“I need to get some air. Be right back,” I said breathlessly. He smiled faintly and released me from his grasp.
I trudged toward the exit desperately. I looked over my shoulder once to see if he was following me, but he stood motionlessly with his hands in his pockets as he watched me leave. In the lobby I passed by Terrance. He rolled his eyes, turned his body away from me and pulled out his cell phone. He probably wasn’t even calling anyone – but just wanted an excuse to look away. Antonio and Megan were seated side by side on the couch carrying on a casual conversation. She laughed obnoxiously at something he said and then they both became aware of my presence at the same time. He and I locked eyes for a brief moment – long enough for him to detect that I was a little stressed, but of course he didn’t understand why. Megan only rolled her eyes at me and then quickly turned away. I pushed my way through the doors and the cool night air caused goose bumps to pop up on my arms. I hugged myself tightly and gazed up at the stars – hoping that the cold air would get my mind back on the right track. I shivered a little, but my only concern was getting away from AJ at this point. I needed to regain control of the feelings I was experiencing.
My attention was yanked toward the door as it opened beside me. Antonio emerged from the building and inched toward me reluctantly.
“Mind if I join you?” He asked.
I shrugged and looked back up at the sky. The wind picked up and I shivered again. He slid his tux jacket over my shoulders and backed away a little. Normally I would have protested, but it seemed innocent enough. “Thank you,” I replied, acknowledging his kind gesture.
He smiled faintly. “You look really nice tonight.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
“This is really it, huh?” His mood seemed dim.
“Yeah, no going back now,” I replied.
There was a long pause. “All set for Charleston?” He asked quietly.
“Yeah, pretty much. How about you? Ready for Blanchard?” I asked.
“I guess.”
“Have you gotten your information for your roommate yet?”
He looked a little confused by my question. “Did you think I was joking?”
Now I was confused. “About…..”
“About getting the apartment.” I was completely shocked. “I move in the first week of August.” Was he still trying to be close to me after I’d made the line between us so clear? I became uncomfortable and pulled his jacket from around me.
“Here, and thanks again,” I stated as I handed it to him and started for the door.
“Wait, wait. Where you going? What’d I say?” He reached out for me, but I was expecting it this time. I snatched my arm from his grasp quickly, but he blocked the door, forcing me to listen to him. “I know you think we’re done and over with, but I told you already. I don’t believe that. And there probably isn’t anything you can say or do to make me believe otherwise.”
I sighed. “Antonio, don’t waste your time or your money trying to be close to me. It’s not going to happen. We’re much better off as friends, and that’s it.” His determination didn’t even weaken a little as I tried my best to crush his hopes – nicely of course. Something about what I was saying wasn’t getting through to him. “What about Megan?” I asked as a last resort.
“What about her?” He asked coldly. “That’s not going anywhere.”
“Well, this isn’t going anywhere either Antonio.” He again ignored my statement. I rolled my eyes and gave up trying to convince him. “Just let me go back inside. Please.”
Behind him I could see AJ walking toward the door. “You might wanna move now,” I said as I folded my arms across my chest. Antonio turned to look over his shoulder and reluctantly moved out of the way. AJ’s expression was furious which I assumed was because he was wondering why Antonio and I were out here talking alone.