The Convict

Eight Years Ago

Eight Years Ago

"Hey, have you seen my econ book? I can't find it anywhere." Lesly pokes her head into my room.

"Huh?" I don't look up from my phone as a new text from BB comes in asking what time she should pick me up. I smile and feel all tingly inside.

"Earth to Melony? Econ 100?" Lesly marches over to me and waves her hand in my face.

"Oh," I put my phone done and sit up. "Here," I hand her back the textbook.

"Why do you have it?" she looks at me in annoyance.

"Because you are the best roommate ever and don't mind me borrowing it to copy the homework?" I cross my fingers.

"You could have just asked," she flicks me in the forehead.

"Sorry, I lost track of time last weekend."

"Do tell," she sits down next to me.

"Nothing like that," I playfully push her. "I was just hanging out with BB."

"You two have been hanging out a lot lately. If I knew you two would hit it off so well, I would have invited you to study group a long time ago." She jokes.

"She's just... fun," I feel my cheeks flush.

"Aw, Mel has a crush." She teases me.

"No I don't! Get out! Go on, you got your book," I push her off my bed.

She laughs and stands to leave.

"How many dates have you two been on anyway?" Lesly adjusts her glasses.

"They are not dates, we are just two girls, hanging out."

"Right," she drags the word out.

"I'm not gay," I force a nervous laugh.

"No one said you had to be. You can have a little fun without putting labels on it. We are in college now. No more lame high school drama, no parental supervision, nothing standing in the way of you two. If you ask me, I think it's high time you two take it to the next level. I mean you two have been making lovey-dovey eyes at each other since high school. Come on Mel, give her a chance. Go wild, have fun. Who's gonna stop you?" she raises a brow.

I blush at the implications of her words.

"Just relax Melony, it's your business. Don't hold yourself back." With that, she turns and leaves.

I grab my phone and stare at the text before smiling and sending a quick response.

Now.

Then I get up and quickly get dressed.

Maybe Lesly's right, this is why she's the smart one. Always have a best friend who is smarter than you, you'll never regret it.

Maybe I should give BB a chance. I mean it's not like it isn't obvious she has a huge crush on me. I was always so intimidated by her in high school. She was so effortlessly cool and collected. I wanted to be like her.

It's her style, her charisma, the way she naturally glows when she smiles. She's so tall that she always stands out in a crowd and while it may drive boys away from her, it's always drawn my eye. She never let her differences bother her. She doesn't care about how tall she is, or the color of her skin, or the texture of her hair, she owns it and owns it well. What I would give to have confidence like hers.

If it wasn't for Lesly I probably would have never gotten up the courage to talk to her before high school graduation. Now I am finally eighteen and finally out of the house and in college. Now is my chance to see if maybe... maybe the two of us...