Never Mine

When Charlie Meets Stawarski

Reed was already waiting by the benches near the library when I came out from the Arts Building. When he saw me, he immediately ran towards me. “Hey!” He even waved at me.

Again, the girls who were outside stared at him stared at us. “Are you ready?” He asked.

I was about to answer him when the basketball team approached us. Well, they approached Reed. “Hey man, it’s nice to have you back, we’ll see you tomorrow at practice?” The tall blonde guy asked Reed.

“Yes, I’ll be at the court before seven,” Reed replied. He gave a few high-fives with the rest of the basketball team who looked at me curiously.

“You are part of the varsity team?” I asked him.

“Yes, since last year. I am actually in my second year right now but I left a few freshman units.” Here he was again, telling me details that I am not interested in knowing. Just like what I have been doing earlier. I walked towards Charlie instead.

“Woah! Is this your ride?” Reed gasped, he was following her from behind.

I nodded. I am already used to these types of reactions whenever people see my car. “It was a gift.” Just like what I always tell others. I wouldn’t want to pass as someone rich, which I am definitely not.

“Shall we go?” I asked him. He was still standing there, dumbfounded by Charlie.

He seemed to hear me and ran towards the opposite side of my car, to the passenger seat. “This is so cool.” He said as he secured the seat belt.

“Thanks,” I tried to make my cold voice even colder.

I turned my radio on to focus on the music. Having someone by the passenger side is something I am not used to.

To my surprise, Red turned down the volume of the radio. “So how was your first day at school?” You’re a freshman right?” He asked.

I thought it was rude not to answer his question. “Fine, nothing really interesting.”

“So why Creative Arts?” He asked further.

“Why not?” I answered. Explaining was never a good trait of mine. I was rather impatient.

“Well, I imagine myself writing something life-changing, something that will send ripples through generations.” He did this thing with his hand that mimicked the movement of the waves.

I smiled a little. It was quite new for me to hear something like this from a guy, especially one that belongs to the basketball varsity team.

“Look, you're smiling. It actually suits you.” He was teasing obviously.

I stared at him, intending to raise one of my eyebrows. But he was smiling ear to ear. It was hard not to laugh.

I focused on the road one more, turning the volume of the music up. This time, he just sat there and hummed. After a few minutes, we reached Suco’s.

I parked at the back. Charlie won’t get too noticed there.

“Thanks for the ride,” Reed said before getting out of Charlie. I nodded and grabbed my bag.

Inside, I was too busy hustling around. My co-waiter was helpful but as soon as I began my shift, it was chaos. Truckers were arriving by the dozen together with students and other motorists from the area. Looks like this place was a favorite among the locals too. Five hours passed by without me noticing the time. I even missed dinner. The smell of the food I was serving was enough to make me feel full.

I was dressed and ready to go. I plan to do a few short readings once I arrive at my apartment before going to bed. My class starts at nine in the morning so I can catch up with plenty of sleep still.

Waiting for a few seconds to allow Charlie’s motor to warm up, Reed came out of the back service door, yawning, clearly tired like me, maybe even more.

“Hey!” He shouted, running towards us - Charlie and me. I usually refer to my car and I as a team. “Can I get a lift back to the University?” He asked.

He surely looks tired. There was even a spot of ketchup on her neck. I thought it was not pleasant to mention it so I just let it stain his shirt. I nodded.

Reed smiled and took the same spot he had earlier that day. I decided not to turn the music on. My thoughts can become too clouded when tired like this.

I look at my side to take a glimpse at Reed. He was too quiet.

Reed was already sleeping, his head awkwardly moving up and down until it finally decided to hang awkwardly from his neck.

Maybe it was even tiring inside the kitchen, it was awfully hot inside.

Unconsciously I drove slower. Maybe he needed to rest a bit. He has a 7 o’clock basketball practice tomorrow.

After twice the time it took her to drive from the restaurant to the University, Charlie finally arrived at the gate.

It felt harsh to wake Reed up but I was starting to feel tired too. I gently tapped his shoulder. “Hey, we're here.”

Startled, Reed woke up, wiping the non-existent saliva dripping from his mouth. I wanted to giggle but I don’t do that anymore. It was also rude to do so.

“Sorry, I doze off.” He was blushing. Do guys do that? Maybe it was me feeling tired. “Aren’t you going to park inside? I can walk you to your dorm room.” He offered. It was cute, but of course, I live outside campus so walking me home, or to my door room was not plausible.

“I don’t live here.” It was the quickest reply I could think of.

“What? Oh, It was stupid and rude for me to assume.” He looked sorry.

“It, ok, the night is still young and I have late classes tomorrow. I have plenty of time to spare.” Why do I have to sugarcoat things? I was dead tired too. He got out of Charlie and walked around the driver's seat.

“Let me make it up to you tomorrow, breakfast maybe? Before your classes?”

It was a tempting offer. But I know better. Avoid complications.

“Thanks but I have someplace to be before class.” I was lying. I was just planning to eat noodles while catching up on some readings before heading to class.

Why did he look disappointed? I am assuming things. Why would he be disappointed? He just met me.

Reed scratched his head and looked at his shoe before looking back at me. Why did his eyes look like they were glistening? I am definitely imagining things. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?” He said.

I nodded. “I’ll go now.” I released the hand brake and saw him moving a bit away from Charlie. I nodded at him before stepping on my gas and driving away from the university gate.

Kicking my shoe to the side of the door, I knew I was too tired to grab a book. I just made sure that my door was locked. I stripped down to my panties, removed my bra, and grabbed one of my favorite shirts. I let my body drop on my bed.

It can still feel lonely at times, being alone like this. But this is way better than living in parking lots, terrified with all the noises I could hear outside Charlie.

Good thing I won that writing contest. The money was really more than enough to get me started. Everything started to get better after that.

Now I have a place I can call home. I sat at my bed and looked around.

This apartment was quite a steal. The open space layout really worked out. I have a full kitchen, a small area I can call my living room. A place for my kitchen table and a study table near my bed. From living inside Charlie to this cozy bed with a nice view of the city. Life is not always bad. Somehow, the light finds its way towards you.

Maybe I’ll join another one in the future. If I win, I could add it up to my savings.

I am thinking too much again. I need to sleep. I switched to my left side, facing the stars scattered in the dead of night, and closed my eyes to sleep. Then out of nowhere, Reed's face appeared. I opened my eyes and tapped my cheeks. "Stop!" I reprimanded to sleep. I covered my head with my blanket and tried to sleep.

Reed arrived at his dorm room. It was completely dark except for the moonlight entering through the spaces between the blinds covering the window. The bed close to the door was still empty. Maybe his new roommate hasn’t arrived yet. He turned on the light.

To his surprise, Lila was already in his bed, looking at him, smiling.

“What took you so long?” She asked while she was getting out of the bed. She walked toward Reed.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Do you really need an answer for that?” Lila started undressing. She was only wearing one of Reed’s jerseys. He left it at the edge of the bed earlier when he was hurriedly preparing for school.

Lila began unbuttoning his pants.

Reed let out a sigh.