Leave Not (2) A College Romance

16. Voicemails

Decline.

Every time I rejected a call, the tiny red button on the iPhone that indicates an incoming call remained constant. I did not want to be bothered. So, I turned off my phone in order to block out everything.

I have been trying to force my mind to be in the right frame of mind for my studies over the last few days, but it has been challenging.

Flipping to the next page of my textbook, I read over the chapter that we were currently on in English literature. It is not as tough a class to keep up with, but it has been gradually helping me.

Barely.

Exhaling, I finished noting the possible answers to this week's assignment. Once finished, I closed my textbook and headed out of my room.

I was in nothing but a pair of sweats and a tank. Staying in bed while catching up on my studies has been a challenge, but worth it if it is the next best thing to keep my mind off the nuisances in my life.

Since I yelled at Vaughn and then told Harlow to remove my number from her phone, a few days have passed. Despite the fact that I do not regret our brief exchange with Vaughn, I did feel a little bad about yelling at Harlow at the time.

She has been texting me and asking about me through Kelvin, even though I have been doing my best to ignore her. She even managed to seize my roommates, Cody and Lance. I didn't know if she was trying to be a good friend and look out for my best interests or if she was trying to benefit from all this.

But the questions develop. We barely knew each other, and I held no trust for her, but she's given me no reason to doubt her with ill intentions.

With a shake of my head, I cleared my thoughts and made my way into the kitchen. The sound of the door clicking before opening grabs my attention as I head to the fridge. Cody walks in with a gym bag. With the way he was dressed, I'd say he just came from the gym.

"He finally leaves his room." He chuckles while closing the door behind him.

"What's up," I acknowledge, ignoring his words.

Staying in my room all day has been something I needed. I just needed a break. Just today. And that gives me enough time to gather my thoughts and avoid the issues that are attempting to arise in my life.

"Nothing much," he shrugs. "I have to make arrangements to go to my parents' house."

Right. His birthday.

"So what are you going to do on your day?" I grabbed one of my water bottles.

He entered the kitchen and said, "I do not know yet." However, I am aware that Kel is planning a surprise. "But I do know Kel is throwing a surprise party. The guy is a shitty liar."

Not really surprised. Kelvin was horrible at keeping things like a party a secret.

"He wants to go all out for you, and this is his last year to celebrate with you." I offered.

He pulls out a Monster drink before closing the fridge. "One of many fears," he sighs. "Kelvin is a good friend of mine, and he thinks the moment we go our separate ways, we will lose touch."

I can imagine. On this journey we call life, many lose friends. The most common reasons for friendships to end are falling out or drifting apart, but the success of those relationships depends on how much work each person is willing to put into them.

I've been in contact with both Blaze and Ronan since I left Durant. We kept in touch, and I could tell someone right away where both of them were.

Blaze is still settled in Seatle, and Ronan remained in Durant, trying to figure out what to do with his life.

"That's my brother," Cody says. "And I owe him a lot. He helped me out in the toughest situations."

"I understand," I nod. "And I'm sure he knows nothing can break your brotherhood."

Hell, I wouldn't know what I'd do if that bond with Blaze or Ronan was broken.

"Yeah." He nods slowly, taking in my words. "So, what's up with you and this Harlow chick?"

"Nothing," I answered in a flat tone.

One of Cody's brows lifted as he gave me a look. "You sure?"

"Positive," My tone is firm. "There's nothing going on with me and her." And I meant it.

"She's been asking about you. A little over an hour ago, I saw her at the gym. She told me that she has been trying to call you, but you haven't been answering her. I had no idea that you two were exchanging numbers."

"We didn't." I rubbed a hand through my hair. "She got not only mine but the rest of the team's numbers and put me in a group chat along with sending out private invitations with selective players."

I go into further detail, explaining what I know and the chances of college players going pro. It was a bit suspicious, and I was going to be alert.

Freshman year is the start to something greater in my life and I'd be damned if I allowed anyone to mess it up for me.

"Kelvin told me about that. Seems a little suspicious, if you ask me."

"Yeah," I murmured. In that moment, my phone plays a ringtone. Not bothering to check it, I make my way to the cabinets in where I kept my things. I could feel Cody's gaze following me.

"Not going to answer?"

"I haven't been accepting any calls today." I shrugged. "I'm not in the mood to deal with bullshit."

"Fighting with your girl?"

"What? No." My brows furrowed as I searched through the cabinets. "We're good. When I say bullshit, I mean Harlow and other people that won't leave me alone."

"Sending everyone to voicemail," Cody observes with the slow nod of his head as if understanding. "I should take a page out of your book with social media."

While we ventured off to do our own thing, there was silence around us. He went to his room, and I was able to find a snack to take my mind off of what was going on around me.

-

Thoughts?

A bit short but necessary. Call it a filler. Continue on to the next chapter.