Here's another reason why college is superior to high school: no class on Fridays. Of course, there are a few select classes that meet on Fridays, but that's entirely your choice when you register at the beginning of the semester. Besides, if you could have a three-day weekend every week, why wouldn't you?
I guess it's not truly a weekend for me since I work on Saturdays and Sundays, but at least I've still got my Fridays. The weather is cloudy but warm on this Friday afternoon. Effy and I are a few blocks from our apartment, sitting in the outdoor dining area of a Mediterranean restaurant.
"Wow," Effy says after I summarize my internship conversation with Montrose. "You're going to go for it, aren't you?"
"I don't know..." I say.
"What do you mean you don't know? Jules, are you daft?! That's an amazing opportunity for you."
"I know, but---"
"And isn't that what you've always wanted?"
"Yeah, but... I don't know, it's so soon. I'm afraid of how my parents will take it."
Her expression softens. "What do you mean?"
"I think they thought I was coming here just to study and move back home right after," I explain. "I don't think they anticipated me living here. Like, for good."
She's quiet for a moment, then sits back and crosses her arms. "Let me ask you this, do you want to live here? For good?"
The answer comes in an instant but I pause before replying, "Yeah."
Effy's hazel eyes sparkle. "There it is," she says, pointing at me. "That's how I know you should go for it."
I'm suddenly aware of the overly-wide smile plastered across my face.
When our plates arrive, I know the conversation is over. Once Effy starts eating, there's no point in trying to talk to her.
"What are your plans tonight?" Effy asks as we walk home.
"Nothing," I reply, "probably work on some projects or study."
"Oh, Jules. Always working, even on your day off," she sighs.
"You're the one that says I should go for that internship," I remind her. "Don't you think I should start polishing my portfolio?
She flashes me an innocent smile. "Absolutely. Just not tonight."
"I don't like where this is headed," I say.
"Hear me out. Remember that fellow I met last week? The one that came home with me?"
"Shirtless guy?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Yeah, I remember him."
"Well, he invited me out for drinks tonight and I want you to come with me."
"It sounds like he asked you out."
"Yes, I know, love, but I've also told him to bring a cute friend for you to meet."
I narrow my eyes at her. "Why did you do that?"
"Oh, come on, Jules. In the entire time I've known you, I have never seen you with a single lad before. You never even talk about them!"
I lean in closer and whisper as convincingly as I can, "Had it ever occurred to you that I might like girls?"
She glares at me with a raised eyebrow.
I keep my expression straight and my composure serious, waiting for her to crack first, but I should know better. Effy is the champion of this game.
"Whatever," I finally give in, laughing. "I don't need a guy. I'm dating my career, and we're getting pretty serious."
When we get back to our apartment, I sit on my bed, watching her emerge with several different outfits for my judging. Each one she tries is just as nice as the others but it takes her some time before deciding on one of them.
She stands in the closet-door mirror and adjusts every tiny detail. The black blouse flatters her petite frame, creating curves where there normally aren't. Her skinny jeans conform to her shapely legs and the pumps give her added height. Her makeup is minimal, but her natural beauty makes it look like she spent hours on it, and her short blonde hair is curled, exquisitely framing her face.
"How do I look?" she asks, twirling around.
"Gorgeous," I say, "like always."
Effy smiles bashfully, one of her rare kind of smiles. After collecting her coat and purse, she unlocks the front door.
She looks over at me, standing in the doorframe. "Last call, love."
"Have a drink for me," I reply.
Within minutes, I'm curled up under my covers, sipping hot tea and studying design concepts from my textbook. I've just finished one of the chapters when my phone beeps from the other room. I think about ignoring it but it could be Effy, asking me to rescue her from her horrible date or something.
I grunt as I roll out of bed and head to the kitchen, my comforter still wrapped around and dragging on the floor behind me.
The name on my phone isn't Effy. In fact, there's no name at all. Just an unfamiliar number. Or rather, a slightly familiar number. I open the message.
It's a beautiful evening, hope you're enjoying it .xx
It's Harry. Again.
I start typing back,
Well I was having a great time under my covers until you interrupted!
I laugh maniacally as I start to delete the message but my phone tumbles out of my hand. Fortunately, I catch it just before it hits the floor. Not so fortunately, after checking the screen, I accidentally tapped send.
"Fuuuck," I groan with my hand slapped against my forehead. The drawled syllable bounces around our tiny, empty apartment.
To my horror, he responds shortly after.
Really? May I join you?
"No, you may not, pretty boy," I grumble out loud.
A second later I get a call. It's that same damn number, of course. I could simply walk away or hit decline and get back to the warm corner of my bed. I'll never see him again anyways, so why do I answer it?
"Hello?" I say.
"Are you seriously in bed when it's this nice out?" he asks right away.
"I'm studying," I flatly reply.
"How about you take a study break and come out with me?"
"Where?"
"Idunno, anywhere. Let's take a walk or something," he proposes. "It won't take long."
"Um..." I start to say.
"Come on, this is probably the last decent day we'll have for a long time. It'd be a shame to waste it indoors," he continues to coax.
I stare at my textbook, spread open with the cover facing up. I have gotten a lot of reading done so far. And that test isn't until next week. I glance at the clock. Effy won't be home for a while. Maybe if I hang out with Harry, she'll stop trying to hook me up with random guys.
"There's nothing wrong with taking a walk with a friend," Harry says after my long pause.
Friend is fine. Friend is safe. I like the word friend.
"Okay," I say. "Just as a friend."
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Fanfiction"Hold on a second," Harry says, suddenly coming to a halt. I stop with him and glance down. Somehow his hand has found its way into mine. "What? What's wrong?" I ask, shivering. "How disgustingly cliche would it be if we kissed in the rain right now...
