Molly Ryan - A Real Disaster

Where did he go?

Was I just a booty call to him?

Was I tricked?

I sat straight up, my heart pounding in my ears, and looked around. My eyes fell on a ripped piece of paper taped to my phone. Curious, I pulled the paper off and stuck it in front of my face, willing my eyes to focus on the words.

Dear Lily,

Before you go start thinking things that you shouldn’t be thinking, I didn’t run out on you. This wasn’t a one night stand and I’m not going to find another girl to lay tonight. My band called and they said they had some sort of emergency. They needed me right away and you looked so peaceful that I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I’m sorry.

I’ll call you later today since I know we have a lot to still talk about. And I’ll come by to help you study, like I promised. Let me know if you want to study at my place or your dorm. I’ll make us dinner.

Nash

As my heart fell back into its original rhythm, I settled back down and smiled. Nash and I were together. Who would have thought that would happen? I sure as hell didn’t but I wasn’t going to lie and say I didn’t like it or that I wasn’t excited. Tucking the note under my pillow, I pulled the blanket off of me and stood up.

Every step I took my muscles cried in protest. If I was going to get through the day I would need to start with a hot shower and some Advil. Oh and I couldn’t forget the coffee.

I wrapped my robe around me just as the door to the dorm opened and Sabrina came strolling in.

“Good morning there, sleepyhead,” Sabrina said. “Have a good night?”

“It was okay,” I said, keeping my face blank. “I’m surprised that you didn’t come back. How was your night?”

Sabrina shrugged and her eyes darted down. I knew that morning wasn’t a good time to be asking Sabrina any questions. If she wanted to tell me what was wrong she would.

“Did you sort everything out with Nash?”

Just his name sent shivers down my spine and blood to my cheeks. I couldn’t help but wonder if Sabrina could tell exactly what Nash and I did last night. I definitely hoped she couldn’t.

“Yeah, he thinks that everything will be okay.”

“And?”

“And I agreed,” I told her. “I told him that I would be willing to see what happened but that I wasn’t making any promises. I also told him that I was scared. He got that.”

“I knew he would. He’s that type of guy. He’s sweet and really cares. He’s also a bit full of himself but that’s only because there’s no one else around to compliment him or support him. Deep down, though, if you needed him he’s going to be there.”

Again I wondered how Sabrina knew Nash so well and I was itching to ask her.

But did I want to know the answer?

“I think I’m going to hang at his place tonight. He’s going to help me study for midterms and everything.”

“Sounds fun.”

 “Yeah... Well, I’m going to take a shower,” I announced. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Bringing my clothes with me, I crossed the room and down the hall into the shower. Thankfully it was still too early for anyone else to be awake and the bathrooms were empty. Tucking my clothes into the cubby, I hung my robe and towel on the peg and slipped into a shower stall. Turning the water on as hot as I could handle it, I let the drops pierce my skin like little knives, cutting me open and smoothing out all my aching muscles. Water fell on my hair, soaking it, and droplets trickled down my spine, hugging all my curves and crevices. After I lathered my hair with shampoo, I began to wash, closing my eyes, and as I washed, I thought about all the places Nash’s hands touched. My collar bone, my ribs, my breasts.

Suddenly the main door opened and I heard footsteps walking towards the locked stall that I was in. My eyes widened.

“Lily?” Sabrina knocked on the door. “Lily, are you okay? It’s been, like, an hour since you got into the shower. Did you pass out?”

“I’m fine,” I said, hating the quiver in my voice. “I’ll be out in a little bit.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked. “Do I need to go get someone?”

 “No. I’m coming out now.”

Quickly rinsing my hair, I pulled all my toiletries into my carry-all and wrapped a towel around my body. I stepped out of the shower and bumped into Sabrina, nearly falling back. Thankfully Sabrina grabbed my arm, pulling me up and steadying me.

“Thanks.”

“You don’t look okay.”

I shook my head.

“I was just taking a long shower is all.”

“Good, thought something happened to you. Come on and get dressed, then the two of us can go get breakfast.”

“Sounds like a great plan,” I said and followed Sabrina back to the room.

