It will be awkward seeing Clarissa in the light of day after what happened last night, with me hooking up with her Sorority sister. Hope she’s cool with it, she should be, we’re just friends. She has made it perfectly clear to me time and time again.
When I walk into class I don’t see her at first. As class starts there’s still no sign of her. Hmm, not like her to miss a class. Now as for me, I usually end up not making it to my classes on Fridays after a late Thursday night of partying, but I made the effort this morning because I want to make sure Clarissa and I are cool. It doesn’t sit right with me that she’s not here this morning. Could she be mad or upset about last night? Not possible, she has no good reason to be. She has had numerous chances to express her feelings for me, but I know she is devoted to this mystery lover of hers. Heck she even shot down my man John, who definitely has a way with the ladies. This guy of hers must be a stud or something, he is one lucky son of a B****. Professor Montgomery dismisses us and Clarissa never showed today.
Jason: Where are you?
Clarissa: Who wants to know?
Jason: Are you ok?
Clarissa: Why wouldn’t I be?
Jason: Where are you?
Five minutes go by and still no reply from her. Where the hell is she? She is acting strange and it concerns me, could she be upset about last night? Why did I hook up with Nicole? It was a bad idea and I knew it. She has already texted me this morning. Something tells me to go and check the library and that’s exactly where I find her, in our usual spot.
“Hey,” I say when I walk up to her and she has her nose buried in a book.
“Hey yourself,” she says, looking up at me wearily.
“You hungover, why didn’t you make it to English today?”
“No, I didn’t drink that much last night,” she replies.
“What’s up with you then, you’re acting strangely? Is this because I hooked up with Nicole?” I come right out and ask her.
“Look, what and who you do is your business. All I know is it bothered me and I don’t know why. Are you happy now, I admitted it? Let’s drop this now, end of conversation,” Clarissa admits and start packing up her things. I’m so exasperated with her. Why does she keep fighting me and her feelings for me? If me being with Nicole bothered her then she does feel something for me beyond friends, but I won’t dare press it now. I’m in the dog house and I hope I get let out soon. We walk out of the library together without a single word to each other. I watch her as she unlocks her bike and rides off to her Bio class. She’s annoyed with me to say the least, so I don’t even ask her about having lunch today. I need to give her some space to cool off.
seven
CLARISSA
Even knowing Jason slept with Nicole, I am still so tempted by him. His looks, his charm and that body of his don’t go unnoticed. I don’t know how much longer I can deny this attraction. Judging by how upset I let it get me when he got together with Nicole, I must admit the truth, I have feelings for him. I was jealous, plain and simple.
“Please don’t be mad at me anymore, ok? I had a lapse in judgment the other night and I regret it for a number of reasons. One of which, it upset you and I’m sorry,” Jason pleads softly. We’re sitting at our usual table at lunch today.
“Hey, you don’t need to make any apologies to me, you’re a free agent,” I offer.
“Well, then why were you acting so strange, like you were mad at me or something?”
“I don’t know what got into me. Let’s just forget about it and move past it,” I reply.
“Sounds good to me. It’s like we had a fight and we aren’t even together,” Jason says with a deep laugh. I offer him a faint smile, not sure what’s going on between us.
“Maroon 5 is playing at the Forum in a couple of weeks. I know how much you love their music, do you want to go? I can score us some awesome seats,” Jason asks. I suppose this is some kind of peace offering.
“Oh my God, Yes! I love Maroon 5! But shouldn’t you be asking Nicole, I’m sure she would love to go,” I tell Jason.
“God no,” Jason mutters.
“Why not?”
“I’m actually trying to get rid of her,” he says.
“I actually feel sorry for her, I knew she liked you. She asked me to introduce you two. She had a bead on Jason Bancroft,” I laugh.
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
“You’re a big boy who can take of himself, figured she might be your type.”
“I want to take you because I know how much you love Maroon 5,” he smiles teasing me.
“Of course I will go, I wouldn’t pass up a chance to see Adam Levine up close and personal,” I swoon.
“What is it about that skinny guy that girls go nuts for?”
“He’s so sexy when he sings, that voice. He was voted sexiest man in People Magazine,” I gush.
“I will suffer through his concert just for you my dear.”
“Awww, that’s so sweet of you,” I reply.
“Does this get me out of the dog house?” Jason asks.
“I think so,” I say, offering him a faint smile.
“Good.”
eight