Nineteen

Chapter Thirty-Two

All I can manage to eat from the bag is a chicken biscuit. Collin manages to eat half of what he brought by himself.

I glance at a clock by my bed and see that it's only 10 o'clock. My body is wore out and all I want to do is sleep.

"I need a new phone," I say.

"Well, lets go and get you one today," he replies.

"I can't afford it. And I can't tell my mom what happened. She'll make me come home," I say while looking at my cast covered hand.

He doesn't say anything. He just twists his fingers around and around.

Today is Sunday and I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my cast, which means I have to miss one of my classes.

"I have to go to work in a few hours," he finally says.

"Okay, that's fine."

"Do you want me to come back here after? I'll be done at 7." He mumbles.

"No. That's okay." I smile.

"I can. If you, you know, can't sleep." He is quiet.

"I'll see if I can go somewhere tonight. I don't want to be alone, but it also isn't your responsibility."

"We'll see," is all he says.

My body is terribly sore, but I don't want to sit in my room all day. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

He gives me a weird look. "Why?"

"I want to go somewhere."

"No." 

"What? Fine I was just asking if--"

"Let's go for a drive," he interrupts me and he's smiling.

"A drive?"

"Yeah, did they not do that in North Carolina?" He smiles, teasing me.

"No, I don't think anyone does that," I laugh.

"Well, you haven't met me," he stands and reaches his hand out.

I take it and we walk out of the dorm.

We walk down the stairs as I ask, "so, where are we going on the drive?"

He throws his hands into the hair, "anywhere you want. Where have you wanted to go to?"

"Honestly?" I say. He shakes his head.

"The beach. I've never been and I think it is so beautiful."

I always wanted to go, but my mom and dad can't swim and that doesn't make for a good combination. 

"The beach? Alright." He says.

"Really?" 

"Yeah, it's not that far." He reaches into his pocket and digs for his keys.

"Wait, don't you have to work?"

His eyes get wide, "Damn it. I forgot."

He stops walking, "I got so excited I forgot about work, shit."

I laugh, "it's okay."

"I'm going to walk you back to your room and then go to work," he says.

"That's okay, I'm going to go to Clark's room."

"I'll take you," he says, starting to walk in the direction.

I'm confused on the sudden attachment to Collin, but I'm not complaining. When he's in a good mood, he's not bad company.

We walk through campus and up to Clark's room.

I knock a couple of times with my good hand.

Bailey opens the door, "oh my god, what happened?" He takes in my appearance.

"Is Clark here?" Collin answers for me.

"Yeah, in his room." He's still staring at me.

I walk past him right as I hear Collin tell him that he'll be back at 7:30 to get me.