"You know, I liked that university," I said. "It was pretty nice. It's big, too."
Amber shrugged. "I'm not even going to study in this state, so I don't really care. All I'm happy about is that the hotel's serving breakfast. I'm starving!"
I laughed. Tymon, Amber, and I then proceeded to walk to the dining hall. Several of our classmates were there, too, all ready to eat. Spring in New York was very beautiful. It wasn't hot but it wasn't cold, either. The first couple of days were absolutely great and it made me smile to think that we still had two weeks left in this state.
We mounted food on our plates and sat down at a table. Dallas came over and smiled at me. I smiled back and quickly kissed him, then averted my gaze towards my food. While Dallas, Amber, and Tymon lightly chattered, I munched on a cookie and scanned the hall. It was crowded, mostly with people from my class. Others were just strangers. I swallowed and looked at Dylan. He decided to ditch the jacket today. He was sitting by himself at a table, a book in his hands. Judged by the way he was looking at the novel, he looked pretty interested.
I picked up my sandwich and looked at him again. He didn't seem to be enjoying New York at all. I wondered if it were because his ex-girlfriend was in the same state. Dylan put down his book and took out his phone. A few seconds later, his blank face changed into something angrier. He frowned and I saw his fist clenching. I pursed my lips and wondered what had happened. Hastily, he got up from his seat and left the hall, the book long forgotten.
"Aubrey?"
I snapped my head back to the group. "Huh? What?"
I was too lost in my thoughts to realize that Abby had approached our table. She stood, her arms folded across her chest, her red hair flawlessly straightened. The bangs worked on her.
"Earth to Aubrey!" Amber yelled.
I yelped and dropped my sandwich. "Sorry!"
Dallas laughed and slung an arm over my shoulders. "The group wants to head back down to the park. Do you want to join?"
The first thing I thought was, Nah, I don't want to. But Dallas, Abby, Amber, and Tymon stared at me expectantly. It made me panic for some reason. I couldn't say no. I kept ditching this whole outing. They really did like playing football in the park. But I guessed I could sit near a tree and read a book.
"Um," I swallowed. "Okay. Okay, I'll join."
"Great," Dallas beamed. Abby went back to her own group of friends. After we finished eating and cleaned up, everybody was ready to go. Before I left the hall, I approached the table Dylan was sitting at and grabbed the book he abandoned. I put it in the pocket of my oversized jacket and hurried to catch up with the rest.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad going to the park.
Going to the park was absolutely terrible for me. I mean it was fun for the first couple of minutes but watching people throw around a ball got a little boring for me. Okay, it was really boring. I didn't really get to read much. I started on the first few pages of Dylan's book, which was terrific, but the screams of the little kids and the cheers of the boys and girls from my class kind of stopped me from going any further.
So I spent it sitting and watching the class play. I smiled and clapped, mostly for Dallas, but then I just got up and left.
Humming, I entered my hotel room and freshened up a bit. I brushed my hair and turned on the television. It distracted for a little while. I put my hands into the pockets of my jacket and that's when I remembered I still had Dylan's book. Grinning, I shut off the television and left for his room. I spotted some classmates I had never talked to lounging around.
When I reached my destination, I softly knocked on Dylan's door. But there was no answer, even after I continued to knock. Shrugging, I tried the door and it was unlocked. I entered, deciding that I could just leave the book there.
But that's when I smelt something. Booze. It smelt of booze.
"Dylan?" I called out.
And that's when I heard something. Groaning.
Eyes widening, I raced to the bathroom and hastily knocked. "Dylan? Are you in there? What is going on and why does your room already smell of alcohol?"
The door flung open, revealing a frowning Dylan. "What? What do you want?"
"You're drunk..."
"Glad to see you noticed," he slurred.
I frowned and sighed. "It's not even dinner time and you're drunk."
"I like to get creative," he flatly said. I couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought you were hurt. Why are you groaning? Do you feel sick?"
"Stop that," he snapped. "Stop...stop asking questions."
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, I'll help you get to bed."
"I can handle myself," he spat, frowning at me. "I'm not some kid and I don't need you to be around me. I can handle it."
Dylan took a step forward, more like staggered, but ended up stumbling. I quickly wrapped my arms around his torso to stop him from falling. He steadied himself but I didn't let go.
"Yeah," I calmly said. "I know you can handle yourself. I know that. But you're drunk, for goodness sake. You're really drunk. I don't want you to stumbling around and hurting yourself. You see, some people can choke on their vomit. Clearly, I don't want you to die."
Dylan's body relaxed and he sighed. I carefully turned us around and began to maneuver my way to the bed. However, I managed to get our legs tangled and we ended up stumbling forward, landing on the bed.
"Crap!" I squealed. "I didn't mean to—"
"Oh, shut up," Dylan mumbled.
I quickly got off of him and he managed to make himself comfortable on his own. I smiled. He rubbed his eyes.
