The List

Chapter Seven

Saturday morning I wake up to my ears ringing and black smeared across my white pillow case. I roll onto my back and sigh, happily. Last night really happened. Rhett took me to see a band I've been dying to see for over ten years, and it was the best night I've had in my life. Once we made it back into Lubbock, we stopped at a Whataburger for breakfast. By the time I got into my bed, it was almost five. I get out of bed and slip on the Guns N' Roses farewell tour t-shirt I bought at the stadium last night. This shirt will keep the memory alive in my mind. There's a knock at the door, so I put on a pair of shorts and go to open it. I'm surprised when I see Grace's face.

"Hey." She says, pushing her way in. "How was homework last night?"

"Fine." I answer, shutting the door behind her. "What's up?"

She turns around, crosses her arms, and stares at me. "I came by last night, and you weren't here."

I can feel the heat on my face rising.

"The shirt you're wearing, and the make up smeared everywhere shows you went and did something you weren't supposed to last night." She sighs and sits on my bed. "I'm not trying to get in your business, I'm really not, you just need to be thinking about Liam."

"What about Liam?" I ask, irritation growing.

"Your mom called him last Saturday and asked how your first week was going." She says. "He told her about the party and she flipped out on him, saying he needs to be doing a better job of taking care of you."

"That's why he came here." I say, putting the pieces together. "And that's why he went off on Rhett."

She nods her head. "Now tell me the truth, were you with Rhett last night?"

Part of me wants to cuss her out, for barging in here and acting like she's my mom, but to avoid any drama I just sigh and nod my head.

"I don't want Liam to know, though." I tell her. "I mean it."

"Cari." She sighs. "This isn't something I can keep from him. He doesn't want anything to happen between the two of you, because he knows Rhett will just break your heart."

I roll my eyes. "There's no feelings between me and Rhett; I promise."

"Just tell me what you two are doing and maybe I won't tell him."

"I can't tell you, Grace." I plead with her. "Just trust me on this."

She runs her hands through her hair, bringing it over her shoulder. "If it looks like either of you are starting to feel something more, I am going to put a stop to it. I'm not trying to be your mom, but I'd like to think I can be a sort of sister for you. I don't want Rhett to hurt you."

"What makes you think it wont be me hurting him?" I fight back.

Grace laughs. "Just be safe, babe."

"I will." I say, hugging her. "Thanks for being the sister I never had."

She leaves and I am left alone to start on my homework for next week. My creative writing prompt is the first thing I start on. We have to write about our best memory. I smile as I think of last night. I start it off with the same story I told Rhett; dancing around the study with my dad. I talk about all of the times we would dance and mom would come in screaming at us for giving her a migraine. Then it all leads up to last night, what was the greatest night I've ever had.

By seven I've finished the entire thing, and I go out to grab dinner at some Chinese restaurant close to campus. I'm done with my meal, and waiting for the check, when someone slides into the booth across from me.