*on hold* Until Callan moved in next door, Presley was one hundred percent, completely fine with how her life was turning out.
She never regretted dropping out of college or wasting her days working in a diner for minimum wage. Boredom never plagued...
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"Heatstroke?" I asked, dumbfounded.
It seemed impossible to me that a healthy young man in the prime of his physical performance as an athlete could literally drop dead while playing the game he loved.
"It's not common, but it does happen more than most people realize," Presley said sadly.
She plucked another tissue from the box and dabbed at her eyes. I'd never seen this side of her. Instead of her usual bubbly, upbeat self, Presley was vulnerable and visibly upset. All while somehow still managing to look beautiful.
"A combination of everything caused it... the weather, how hard he'd been going... they said he became severely dehydrated." She lifted her eyes to meet mine.
I didn't have to ask in order to know that Nick wasn't just Presley's friend. Clearly, he was very special to her. She stopped celebrating her birthday to honor him. That said a lot about how close they were.
"I don't know what to say other than again... I am so sorry." I stroked my thumb along Presley's knee. Maybe I shouldn't have, but it was hard not to - especially when the pain she experienced was so damn familiar.
"Thank you. It's just... I get so angry sometimes. And then sad. Sometimes, the two blur together, and I can't tell them apart anymore."
I nodded before contemplating if I should ask the question on the tip of my tongue. It might be overstepping, but I had to know. "You said this happened at your university. Does it have anything to do with why you don't want to go back there and finish your program?"
Presley lifted her shoulder, discomfort etched on her face. "I mean, yeah. I can't even think about being on that campus again. I never went back after everything happened."
Click.
Another piece of Presley's puzzle set into place. Before this conversation, it was like I'd been seeing her through a blurred lens, but now things were coming into focus.
"My mom... she just doesn't get it. I mean, she's sympathetic, but she doesn't understand how I'm willing to 'throw my life away' over Nick." Presley used air quotes and a shrill voice to imitate her mother.
"It's why you refused her money."
Click.
"Yep." Presley laid down, resting her head on one of the hotel pillows. "Why should I get to do all the things he had abruptly taken away from him?"
So many things came to mind, but I wanted to tread carefully. Given how misunderstood she'd felt by others close to her, I didn't want her to stop opening up to me if I reminded her she needed to keep living her life. Without knowing Nick at all, I was pretty sure he wouldn't want her to get by doing the bare minimum. She was too talented. Too strong-willed and tenacious. Too good to punish herself this way for something she had no control over.
