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“That’s absolutely b-beautiful.” Stuttering, my voice trailed off, captivated by the field scene of running stag, bears, wolves, and birds in mid-flight over what looked to be a topographical map of an old town. “What is it called?” I felt myself compelled to reach my hand out as if I could touch the life-like painting of animals, so real, but it was easily a dozen feet above me on the ceiling. Warren was behind me, barely an inch between us now. My hair slipped from its messy bun, slowly resting heavy on my neck, blocking out his feather-light breath. His chin could rest on my head if he wanted and his arm slowly released me, taking a step back and putting a reserved distance between us.
A bob of his throat and he spoke. “They call this mural The Founding Forefathers.” I looked up again, taking in the surreal beauty inside the mere residence hall.
“Founding, huh?” This was a unique campus.
“Yeah.” Gruffly, he said nothing else.
“It’s stunningly real.” My throat dried and Warren pushed a stray hair off my cheek.
“Kerri Harper, welcome to Woodland Creek. Officially.” He was smirking and my legs were unsteady blobs of pudding looking at his handsome face. It was the second welcome I’d gotten since I arrived there a bit worse for wear. Nodding and moving on, we took the wide staircase up to the third floor. I opted for the co-ed hall and the walk up wasn’t bad. Pictures of more wildlife rested against old plastered walls and I thought that maybe taking the stairs every day would be good for me.
“Here we are. Room 34.” I turned at the door and Warren stood almost blocking the hallway from view. My room was at the end of the hall and I guessed that was where my time with him ended.
“Kerri…I, uh…” He had his hands in his hair that I wanted to touch so badly. Oddly, his hair seemed shaggier again than when he’d picked me up at the clinic merely a half hour earlier.
“Warren…” I didn’t know what we were about to say when the door burst open and a slender girl around my age bubbled out.
“Warren? New roomie? Get the fuck outta town.” She jumped, hugging Warren, and then tugged my good hand cheerfully.
“Huh?” Speechless, she pulled me into the room with two twin beds on either side made up in matching purple quilting and sheets.
“I’m Reagan Avril. I didn’t know you were dating Warren.” Her energy was like lightning, bounding and zinging around the room.
“Oh, I’m not…we’re not…uh, dating?” An epic blush stained my face with heat, and both Warren and I stood farther apart as if that would dissuade this stranger.
“How could you tell?” Warren looked kind of upset, his tone flat.
“The pheromones practically ooze from you both. How could you not tell? Seriously, you’d be the worst poker player, Warren. Come on, didn’t you take that Veterinary Sciences class freshman year?” Reagan shrugged the answer off as if that would explain everything. “Well, don’t be shy, you two, tell me how you met.” Confusion kept me silent and I let Warren do the talking, figuring it was easier that way.
“Kerri had a car accident on her way into town from the storm. She’s here for the graduate teaching program. She’s new to Woodland Creek.” I noticed a look passed between the friends and Reagan seemed to nod, understanding something.
“And luckily paired as my roommate. Oh, this is so awesome! Not the accident, of course, but that we can be besties!” Reagan’s enthusiasm was contagious. It comforted me that she liked me already. Shrugging off any peculiar feelings, I set out to get to know my new roommate.
“Warren’s right. I’m in the scholar’s program. My car is probably trashed, though, but I do have some things still in the trunk I need to get. I didn’t really think about that this morning.”
“No matter, the boys can bring them over and we’ll get you settled in. Easy Peasy!” Reagan was a bright light in my otherwise dim prospects of friendly people in my life.
“Yeah, that’s not a problem. I have work later, but I can swing by tomorrow afterward if that’s okay.” Honestly, it relieved me when Warren readily agreed to help; again he was being nice to me.
I should have been expecting this from people in my life all along, the being nice thing. It was a new feeling and I hoped that maybe I could turn over a new leaf that fall. New school, new town, new beginnings as I sank down on the soft already made bed, thankful. “Thank you so much.”
“Hey, it means I can see you again and you can’t say no.” His eyes met mine again and lingered until Reagan jumped up, taking my bag and pushing him out.
“Bestie bonding time! Go! Go! Go!” We all laughed a little awkwardly and Reagan rushed him out of the room, chirping with zest.
“Make sure she drinks the tea, it helps ease the coughing.” Warren looked serious through his smile and a soothing sensation washed over me to have someone who cared.
“Ugh, you and your dad’s home remedies taste awful.”
“At least have her take the antibiotics. They’re for her scrapes and stuff.” He continued speaking with Reagan. His gray eyes watched me thoughtfully, and the need to do anything else he said overwhelmed me.
“I’ll do it, thank you.” Placating them both, Reagan went back to pushing Warren out the door, who gave up protesting.
“All right, quit squawking, I’m walking. Make sure you take her to the student center on campus for a new phone.” Warren gave Reagan more directions and me a wave as he left. Smiling, I lay back on my new bed with the promise of seeing him soon making me glow and forget I was with another stranger in Woodland Creek.
Chapter Seven
“A man is judged by his deeds, not his words.” Russian Proverb
