Yellow Roses

Chapter 2: Carrie

I'm sitting at my desk trying my hardest to write my english essay, but can't manage to write a single word down. Ugh, maybe I'll pick up on this again later, it's not due until the end of the week anyways.

I close my laptop lid and crawl into bed, hoping to get a nap in instead. I plug my phone into the charger and start to close my eyes and get some rest before I hang out with the girls later.

I'm not sure how much time has passed, but I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing; I blindly answered it.

"H-Hello?" I said in a raspy voice, still trying to wake up.

"Hey cutie, I was calling to ask if you wanted to hang out again tonight." I hear on the other end. That manly voice sounded familiar.

"Kevin?" I responded, finally realizing who it was. "We agreed that was a one time thing. Plus I've got plans later tonight. Sorry."

I heard a sigh and a short pause.

"Ah, it's alright." He responded depressingly. "I just thought maybe I'd still try. See you around."

Before I had a chance to respond, he had hung up.

Kevin has been my friend with benefits for a few months now, a situationship if you will. We had begun flirting over the summer and even slept together recently, although I told him time and time again I don't want anything serious. He agreed, yet still seems to be developing feelings, which is why I've been trying to cut him off.

However, as wrong as it sounds, he's the only man I feel comfortable with to be so vulnerable around. I just have a hard time feeling that deeper connection to him. Maybe the more I see him the more my feelings will develop? I should tell Ava I'm leaving the gathering early to see him.

I picked up my phone again and decided to give him a call back.

"I knew you'd change your mind." He answered, without even saying a hello first.

I chuckled before saying "I promised some friends I'd hang out with them later, but I'll leave early to come see you..." I paused for a moment. "Or come with you, I don't know." I can't believe I managed to spit that out. It was too late to take it back.

I heard Kevin laugh into the phone. "I figured we could get some ice cream, but that works too."

I felt my face get hot with embarrassment. "Maybe we can do both. I'll text you later tonight when I'm ready."

"Alright darling." he started to say, which made me blush. "I'll talk to you later. Bye."

I hung up the phone and felt a mix of emotions. I feel terrible for leading him on, but I also know it's on him if he gets hurt; I told him my intentions many times before.

I went back to my contact list and dialed Ava now. The phone rang for a minute, but she eventually picked up.

"Hey girl, I was just letting you know before I get there that I can only stay for a bit tonight. I have a paper that's due tomorrow I still need to work on. Hope you understand."

That was the best excuse I could come up with. None of my friends know about my situationship, and I planned on keeping it that way.

"Oh, that's cool." She responded. "If you're not busy now though, would you mind coming over and helping me clean a bit? I know that's a lot to ask but the living room is a mess and my parents are gone all night."

I checked the time and saw it was 5:45pm. I suppose lending a hand wouldn't be so bad.

"Yeah, I'll be right over!" I responded before hanging up. Ava lives just down the road, so I got dressed in my oversized graphic tee with some blue jeans and sneakers. While applying some mascara, I noticed the pink streak in my blonde hair was starting to fade; I should get that fixed soon.