The Deep End

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

They sat in silence for a long time, only stopping to break it when they compared notes or had a question. An hour passed that way and Wyatt followed her instructions. He wrote down bullet points of identifiers of unmet needs of Black subjects that caused mental health services to be needed and then slid his notebook toward her for approval.

Her replies were curt.

She had never had to deal with a guy like him before. Most men in her life were family, or friends who often had the same interests as her. He was arrogant, and used to having his way and everything about that irritated her. She did not like her time being wasted, it was one of her biggest pet peeves. Life was fleeting, there was no time to waste. She knew that better than anyone.

Suddenly he stopped flipping through pages and began to rummage through his backpack.

He sat a can of orange Fanta in front of her and slid a box of pizza in her direction. She stopped writing and looked up at him. She had been so annoyed, she hadn't even noticed he had brought pizza.

She raised a brow.

He shrugged, "The cafe opens at 5, it's 8 now. Since I was late, I know you haven't eaten."

She almost scowled. She opened her mouth to tell him she was fine but the smell of the pizza made her pause. Her stomach growled and she sighed. She bit her lip before leaning back in the chair. She was hungry. She had worked an early morning shift at Wendy's, hurried back to campus to shower and then immediately come to the library after.

She moved her notebook over and pushed the Ethics in The African American Diaspora book to the side before scooting her chair up closer to the table.

"Thank you," she said as she opened the box. There were four pieces of meat lovers slices inside. She grabbed one and immediately brought it to her lips for a large bite. Some of the stiffness in her body began to melt away.

He smiled before popping his can of soda open. He leaned back in his seat, his body slightly turned in her direction. His leg was still fully touching hers. She continued to not acknowledge it, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was conscious of him. Not now.

"What's your major?" He said.

She chewed her next bite before looking at him, "Biology, I'm also in route to get the certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion."

His eyes widened, "Damn. That sounds like a lot. What's the dream?"

She laughed a little at that question. "The dream is to get into medical school. I want to be a cardiologist."

"No wonder you're so serious," he said as he shook his head.

"College isn't just about parties and football." She looked him up and down, "And pussy. Life comes after we leave here. All of us should be serious."

He smiled at that. "Was the pussy part necessary? I got your point."

She shrugged, "Again, I doubt it."

He laughed. "You're so damn mean, Tia."

As she popped open her can of soda she smirked. "Only to people I find irritating."

He sat his can on the table and placed a hand on his chest, closing his eyes to dramatically act as if he were in pain, "Right in the heart. I'm devastated."

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. "See, irritating."

"Why a cardiologist?" He asked, suddenly moving his seat impossibly closer. He turned his body so that one of his knees was touching her thigh and his other leg lay right up against her knee.

She took another sip of her soda before placing it on the table. "You can back up. You're damn near in my skin."

He smiled, the motion slow, and playful. "That wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm down, if you are."

She grimaced, "Ew. You really wish."

"I really do."

She opened her mouth to rebuttal but paused as she realized she could smell his cologne. It was heady but subtle. Smelled slightly of oak and rosewood, and a hint of citrus. There was also a twinge of the smell of deodorant and sunshine on his skin. He was too close.

She cleared her throat, "You're never gonna have sex with me, Wyatt. Don't get your hopes up. I'm not interested. Save your flirting for someone who will let you hit."
He didn't quite laugh but instead blew amused air from his nostrils. His eyes looked directly into hers. The smile on his face wasn't sneaky or arrogant, just relaxed. Calm.

"Why do you want to be a cardiologist, Tia?" He asked again.

She met his eyes in return, fighting the urge to look away. "My grandma. She raised me and a few of my cousins. She has coronary heart disease. She's still making it, but she struggles. I grew up watching her struggle to breathe and catch her breath. Saw her pretend she wasn't tired when she could barely get out of bed. Seen all her bottles of medication grow throughout the years. She had a mild heart attack when I was a sophomore in high school. It wasn't a big one but she was so weak after it. She's in her seventies now and it's not getting any better. I want to help her... and if in the end I can't help her in time, I want to help somebody else. This is the only way I can do that."

He searched her face for a moment and then he nodded, "I get it."

She cleared her throat again, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. "What about you? What's Mr. Football's major?"

He chuckled, "That's lame. Come on."

She raised a brow. "Is it... didn't you get mad at me a couple days ago because I didn't know who you were?"

He raised both hands in mock surrender, "Aight, before you start going ham on me. I'm Pre-Law."

It was her turn to snort. Her reaction made him scowl.

"What's with that reaction?"

"I just don't see it. That's all. You don't give, Pre-Law."

"Oh, really? And what does a Pre-Law major act like?"

She crossed her arms over her chest, "For one, they come to class. They don't come to class every other day, they come every day. They act like they want it."

He tilted his head. "I don't act like I want it?"

"No. Not even a little bit."

"I am what I am. You asked, I answered. Take it or leave it."

She frowned, "Ok, well, what's the dream?" She threw his words back at him.

He shrugged, "Business Law. Contracts and commercial matters, international trade legislation."

She tilted her head, as if mirroring him. "You don't sound like you're happy about it."

"My family is full of lawyers. It's what we do."

"But is it what you want to do?"

Thinking about the fear I've had so long... Will somebody here listen "Holding Back The Years" Angie Stone