One True Love

Chapter 7

Sitting in my A&P class the next morning, I kept drifting in and out. Sleep had been no where to be found the night before and there was even a time or two I woke up looking for Scotty beside me. It had only been one night and I already missed him so much.

As I watched the clock on the wall, I had barely been listening to my professor so it shocked me when it was time for class to end and he handed us our mid term review. Yes, it was that time, it was halfway through the semester. Had I really made it through my first half of college as a freshman? It had flown by, but as I looked at this review in my hands, I couldn't wait for it all to be over undoubtedly unaware at that moment of how much I would miss this time in my life.

Walking out of class, I placed the review in my bag and made my way across campus to my College Algebra class. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I had four messages from Scotty. Smiling, I entered my pass code and watched them pop up on the screen...."Just wanted to tell you I love you."........"I'm thinking about you."..... "Mondays aren't so bad when I get to see and talk to you."......"Can't wait to see you tonight." Sending him a quick text, I replied, "Walking to College Algebra, I love you too, see you tonight." Slipping my phone back in my pocket, I wondered if he smiled as well when he got a text message from me. Yes, I had tests to study for tonight, but there was no way that I was going to tell him not to come over.

Walking into my class, I found a seat in the back and tried to pay attention as the professor went on and on about equations, exponents, and the Pythagorean theorem. Math had never been a favorite subject of mine, and I often wondered when we would ever use this stuff in real life. When making my schedule this summer, I knew there was no way I could handle this class first thing in the morning and I was sitting here at 10:30 in the morning, I knew that I had made the right decision. As I knew would happen, the professor handed us our review sheets as we walked out the door. Thankfully, I only had one more class, Biology I.

***

After my last class, I made my way to my car and threw my book bag in the back seat, wanting nothing more to go home and just relax. As soon as I thought it, I knew it wouldn't be possible. Mid terms were in two weeks and if I wanted to spend any time with Scotty tonight, I would have to hit the books as soon as I got home.

Walking into the apartment, I threw my keys on the table and made my way into the living room. Ashley wasn't home and I wondered where she was, we hadn't talked much since I had made it back home and I wondered if something was wrong. Knowing I didn't have time to worry about that right now, I pulled my A&P binder out of my bag with two highlighters.

***

Hours must have passed because I didn't realize how long I had been at it until I heard my phone ringing on the kitchen table. Getting up from the couch, I saw that it was Scotty. Oh no, how could I have forgotten to call him when I made it home? Was I that stressed?

Staring at the phone for just a few more seconds, I answered, "Hey babe, what's up?"

His deep voice boomed in the phone, "Gabs? Are you okay? You didn't call me when you made it home."

I sighed, "Yes, I'm fine. I just got three review sheets for midterms today, I guess my mind was on that."

There was a pause on the phone, for only a minute, "I see, well do I not need to come over tonight? Do you need to study?," he asked.

Laughing, I said, "No, no you're coming over. Besides, I need a break from the books."

Again, he paused, "Well okay, if you're sure. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Smiling, I said, "See you then."

Hanging up the phone, I decided not to go back to my books, but instead walk to the bathroom and freshen up before he got there. Looking in the mirror, I saw that I had dark circles forming under my eyes and my hair was tousled. Admitting to myself that I needed sleep, I decided that tonight would have to be an early night. Putting some concealer under my eyes and moving my brush through my hair, I walked back into the living room. Just as he had promised, ten minutes had passed and I heard my doorbell ring. Smiling, I wondered why he didn't just come in, he had a key. Still, I got up from the couch and made my way to the door.

Opening it, I saw him standing in the doorway. He was wearing a black button up shirt, dark wash jeans, and his hair had that tousled effect that looked like it had been blown in the wind. Obviously, he had gotten more rest than I had the night before, and I didn't realize that I had been staring at him until he spoke and brought me out of my thoughts

"Gabi, are you going to invite me in?," he asked.

Still staring at him, he had the first three buttons of his shirt undone exposing just a sliver of his toned chest. He had his left arm propped against the door, his muscles flexing as he stood there. Directing my attention to his crystal blue eyes, I managed to speak..."I'm sorry Scotty, come on in," I said, moving away from the door.

He laughed and made his way in, moving towards the couch and plopping down. Throwing his arms behind his head, he propped up on the pillow, and looked in my direction. Still, I was standing there unable to move. How could he make normal clothes look so good? Had I really missed him that much?

"Are you going to join me?," he asked, after a few minutes

I laughed and made my way towards him, "What do you want to do? Watch T.V. or something?," I asked, as I sat up straight on the couch, pulling my legs underneath me. Not wanting to get to close to him, not wanting to know what would happen if I did.

He smiled, "Well, no I was hoping that we could just talk."

Tensing up, I asked, "Uh oh, what's wrong?"

Laughing, he smiled again and pulled me close to him. Not wanting this, I also didn't resist as his distinct smell flooded my nasal cavity and I took a deep sigh. Finally, he asked, "Why do you always think something is wrong?"

With my eyes closed, I could feel myself drifting to sleep, knowing I had to resist the urge. Propping myself on my elbow beside him, I looked in his eyes..."Because when someone says they need to talk, it usually is."

He smiled and whispered against my lips, "Well, not this time."

I laughed, "Okay, what is it McCreery?"

He sighed, not making me feel any better, and then he spoke...."Well, you know I Love You This Big has been out now for a few months right?," he asked

Nodding my head yes, I wondered where this was going.

Squeezing my shoulder, he continued, "Well, management is wanting me to release my next single and I'm thinking we are leaning towards The Trouble With Girls," he paused, "I was wondering if you might would like to be in the video. I'm thinking we are going to go back to Garner High and shoot it there."

Staring at him for only a moment, I could see that he was serious in asking me this, but still I wanted to tease him...."Uh huh, so you think I'm trouble do you?," I asked.

He smiled, "The absolute worst."

Sitting up, I crossed my arms, and glared at him, "Well McCreery, I'm not so sure about this if you're gonna talk to me like that."

Laughing, he uncrossed my arms and looped them around his neck, pulling me close. Whispering, he said, "Can I let you in on a little secret?"

In a semi frustrated tone, I said, "Sure"

He smiled and whispered again, his hands cupping the sides of my waist, "Nobody loves trouble as much as me."

Smiling, I looked at him, "Did you come up with that all by yourself?"

Looking hurt, he said, "No, it's a line in the song. Have you not listened to my CD?"

Feeling guilty, I thought I would recover myself, "Why listen to the CD when I can hear the original sing it anytime I want?"

He laughed, "Oh really?"

Smiling, I said, "Mmm hmm," laying my head on his shoulder..."Why don't you sing it to me right now?"

Squeezing my shoulder, he began in that low, deep voice of his...."The trouble with girls is they're a mystery, something about em puzzles me. Spent my whole life trying to figure out just what them girls are all about."

Smiling, I closed my eyes and found myself drifting to sleep. As I laid there, I thought that I could get use to this, him singing me to sleep every night. Deciding that we would have to discuss this, I felt myself completely relax in his arms as he ran his fingers through my hair and kept singing in almost a whisper.