couch. “The shirt’s over here with the sewing kit.”
She has the sewing kit on the coffee table and a spool of green thread set out to match her green shirt.
“This shouldn’t take long,” I tell her. “You got anything else you want me to fix while I’m here?”
“No, just the shirt. Do you want something to drink?”
“Not right now.” I sit on the couch and go through the needles, trying to find the right one. “So how was last night?”
“It was okay. Troy and his uncle watched football while I looked at stuff on my phone.”
“That’s it?” I set down the needle I picked out and turn to Tara. “He didn’t do anything with you?”
“Well, we…you know.”
“Yeah,” I say, not wanting to hear about that. “But you didn’t eat together? Or talk?”
“He had the pizza while he watched the game. And you know Troy. He isn’t much of a talker.”
“He talks when he’s with the guys.”
“Well, yeah, about sports and cars. Stuff I don’t know anything about.”
“How long did you stay?”
“I spent the night. I fell asleep when they were watching football, and when I woke up, it was almost eleven. I didn’t want to take the bus that late.”
“Did you even want to go over there?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
“He ignored you and watched the game. Is that really how you wanted to spend your night?”
“That’s how all guys are.”
“Uh, no. It’s not. When I was with Haley, she was my priority. I didn’t do stuff only I wanted to do. We did stuff we both liked. Haley didn’t like sports, so if I wanted to watch a game, I did it with Dean or Danny, or one of my guy friends.”
“Well, most guys aren’t as nice as you.”
“You can find one. You don’t have to be with someone who acts like you’re not even there.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” She picks up the end of her scarf, messing with it to distract herself from whatever thoughts are in her head.
“Tara, you went all the way there to see him. You brought him dinner. The least he could do is talk to you for a few minutes.”
