Crushing Emeralds

Chapter Eighteen

After changing into clean clothes and laying in bed, Evan and I sit staring at each other in silence.

“Since when are you on friendly terms with Blake?” I ask.

“I’m not, but I have to give him a shot. I can’t be the annoying freshman that asks for a new roommate. I might get someone worse.”

I flinch at his words. No one can be worse than Blake.

He continues not noticing my repulsion. “I didn’t like him when I first met him, I admit, but I think I made myself clear on all levels.” Evan gives a strong nod at the end of the statement.

“On all levels? What levels?” Panic courses through my body. Unwantedly, I get beyond nervous.

“I said we may be roommates, but we’re not friends. And my friends are not your friends. Especially when it comes you.” His blue eyes stare hopelessly at me. “I told him you were spoken for.”

“Evan…” I’m shushed before I can finish.

“You are spoken for when it comes to him.”

I was silent and could not look him in the face. I’m not something that can just be claimed. Then this gutwretching sickness comes over me. The need to run to Blake and tell him that Evan has a big ego and acts too macho for his own good fights with my better judgement.

What the hell am I thinking? There’s no way in hell will I ever go gravel at Blake’s feet. I just need some sleep to clear my mind. Juse then my stomach rumbles with hunger.

“I’ll go and grab you something to eat.” Evan offers, leaving the room without a approving nod from me.

As soon as the door latches closed I dig out my phone and immediately text Blake. ‘We need to talk, meet me in the library tomorrow at 5pm.’ Still having his number in my phone along with many other contacting options tightens my chest. At least now I know its his fault and not entirely mine.

I wait for a reply for as long as I can. Unlike him, I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing all the time. This connection thing seems to be one sided. Evan knocks on the door before coming in and I rush to hide my phone. He walks in and hands me a turkey sandwich with all the fixing on it. I really didn’t have an appetite, but I know I have to eat something. We sit silent for at least a half an hour until we hear Kordie’s loud voice from down the hall. I’m glad she’s having a great first day.

“Oh my goodness class was awful! Whoever thinks that being an elementary school teacher is easy can so suck it.” She stalks over to her desk, harshly throwing her books. Her eyes remain on the floor all the way to her bed where she finally takes in the atmosphere around her.

I lay white as a sheet most likely from the blood lost in bed buried with blankets and a half eaten sandwich on my nightstand. Evan’s concerned eyes stay on me, willing me to explain.

“Holy crap what happened? Last thing I knew you just fainted now we reminisce the old days.”

“I’m perfectly fine, this bleeding spontaneously won’t happen again. Trust me.” I say thinking about the near future conversation I’m going to have with Blake.

Evan opens his mouth as to speak, but I cut him off. “No more sappiness, you got it. I’m going to get some rest and to be raring to go for classes tomorrow. I have my journalism class and I need to be at my very best.”

“That sounds like a fantastic idea. Evan and I will go to the cafeteria to have some lunch then go straight to class.” She grabs Evan’s shirt collar dragging him up from his seat.

Evan reluctantly follows Kordie who is helping him along holding his hand and pulling him out the door, Evan gives me puppy dogs eyes silently begging for me to stop their retreat. But I don’t, I just wave them out the door with a devilish smirk.

My head falls to my pillow and minutes later my eyelids start to get heavy. I don’t even stir as I hear the faint beep of a text message from my phone that is tucked away behind my pillow.