AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I move through the halls of the Davis building and find Ms. Robbin’s office. I knock and wait for her to answer. I know these are her office hours and though I’m not her student I hope she will talk with me. Cara always mentioned how helpful she was and supportive. I’m hoping she can convince her to come back. To not give up on her dreams. She once told me she has a plan B, but this isn’t right. It is only three months until this semester is over then she could transfer somewhere closer to home. She has always prided herself on having good grades. For her to just drop out is unfathomable. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it, and I know Sassy is on my side when it comes to this as well.
“Come in,” Ms. Robbins yells through the door, and I turn the knob. She is leaned back in her chair, feet propped up on the desk, ankles crossed, with some killer stilettos on and she's eating a tub of ice cream. I pause and check the name plaque. This doesn’t seem like a professional psychologist, let alone a professor here that deals in the taboo.
“What can I do ya for?” she asks, not even looking up from her snack. She’s scraping the little container as if it’s not empty. She frowns, then tosses it in the garbage. Placing her spoon on a napkin, she drops her feet to the ground. I shuffle forward awkwardly and shut the door. When her eyes meet me they raise.
“I don’t know you, do I?”
I shake my head and she sighs, “Okay then, take a seat. Tell me your woes. I really should start charging for this,” she mutters under her breath, and I laugh.
“I get it now,” I say, shaking my head and she raises her brows at me.
“Oh yeah? Please do share with the class,” she quips, waving around the small space as if it’s covered in my peers.
“I get why Cara liked you so much,” I say, before wiping my face of the humor and showing her my sadness.
“Ah, you're one of her men, I take it.”
I nod, and she continues, “She did warn me that they may pop in. I thought it would be Jase, but you seem to have beaten him. So tell me which one are you? The jock, the broken one, the bad boy...no. Ah you must be the boy next door.”
I snort at her descriptions of us and she nods. “Okay Connor, let’s get this over with.”
I take a seat in front of her and disclose everything to her. What happened on Valentine's, following her, her breaking up with me in a roundabout way, which was more confusing than anything else. Her needing to come back here. When I’m done Ms. Robbins has a small frown on her face.
“I see where you are coming from. I really do, but I also know from my talks with Cara she’s not planning to come back. Did you know that she never truly wanted to go to college? She did this as a promise to her dying mother. She fought to come here for her, but now that things didn’t work out, she’s relieved. She has bigger dreams Connor, bigger plans, and if you want to be by her side for any of that, you need to let her fly. Support her. Be her friend if that’s what she needs right now. You know a smart person once said ‘If you love someone, set them free.’”
I stop her and finish the quote. “If they come back it’s meant to be.” I sigh and stand. She gives me a nod, then climbs to her feet and surprises me with a hug.
“You’re a good man, Connor. I know you’re set in your morals, but if you would just open your eyes to new things, you may find something extraordinary. I think you already know that.” She releases me and opens her door. “My door is always open except right now—I’m late to teach my class.”
I shake out my hands, then rub them on my pant legs. “Thank you for listening...and for being there for her. I’m glad she’s talking to someone.” I pass her and step out the door when she squeezes my arm.
“You got this Connor, just give her some more time.”
I give her a nod then head off to my own class.
I really think about what Ms. Robbins said, and if this is what Cara needs to be happy I will try and give her space. All I ever wanted to do in this life was make her happy.
Xavier
I’m not sure what is worst at the moment. My best friend not talking to me for some reason or the girl I love leaving and avoiding my calls. I pass Connor in the hall, but he won’t even look my way. He’s moved out of our dorm and into Sassy’s. I’ve also seen him around campus eating with her and that guy Milo. I wish he would just talk to me and tell me what I did that was so bad. The last time I saw him before his disappearing act he was passed out drunk. I went to talk to Cara but she was on her way to the bus station with Sassy. I followed them like a total creeper, then scared the shit out of Sassy and was throat punched. We talked, she cried, then I brought her home. What the fuck could I have done wrong?
“Come on, crazy girl. Let’s get you to bed.” She nods and I stand offering her my hand. She bats it away and stands by herself. I laugh, though it’s hollow, and follow after her. It’s late but there is still one more thing I need to do tonight. I drop Sassy off at Jhonson Hall then go back to the Kippa Nu party. It’s time I had a talk with someone, and I’m not leaving until I do.
I arrive just as people are starting to leave. I move up the stairs but someone stops me.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I was you,” Ella slurs and points towards the entrance. I stop and turn towards her. She’s barely awake. How drunk is she? I take a seat next to her.
“I actually came to see you. We need to talk.”
She snorts then starts to laugh. After she’s calmed down I continue. “What went down tonight wasn’t right, Ella. I know you can be a cruel bitch, but I never saw you going as low as what you did to Cara tonight."
She sighs and looks my way with bleary eyes. “Like I have a choice!” she snaps, “Like any of us have a choice. It’s a good thing you’re good looking Xav, because you really are stupid. Look around. Who here is the boss?”
I look around and notice Penny is glaring our way, but looks off as soon as she sees me watching back.
“Okay… what do you mean you didn’t have a choice Ella?” She leans closer to my ear, her lips lightly trailing my neck, but I hold still so she’ll tell me what I need to know. Her breath reeks of vodka and orange juice.
“One thing Penny loves more than colonics is blackmail. She has dirt on everyone. Even those Hawthornes. She calls them her little pets.”
