I had still felt an emptiness in my chest for a while afterwards that I filled with partying and sometimes sex, but that had changed once I came here. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I was in a new setting where no one knew my past, and I could start a new life. So much for that.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that,” Callie said in a quiet tone. “I can’t even imagine. And to not have your mom there for you; she’s supposed to be the biggest support in your life.”
“Yeah, Della, I can’t imagine.”
“So you guys don’t hate me now?”
“Of course we don’t hate you!” Callie sputtered out. “Why would you ever think that?”
“Well, you guys seemed a little distant when you came home, I just thought-”
“You thought wrong,” Zoey interrupted. “We were just a little hurt that we had to read something like that in that scummy newspaper. I’m never reading that thing again.”
“For sure, I’m definitely boycotting that trash. So you’re doing all right now?” Callie asked.
“Yeah, I really am. And you guys have helped with that a lot. I never felt like I had any true friends before, besides Nash, before the two of you. Surprisingly, Justin has helped out a lot too. I think the way we started off a relationship was exactly what I needed. I didn’t want to rush into anything too seriously, and he was the perfect guy for that. And now, well now things are different between us, but a good different.”
Callie and Zoey both nodded their heads at me, smiling at the same time. “We know. I wouldn’t believe that he had changed so much if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, but you guys are great together. I’m glad you decided to try things out with him instead of going for Nash.”
“I totally agree,” Zoey chimed in. “I think Nash was just too comforting for you. If you started up a relationship with him, I don’t think it would have lasted very long. He’s a nice guy and all, but I think Justin is really the guy for you.”
I was surprised that they both seemed to feel that way. They had always skirted around Justin and I dating and had never really giving me any kind of opinion on what they thought of us together.
“Well, enough with the serious talk, I think we need a major group hug.” Zoey and I rolled our eyes at Callie, but let her sandwich us together into a hug.
“Thanks guys, it means a lot that I could finally get this off of my chest. I wanted to tell you for so long and now it feels like I can completely breathe.”
“Okay,” I clapped my hands together. “I think girl’s night needs to start very quickly. I’m going to run over to Shorty’s, get my paycheck, and pick up the food Justin is supposed to have ready for us.”
“Sounds like a plan. Zoey and I are heading over to the movie store to pick out every rom-com there is, and then we’ll stop to get the makings for margaritas. I think those are in some definite need tonight.”
I slipped my shoes back on and waved at them before shutting the door behind me. I smiled as I walked down the hallway, glad that I had gotten that off my chest, even though I wasn’t able to do it my way. What college newspaper really dished dirt on their students? I think I was going to have to make some kind of complaint with the school or something for delving into a student’s personal life.
I pushed the door open, loving the feel of the brisk temperatures here in December compared to back in Connecticut. They had probably all ready seen the first snow for the year. Some of the students who were probably locals, had their winter coats out and scarves wrapped around their necks. I on the other hand, was just fine in the light sweater dress that I had on.
“Well, just the person I was looking for.” I looked up and saw Mariah heading my way. She had something gripped in her hand as she neared me and when she got closer I realized it was the school newspaper. I suddenly had a sneaky suspicion of just who they had gotten their information from for that stupid article.
She pushed it into my hands, but I shoved it back into her chest. “No thanks, I don’t read that garbage.” She smirked at me before shrugging her shoulders. “Well, maybe I can inform you of what exactly it says. It really is a thrilling read.”
“Mariah, probably the only one that cares about that article is you. What did you hope to accomplish by it?”
“For starters, maybe Nash won’t think you’re so perfect anymore. I know he’s still after you. I’ve seen the two of you together. Once he reads this, he’ll want nothing to do with you.”
“That’s his loss then,” I responded, even though it would hurt if Nash stopped talking to me for something I had done years ago. I had met his niece, and she was a great little girl. His sister had accomplished a lot by being a teen mother, she was a lot stronger than I ever was.
“And then I’ll get him back. I know he broke up with me just so he could have a chance with you,” she sneered at me.