"...And submit." I say speaking only loud enough to be hearable in my circle, self-congratulating myself on my accomplishment of finishing up the rest of my assignments.
"Is that an I'm done smile?" Rosemary asks as she leaves the counter, and makes her way to me with a steaming hot latte in her hand.
"Uh, yes it is." I smile. "The longest 96 hours of my life." I close my laptop sliding it into my book bag. "Late nights... early mornings, I was starting to doubt my sanity. But I guess all that matters is I am finished."
"Indeed, but it sounded exhausting." She says passing me the latte in her hand. "But last time I saw you, it seemed like you were almost finished."
"Thank you." I say after taking a sip of the steaming drink. "And I was... At least could have been. But decided to do some extra credit assignments." I reveal. Rosemary doesn't need to say anything, as her face says it all. Her mouth drops with surprise and raised eyebrows. "Yeah, I know... But I also know that maintaining my GPA or achieving a higher one will make me scholarship-bound. And with some of the money, I can start my new life with my brother."
"Maya, that's sweet and all." She says, giving me this face of a pitty as she places her hand on my shoulder. "But Maya I beg of you to live to life... for you."
"And that's what I am doing." I smile, wanting to sway away from this topic. "Any plans for winter break?"
"As a matter of fact, I do." She smiles, by her taking a seat with me, she gives me the idea that it's going to be a long story. "I am flying to New York, to spend the holidays with my daughter and her family."
"Oh, the one that married her neighbor from England?"
"Yes, that one. Please don't remind me." She says, seeming quite annoyed about the situation, but she can laugh it off. "He's a really sweet guy for the most part, he has a good job, and takes care of her and my grandkids. It's just I can't look past the infidelity, all those years ago."
"I don't blame you, Rosemary. I would be angry too."
"I thought a raised a better, woman. But it was her choice, I could only advise."
"Well, whatever you don't let him creep under your skin, I guess men have the typical habit of doing that."
"Oh, trust me. I have been searching all the mood relaxers out there." She says she and I both laugh. But mine isn't too sincere, I am not trying to rank our problems. Yet, I am sure staying with the in-laws and drinking hot cocoa around a fireplace in an Upper East Side apartment can't be too bad. "Oh, speaking of men and boys, did you ever get in touch with the boy from..."
Even though she didn't say his name, I alone thinking it, brings a surprise blush that I quickly turn into an eye roll.
"Unfortunately, Yes. He stocked me, and followed me out of class, which I guess was a good thing. Because my car had some issues, he took me to lunch and paid for my car. So I guess we are good from our little accident."
"Oh, good." She says. "I could tell he was sorry, he truly meant no harm."
"Yeah, I guess it's kind of just strange that he came into my life... like some kind of prince charming."
"Well, I truly believe that nothing is incident. But you know, Maya, every girl does need a prince."
"Well, I am still-" My phone starts to vibrate from my backpack, I have a feeling I know who it is. "I guess I should get going. That's probably Laura calling, wondering what time I will be getting back."
"Oh, is something going on?" Rosemary asks, seeming quite concerned.
"No, nothing to worry about. Just her sons are coming home for the holidays, and everything needs to be perfect."
YOU ARE READING
He Had To Go
Mystery / ThrillerTwo college students, Maya Tarver and Eliot Keller seem to have nothing in common. She was born into a broken home, and him and an all American baseball player. But as time goes on, they become nearly inseparable, that is until Eliot's strange and s...
