CAMPUS HEARTS

CHAPTER 12

I woke up to the sound of voices drifting in from the living room.

Groaning softly, I opened my eyes and pushed myself out of bed. I stretched until my back gave a satisfying c***k before shuffling toward the bathroom.

The first thing I did every morning was brush my teeth. Morning breath was absolutely disgusting.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom and followed the voices into the kitchen.

Molly was standing by the front door, arranging several boxes while Ruby paced around the room, talking so fast she barely stopped to breathe.

Then I remembered. Right. Molly was leaving for her parents' house today.

"...Like why would she bring a guy into our room without my permission?" Ruby complained dramatically. "That's so gross! I literally walked in on them having sex."

I blinked. She was definitely talking about Rebecca and Henry. "I'm not stepping foot back into that room until she disinfects the whole place." Ruby shuddered dramatically. "Especially the kitchen counter. Oh my gosh!"

She gagged at the memory. Molly looked completely exhausted from listening to the nonstop rant.

The moment she spotted me, relief washed over her face and regret on mine, because I knew what she was about to do. "Good morning, Kathy!" she said quickly. "Can you believe what Rebecca did?"

Before I could answer, she slipped out of the kitchen, leaving me completely alone with Ruby.

Traitor.

Ruby immediately turned toward me, looking ready to continue her speech. It was far too early for this. "Did you hear us?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Ruby. I heard you." I continued, "I heard that Rebecca brought a guy into your room and you accidentally walked in on them."

Ruby groaned loudly and buried her face in her hands. "Please don't repeat it." she did like she was crying, "I still need therapy from that trauma."

I laughed. "I'm planning on kicking her out for the entire week," she continued. "Or..."

Her expression brightened. "I could stay with you while Molly's away." She clasped her hands together. "You'll probably be lonely."

She flashed the biggest puppy-dog eyes I'd ever seen. Too bad they didn't work. "Sucks for you, Ruby. I walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed the milk. "You'll be spending the entire week with Rebecca."

I poured cereal into a bowl before adding milk. "I actually want the apartment to myself."

She sighed dramatically. "Fine."

Then another idea lit up her face. "What if I paid you?"

I paused. Pretending to think about it, I tapped my chin. "Two hundred and fifty dollars..." She smiled hopefully. "...per day." I smiled, "...for the entire week."

Her smile disappeared. She glared at me. "It's your loss anyway."

I couldn't help laughing at her expression. Taking my bowl, I sat on one of the kitchen stools and began eating. A few minutes later, Molly returned, now fully dressed.

"I'll be leaving soon," she announced. "Simon is already on his way." Ruby and I both nodded while Molly poured herself a bowl of cereal.

As she ate, Ruby suddenly turned toward me. "I still want to know how you managed to grab Charles Martinez."

I nearly choked on my cereal. "Grabbed?" I stared at her. "Is he a football?"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. How did you obtain him?"

"That's somehow worse."

She groaned dramatically. "Okay... how did you make him yours?"

"He isn't mine."

"Jeez." She looked toward Molly. "Please help me."

Molly chuckled. "I think what Ruby means is..." She rinsed her bowl in the sink. "...how did you get Charles Martinez to ask you out?"

I nodded. "See? That's much better."

Just then Molly's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen before smiling. "He's here." She hugged me tightly. "Have a good week."

Ruby blew her an exaggerated kiss. "Don't forget about us!"

Laughing, Molly picked up her bags and headed for the door. The apartment suddenly felt much quieter after she left.

Ruby immediately turned back to me. "Now answer my question."

I sighed. "It's fake, remember? I didn't really 'grab' him." I purposely emphasized her choice of words.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Whatever."

"But he could've asked literally any girl at Dake College." She leaned closer. "So why you?"

I opened my mouth. Then closed it again. That was... Actually a good question. Why me? Out of every girl on campus...

Why had Charles Martinez walked up to me? "Because..." I began..Ruby waited eagerly. "...because..." I frowned. "I honestly don't know."

She blinked. I tried again. "Maybe he knew my name already, or Maybe he saw me somewhere before. Maybe he just randomly decided I looked suitable."

Even I knew how ridiculous that sounded. Ruby rested her chin on her hand. "Maybe." She smiled. "But one thing is obvious. He found you attractive."

"I mean..." She shrugged. "Charles Martinez doesn't exactly ask out girls he isn't attracted to."

I shrugged too. "Maybe."

She pointed dramatically at me. "I've decided something."

"Oh no."

"I'm coming to you for relationship advice."

I laughed. "Absolutely not. I'm the last person you should ask." I paused, "Have you seen my dating history?"

She nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point."

She counted on her fingers. "Rebecca is in whatever weird situationship she has with Maxwell. Molly hasn't dated anyone since her ex dumped her two years ago. And you..."

She looked at me mischievously. I narrowed my eyes. "Don't."

She burst into laughter. After calming down, she became unusually serious. "You know... My parents believe you shouldn't date someone unless you're planning to marry them."

She looked thoughtful. "But I always wonder... How are you supposed to find the right person if you never explore?"

I leaned back in my chair. "I've done plenty of exploring." I sighed. "And I still haven't found 'the one.' So I don't think it's that simple."

Ruby smiled. "That's exactly why I'm rooting for you and Charles." I groaned. She ignored me. "I want him to be the one."

We both burst into laughter.

---

The rest of the day passed surprisingly quickly. We watched movies, talked about random things, and even cooked lunch together.

Ruby stubbornly refused to return to her apartment.

"It's contaminated," she insisted. "I refuse to sleep in a room that's been infected by... unwanted fluids."

By five o'clock that evening, I'd already showered and was deciding what to wear for the dinner. Just then...

A loud car horn echoed through the apartment complex. Ruby practically launched herself toward the window. She peeked through the curtains. Then let out the loudest scream I'd heard all day.

"Oh. My. Gosh!" She spun toward me with wide eyes. "Your boyfriend just pulled up..." She pointed dramatically out the window. "...in a white Lamborghini!"