Before You

Chapter 14

          I run around my apartment looking for my car keys. I would love to stop at Moe's Coffee on my way to class, but if I can't find them soon there won't be any time for that. Ah hah! I find them under a stack of Photography magazines piled up on the kitchen counter. I get my keys and book bag and head out the door. I glance down at my watch before getting to my car. I still have a few minutes to spare.

          Once I leave Moe's Coffee I drive straight to school. I spot an empty parking space as I pull into the parking lot. Yes! This may be a good day after all. I'm walking to class with coffee in hand when I hear someone yell my name.

          "Evy!" the voice calls. I turn around to see who it is and see Jett running towards me.

          "Hey Jett" I reply casually.

          "Coffee, huh? Did you have a big weekend?" he says playfully.

          "You have no idea. My weekend was definitely eventful," I say plainly.

          Jett looks at me concerned. "Really? What happened?"

          "Well, lets see. I went out Friday night. Some jerk hit on me and then got really upset that I didn't give into him. Then I started my new job yesterday" I say.

          "Wait. You went out Friday night by yourself? You went into the city alone?" He says.

          "Yeah. I thought it was time to get out a little bit. I had some free time" I respond.

          "What were you thinking? There are all kinds of crazy people in Atlanta, especially at night. You could have gotten hurt" Jett's eyes go wide while looking at me.

          "What? I'm fine. I'm allowed to go out at night by myself. I do know how to take care of myself" I strike back at him.

          "Yeah, sure. I'm just trying to be a good friend and look out for you," he says calmly.

          "Well, then be a good friend. My friends don't tell me what to do, you should know that," I snap.

          "Well, maybe you need some new friends then. Friends that actually care if you're putting yourself in harms way or not" Jett snaps back.

          "Why do you get on my nerves so much!" I yell at him and walk faster.

          I try to walk as fast as I can to class. I don't want to see Jett right now. One minute he seems to be an okay guy and then the next minute I feel like I can barely tolerate him. At least he's smart enough to give me some space. He's walking behind me, but has made it a point not to get too close. I swing open the classroom door and find my table on the other side of the room. Dropping my book bag on the table, I sink down into my chair and take a big gulp of my coffee. I look over to my right and see Jett approaching the table.

          "I'm sorry, okay? Honestly, I'm just trying to help. You know, be a friend and all. I don't even know why I care so much" Jett shakes his head slowly.

          "Then be a friend. I don't need someone to take care of me. I know what I'm doing" I reply.

          "Fine. I'll back off" he says.

          We both focus our attention to the front of the class. Mr. Harrison is at his desk unloading his briefcase. He looks overly tired today. He's wearing a pair of khaki pants and his blue plaid button up shirt is halfway untucked. He looks rough to say the least.

          "Okay class. I'm going to start with attendance and then we'll begin with our presentations" Mr. Harrison says.

          He begins to go down the list. I look around the room and try not to look at Jett. I don't know what to say to him. I feel like I go from zero to one hundred whenever I'm around him. I don't know what to expect, and that makes me feel uneasy.

          "Jett Swanson?" Mr. Harrison says.

          "Here" says Jett.

Mr. Harrison calls my name next and I respond politely. Swanson? What kind of last name is that? It definitely doesn't seem like it fits him well. Jett gives me a brief glance then returns his focus back to the front. He seems a little uneasy himself. As if he knows what I'm thinking.

          Mr. Harrison calls out each partnered team table by table. When it's our turn, we go to the front and begin our presentation. Jett shows the class a photo of the lake. I can tell it's one where he was laying on his stomach and shooting through the high grass. Tall strands of green grass extend to the top of the print, but as you look through the grass you can see the ripples in the water behind it. It really is a great shot. He explains why he chose this image; basically giving everyone else the same explanation he gave me about water. When it's my turn, I show the class my photo of the wooden cabin from the outside. It's a close up photo and really emphasizes the rustic look of the cabin. I proceed to give everyone the same explanation that I had given Jett about abandoned places being beautiful. Jett and I make short comments about each other's work and earn a round of applause from the class.

          We both walk back to our table and sit down quietly. I try to focus on the rest of the presentations, but find it difficult. Jett is being very quiet. He's definitely not his usual pleasant self. I guess me snapping on him about being a good friend had an effect on him. Before I can come to any other conclusion, Mr. Harrison dismisses the class. Jett stands up throwing his book bag over his shoulder. He looks down at me, but seems very distant.

          "See you later Evy," he says quietly.

          He immediately turns and walks out of the classroom. I didn't even have time to think of a response. I sit at the table and look at the doorway in which he just left. What is wrong with him? Did I upset him that much? I glance down at the table before me and am hit with a realization. Maybe he's not the problem. Maybe I am.