"God, I'm really drunk."
I laughed. I noticed the several cans of beer scattered across the room. The room stunk. I pulled up the curtains and opened the window. The room needed some fresh air. I smiled again. It was kind of cloudy today yet beautiful nonetheless.
"Why did you get drunk?" I asked, sitting beside him. "You seemed upset this morning. What happened?"
He raked a hand through his hair. Dylan looked at me and gave out a bitter laugh. "That screw wanted to meet me. He wanted us to try to get along." Another bitter laugh. "What freaking trash. She was there, too."
I swallowed. Was he talking about Catherine and the guy she cheated on Dylan with?
I swallowed again. "Are you talking about...Catherine?"
Dylan's eyes widened a little. But he frowned again, his jaw slackening, his fists clenching. "No."
I pursed my lips and thought for a minute. Could he be talking about his dad? I didn't know who the woman was, though.
"Why are you so angry at your dad, Dylan?" I asked. He didn't reply, and I knew that I was right. Dylan did meet his dad. I bit my lip. "Well anyway, here's your book. You left it in the hall." I took it out and placed it on the night table.
Dylan nodded. "Thank you."
I smiled and before I could say anything else, Dylan closed his eyes and I knew that he was slowly falling asleep. I couldn't help but smile at his peaceful figure. He was full of anger but it seemed like when he was sleeping, he was at peace.
I got up and draped a blanket over him. The weather was chilly today and I guessed that the open window might unpleasantly affect him.
Then, I quietly left the room.
"Stop stealing my food!" Amber screamed at Tymon. Tymon retaliated and pouted, sinking deeper into his seat. I laughed and continued to chew on my dinner.
(The hotel served great food.)
Dallas was sitting with Abby and the usual group of friends. I didn't mind. But when Dallas and Abby were together, I noticed they would be very serious. It was laughter and cheer with their friends but when they were talking, it made me uncomfortable. They would have these serious faces on, whispering to one another, eyes darting around, as if to check if someone was watching or listening, and their hands would be wildly making gestures.
Did I have the right to feel uncomfortable? It didn't make me feel good. I'd be nervous. Just like I was now as Dallas and Abby whispered to one another. I wasn't even remotely jealous. I was nervous. But I berated myself. I was being paranoid – a complete idiot. I had nothing to worry about.
I returned my plate to the dirty pile and left the hall. I needed some fresh air. Placing my hands into my pockets, I walked into the lobby. The elevator let out the usual sound – a ding – and out came Dylan.
I frowned at him. "Aren't you supposed to be drunk?"
"I've sobered up."
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Alright, fine, I'm still unsteady," he snapped.
I laughed. "That's more like it. Where are you heading?"
"Walking."
"Can I join?"
He shrugged. "Whatever."
I grinned and we left the hotel. We walked around for a while. It was night now and yet the city was wide awake. It was really beautiful. Dylan and I silently walked side by side. We eventually stopped near a railing that stretched far. He gripped the railing and I leaned against it.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
He stayed silent. It was a matter of minutes before he decided to say something.
"He cheated on my mother," he softly spoke. My heart immediately warmed; at the fact that he was opening up to me – at the fact that this was first time he ever spoke so softly.
I looked at him.
He licked his lips. "He was always...coming home late. He was always making up excuses when Mom called him. "I had to stay in for work," or "Some guys and I are going out for drinks." Bull." He frowned and gripped the railing tightly. He let go and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't even know if he thought he could get away with it. I think he did. David followed him one day and turns out, he was with a woman from work." He bitterly laughed. "They're married now. How does that screw think I could try to get along with him?"
"Is that why you were drunk?" I asked.
Dylan ran a hand through his hair again.
I sighed and looked down. "I'm so sorry."
"You need to stop apologizing," Dylan said but so calmly.
"I...I don't know what else to say," I said, looking at him. He looked at me, too. "You don't deserve any of this – all this pain. I'm sorry. I know that that can't change anything but I'm so sorry."
Dylan had every right to be angry. His father cheated on his mother and his girlfriend cheated on him. I don't know what else happened to him. My heart clenched and I did something I didn't think I'd do.
I reached up and hugged him, wrapping my arms around his torso. His body went still but I didn't care. I felt his body relax moments later, his hands tentatively touching my back.
"You need to stop doing that."
"Stop doing what?" I asked.
"All of this," he spoke. "Always asking me if I'm okay. Always around me doing things like this."
"Why?"
He didn't say anything. I pulled away and we watched the view from across the railing silently. I couldn't help but grin, though. I looked at him, the smile never leaving my face.
Dylan had already opened up to me twice. It meant that he...that he could trust me – that he trusted me. That made me very happy – really really happy.
"Can you stop smiling at me like that? You're being creepy like that."
I smacked him and we continued to watch the view.
The smile never left my lips.