* * *

If someone asked me what I learned the day after I had sex with Nash I wouldn’t be able to tell them. I wasn’t paying attention in any of my classes; my mind was drifting off to the gorgeous guy waiting for me to get back to my dorm. If I didn’t take notes, on autopilot none the less, I would have nothing to study from.

Finals week went by in a blur. Nash helped me study and I shuffled from class test to class test, every second wishing that I could be with Nash. Every text message he sent, sent a jolt of excitement through my body. Thankfully it was over and I could just be with Nash on my break.

As Nash I sat on the couch in my dorm’s common area, I thought about how my life had changed so quickly. I went from no friends to two really good friends in Sabrina and Elizabeth. I went from no guys wanting me to two. It was unbelievable.

“Hey Lily,” I heard someone say.

Before I could say something in response, a shadow loomed over us. I looked up and the heat in my body turned to ice as I saw Turner standing there, staring at the two of us.

“Turner, hey,” I said breathlessly. “What’s up?”

“Not much,” he said.

His words were slipped and dripped with cynicism.

“So what’s going on here? Rumor has it that you two are the new it couple...”

“It’s not-”

“Yeah we are,” Nash said, cutting me off.

“Cool, I just came to I’m cool with it.”

Turner turned to me and I could see the ice in his eyes.

“At least I know why you didn’t want to go out with me now. You know, you could have just been honest and told me. You didn’t have to lie.”

“I didn’t lie,” I said and glanced at Nash.

He had an amused expression on his face but I knew that he was listening to each and every word that came out of my mouth.

“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I see you as a good friend, Turner. Isn’t that good enough for you?”

“No, but it looks like it’s going to have to be. You’re not giving me much of a choice, are you?”

“I don’t think she is,” Nash said, responding for me yet again.

I didn’t mind him speaking for me as long as he didn’t become over controlling. I still wanted to do things myself.

“Turner, if you want to talk, we can go talk. But let’s not make a scene, okay? I don’t want people staring at us.”

“Yeah, otherwise get the fuck out of here! Go find another girl!” Nash shouted.

At that moment I figured Nash crossed the line. Everyone in the common area was now watching, waiting for a fight to break out. But to my surprise, and the disdain of everyone else, Turner turned away and stomped out, slamming the door behind him. There was a thick silence in the room while everyone looked from me to Nash. But finally the room slowly filled up with mindless chatter.

“Are you okay?” Nash asked.

I knew that he saw my pale face and shaking fists.

“Lily?”

“I’m fine,” I bit out.

“Just ignore him. He’s just angry because you don’t want to be with him. Plus, he hates me and that only makes it worse.”

I wasn’t sure that was the whole story...

“I’m fine,” I said again, this time softer. “Rain check?”

“Of course,” Nash said.

Clouds rolled in the sky, hovering over the college and threatening to open up. I hovered near the window, a blanket wrapped around my body, and watched as the clouds grumbled. Lightning flashed and I jumped, moving away from the window. I turned to watch Sabrina as she painted her nails. She blew on the fingers she just painted, her eyes never leaving my face.

“What’s going on?” she asked, climbing on top of my thin mattress.

I rested my head against the wall and yawned.

“Nothing, this weather just sucks.”

“Aw are you missing your little boyfriend?” she teased. “You didn’t get enough kisses or hugs before he left you?”

“Oh shut up. You’re just jealous because Nash is my boyfriend and not yours.”

Sabrina snorted.

“As if I want to deal with his baggage again.”

Again? Did she just say again? Sabrina went back to her nails but I couldn’t stop staring at her. What did she mean by again?

Did Sabrina date Nash? It seemed like she did…

“Sabrina,” I said, my voice sounding louder then I meant in the small room.

She jumped, painting her toe instead of the nail.

“What?” she said.

She glared at me as she tried to wipe the nail polish off the toe without smudging the nail.

“Do you mind not having a spastic moment? Now what are you squawking about?”

“Did you and Nash…” I bit my lip.

This was harder than I ever imagined.

“I mean… Were you and Nash…”

Sabrina through her head back and laughed.