Influence (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 22: The Overthinking

On our way to the dorm, she still doesn't want to talk about it. She doesn't even look at me in the eyes, and it isn't enjoyable. When we arrived at the parking lot, I knew I needed to pry a little for her to talk, "I'm not letting you go after you tell me about it," I stopped her from going back to her dorm. I need to know so I can understand and talk about it.

"Let me go, Cathleen," she yanked my hand, "please, just-"

"I'm begging you to tell me, Jo. I need to understand you," I pleaded.

In disagreement, she shook her head, "I'm sorry but not now, okay? Just give me some time."

"Times for what? We can handle this together," I took her hand and caressed her, "please, don't ever think this is an individual problem. This is our problem."

"No, Cathleen. You have no right to do anything to my feelings. My feelings, My problem. Just give me some time, and I'll think about this," she assured me, and I had nothing to say but give in, "that means no texting, don't talk to me or meet me, okay?"

"But-" I wanted to protest, but she held her finger up.

"Please, Everest. Do me a favour for once," she pleaded, and there she called me by my last name.

I sighed, giving in, "Alright, if you finally want to talk about it, just contact me."

She exhaled in relief, "thank you," she gave me a warm smile and left without looking back.

Just a thank you, she left me even without trying to look back at me. She was not even shaking hands, a kiss, or even a hug. This is all because of me? Was I too attached to her?

~~~

"What did you want to talk about?" Stephanie asked.

Stephanie, Simon, and I are in the campus cafe. I told Stephanie to come here because I wanted to talk about José. But because of Joanne's drama last night, I have no motivation to speak or even look at anyone. I was hiding in my hoodie while sipping my latte.

"So Mason asked his dad about José, and he said the police declared José missing," Simon spoke, and Stephanie was stunned.

Yeah yeah, I heard that.

I let them talk for a while as I was deep inside my thought. What if I lose Joanne for real? What should I do to prevent her from leaving me? I can't just let her think of this problem alone.  It'd just make it worse if I stayed away from her. I can't lose her, like how I lose Stephanie...

It's overwhelmed me. So many thought that I need to be thinking now like José missing, should I forgive my dad or not, trying to find the drug lord which we don't even have a clue who they are, and now I need to worry about Joanne leaving me.

I should have been happy after reuniting with my family right after Thanksgiving.

It was like a curse whenever I stepped on this campus. The horrible thing keeps adding to my list.

Suddenly I was distracted by Stephanie's phone ringtone because someone had called her and she answered, "Yes sir? Yes, I'm with her... Right now? Alright, we'll be there. Thank you," she took a deep breath before continuing, "so it was the Dean, Mr. Thompson, and he wants to see us in his office."

"Who's us exactly?" I asked.

"You and me," she said while looking at me.

"Are we in trouble?" I asked her.

She shrugged, "I hope not."

"Do you think he knows that we trashed the statue?" Simon asked.

Well, that might be true. But why just now? If that's the case, he should have called us right after he knew. Or maybe that's not the case. What if the Dean that saw me doing donuts in the parking lot was Mr. Thompson?