A Touch of Sunshine (gxg)

Part 4

I was absolutely exhausted the next day as Stephan drove me to campus- I had the cooks make me a coffee with extra espresso- but it didn't seem to do anything.

I wasn't looking forward to this second day. My first day- and night- was not something that made me look forward to my second day of classes.

However- I was hoping to see Jillian again. I was having trouble getting her caring nature off my mind.

But there was another girl that was taking up a good part of my headspace- Valerie Maddow.

Maybe I could just talk to her? Agree to coexist on campus, like our families do in the country?

I couldn't have a repeat of the party. I was worried that word got out to my mother about it already.

I was feeling a bit hurt that Ellie or any of her friends didn't come after me when I walked out of the party. Sure, I saw Ellie going off on Valerie. But I was hoping that even after the fact maybe she came after me?

Ellie and I were close. She was my only cousin that was the same age as me. It would hurt if she didn't even try coming after me.

I got my answer when she ran up to me.

"Where the hell did you go last night?" she asked me, pulling me in for a hug, "After I reamed out Valerie Maddow, Leisha and I were looking everywhere for you."

Good. I'm glad.

"I wound up meeting a girl who helped me find a phone booth. Then Stephan picked me up." I said as we pulled away, "But thank you for thinking of me. And for standing up for me."

"Of course! I wasn't going to let Valerie get away with that. Even though she laughed in my face when I yelled at her." Ellie grumbled.

"I am going to try to talk to her. Let her know we need to coexist on this campus without drama." I said.

"That's a good idea." Ellie said, "I'll be right by your side if you want me to be."

"Thank you." I smiled at Ellie.

"Who was the girl that helped you find a phone booth?" Ellie asked me.

"Her name is Jillian Breyer." I said back.

"Oh, the soccer team captain!" Ellie said, "I don't believe I have spoken to her, but I have heard she is quite nice."

"She was very kind."

"She's quite fit too, isn't she?" Ellie chuckled.

I was caught off guard.

Does she know?

"What?" I said back. What else was I supposed to say?

"It's just banter." Ellie laughed, "Let's go to class."

When I got to my Chemistry class, Valerie snickered at me as I walked past her. I guess she thought she "won" last night by telling me off.

This wasn't going to go on any longer.

She was sitting diagonally in front of me. I decided to ask her if we could speak after class. Before the professor started the lesson, I said, "Valerie. I need to talk to you."

Ellie looked at me, and so did the girl Valerie was sitting with. Valerie, however, did not.

"Valerie. I know you can hear me." I said.

I saw Valerie roll her dark eyes, and then she turned around.

"What?" she asked, looking unamused, "Do you want me to humiliate you again?"