Leave it Unread

Chapter 7

The sun peaks through the blinds of our dorm room as I take my pillow and bury my head underneath it. It's Tuesday, so there's no creative writing class today, which means no Ben. On the other hand, no Ben means another day without having to dance around the topic of Kathleen and her relations to me. I know it's only a matter of time before Ben asks me about who Kathleen is, if he hasn't figured it out himself.

I look over and see that it's 9:30, which means Kathleen is in her econ class and I have about an hour before my biology class. I grab my phone and check for notifications and see that Ben has emailed me through our school emailing system. 

Ben Jacobs has sent you a message.

Ben Jacobs has sent me a message.

Hey Barrymore!

I forgot to ask for your number, so I though I'd message you my number through our class emailing system. Text me so I know it's you :) 

-Brees

P.S. Wanna grab coffee before class tomorrow? Your treat.

P.P.S. Kidding. My treat. I don't know how dudes in Cali do it, but my dad would have my head if I had you pay.

P.P.P.S. Not that I don't respect women's right to pay. You can totally pay. Forget I said anything.

I smile as I scan over his number, typing it into my phone to make sure I text him before biology class. A small part of me smiles at the thought of Ben texting me throughout the day to check in, or get to know me further. A small part of me actually believes he likes me in the way that I like him--quick and sweet, just like a college love story ought to be.

Is Ben Jacobs a feminist?  I type, pressing send and laughing as I see three bubbles appear from his number.

Ben: 

Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Am I using that phrase correctly? Yes, BJ is a feminist.

Okay, BJ is totally not what I should call myself.

Don't you have class today? I don't. Perks of being a star. Wanna go over the peer-review schedule in the stacks? 

I'll annoy you until you answer. That's what friends do, since you're a loser and all. Gotta teach you the cool ways. Meet you by the coffee cart by the union at noon. 

I laugh and head to the floor's shower, for once taking a moment to think about how to respond to the first person who leaves me at a loss for words in the best way possible.

My text is witty, in a way that goes beyond what I could ever have Kathleen say to any of the guys she meets through Tinder. It's all me and all for me: Haven't you seen Never Been Kissed? The loser always prevails. See you at noon.

***

Biology consists of going over the lab schedule, procedures, materials, and a first week assignment that is basically all about making sure we're safe in the lab. I know no one in the class, of course, which subjects me to having to introduce myself to a group of people who would rather be burning in a torn down Sears parking lot than taking Biology 101 or hearing about my interests.

When I walk back to the dorms to change into something more comfy (I had decided that the first week will be jeans and nice blouses and slowly go down from there), I get a call from Kathleen.

"Noelle! Noelle, he asked for my number!" 

I take my phone away from my ear as she squeals in delight. I stop in my tracks and take it all in--Ben asked for her number.