Freshman

Footprints

Jeremy's POV

You can kiss without emotion. Absolutely.

Of course.

Not really.

Okay.

Shirts. Check

Shorts. Check

Pajamas. Check

Socks and underwear. Check and check.

Ok all set. Ready for tomorrow. Canadian winter, here I come!

A knock on the door interrupts my mental checklist.

"Jeremy?" Dani appears in the doorway. I zip up my suitcase and set it on the floor.

"Yeah?" I answer. She walks in slowly, tears streaming down her face.

"Dani! What happened?! Are you okay?! I'm not that bad a kisser am I?!"

She laughs. "No..." she sniffs, then sighs. "Will dumped me."

"What?! Why?! What the hell?!"

Is it bad that I think this'd be an awesome opportunity? It's a hollow victory.

"I don't know! Everything was going so well!" she sobs, falling onto my bed. "He was finally being the sweet guy I know he is, and then he just does this!"

She's breathing in choked sobs. "I'm okay, I'm okay." She tries to convince herself. Instead of responding, I just pull her closer to me.

She sobs into my shirt, soaking it with her tears, but I could care less.

"He's going to find someone better." she says, just under a whisper, her voice full of despair.

I'm not sure how to respond to that. Is this what girls think in relationships? Are they really that insecure the whole time?

Pulling her closer, she buries her face in my shoulder, her fingers gripping my sweater.

"Isn't that adorable?" Penny's voice drawls in the doorway. Dani instantly pulls away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"You're hugging a girl Germ! I'm so proud of you!"

"Screw off Penny." I say. "Can't you see Dani's upset?"

"What's wrong?" Penny asks, suddenly switching from bitchy older sister to concerned friend.

"Oh, I just stubbed my toe. It really hurt." Dani lies, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"Oh, I just thought I should let you know Alysha and I are going to a party."

"A party?" I ask. "Who could you know here well enough to go to their party?"

"We might've made some connections." she smirks walking in further. She's in a tight black dress, her blonde hair is flowing down her back. Combined with the strappy stripper heels, she looks like she's about to go turn tricks on a street corner.

"How do I look Dani?" she asks.

"You look really good." Dani answers. "Where'd you get that dress?"

"Yeah, I'm curious about that too." I ask. "Did you buy it at Skanks-R-Us?!"

Dani rolls her eyes. "Don't be such a dink Jer, she's eighteen."

"Dani!" I protest. "Not helping! She looks like a prostitute!"

Dani gives me a look.

"Fine! She looks like an escort."