Dorm for Two

Chapter 7

When Bryce got home from class, he realized he liked Bria. He wanted to tell her. Bryce was sitting on the sofa in the living room when Bria got back to the dorm. When Bria got back to the dorm, Bryce realized she wasn't alone. She was with Roger. Bria and Roger came in talking about, from what Bryce could hear, types of cars. Bryce pulled Roger aside and asked, "Why are you here?"

Roger was confused by the question, but replied, "She's my girlfriend."

"You said you would break up with her."

"I like her."

"Since when?"

"Since you told me the reasons that make her special."

"MY reasons. Those were MY reasons that came from my heart. They are what make her special to ME."

"You said you didn't dig her."

"First, who says 'dig her'? Second, I never said that!"

"First, I say 'dig her'. I like old phrases. Second, why do you suddenly care if I date her?"

"I know what you do with girls."

"What do you mean?"

"You date them for a while, then you dump them for some stupid reason that makes no sense."

"Because they mean something to the world. I'm not going to waste their life of freedom and love on being in a relationship with me. It's not fair. No only to me,because I know how miserable they are, but to them also."

"That's what you say to them!"

"It won't be like that with Bria."

"I don't want to see her hurt and upset because you dumped her."

"Relax. Our relationship isn't even strong enough for her to be upset over a break up."

"If that's your reason, then break up with her before it's too late."

"I like her," Roger said before walking out.

Bryce stayed in his room a little longer after Roger walked out, thinking about their conversation. Bryce believed Roger like Bria. He didn't believe he would like her for long.

After that conversation, all Bryce could do was hope Bria was strong enough to face what's coming. He knew she was mentally prepared because that's the part of her he knows just from being around her, but he didn't know about emotionally. He hasn't spent any time with that part of her, but he was going to familiarize himself with it.

Bria knew something wasn't right when Bryce kept asking her questions about her relationship with Roger for rest of the night. The night was long. Bria couldn't sleep so she went into the living room. Bryce was there too. That was when Bria realized that Bryce wasn't in the bed when she left. She asked, "What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep. You?" Bryce replied.

"Same."

"Come lay with me."

"No. I'm dating your best friend."

"It's not cheating unless we kiss. I'm loyal to Roger. I wouldn't hit on his girlfriend. Now, if you come after me, I have no control over that."

Bria laughed. Bryce walked to Bria bedroom door and motioned for her to come. "Fine," Bria says.

When they laid down, they faced each other. Forehead to forehead. "You're such a nice girl. Roger's lucky," Bryce says.

"I'm lucky, too," Bria says.

"He's got you."

"I've got him."

There was a silence until Bryce says, "Remember those jerks in the world that we talked about before?"

"Yeah."

"Is Roger one?"

"No. He's a girl's dream boyfriend. He's the pitcher at a baseball game. All the balls he throws are girls that have once connected with him, but gets thrown out of his life anyway."

"What's my sporty description?"

Bria laughs before saying, "You're a basketball hoop. The balls that go through you are the girls who you don't want to connect with because you know they're not the one. It's like you're letting them go."

"Interesting," Bryce says with a smile and continues, " Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Bria says as Bryce turns over. Bria gets closer and kisses Bryce on the cheek. She lays her head on his shoulder and falls asleep. Bryce just lays there, thinking about what had happened. He knew he wasn't keeping his distance from Bria. He thought until he fell into a deep sleep.