Nineteen

Chapter Sixty-Six

"Where exactly am I taking you?" I ask him as we drive though the gate of campus.

"You can just take me to your dorm building. I live in the same building as Clark, it isn't much of a walk."

I nod my head. "So, did you have fun?"

"It was a blast. I've never danced before," he says.

Neither have I. I went to prom, but I never danced except for a few slow songs. That club was nothing like prom.

"We should go back," I say, "one night soon."

He smiles and turns to face me. "Yeah, that sounds fun."

He reaches down and unbuttons the top few buttons on his shirt. "Next time, let's not dress so formal."

I laugh and agree with him. My shoes killed my feet. Once we pull into the parking lot, I take them off and decide barefoot is a better option.

I slowly walk across the pavement onto the sidewalk when Mac notices. "Do you want me to carry you?"

What is it with boys and thinking they have to carry girls?

"No, I'm fine." I'm actually not fine. My feet are tender and the sidewalk doesn't help them any.

"I can see you're in pain. I'll just carry you to your room, then be on my way." He gives me a slight grin and points to my dorm building about 30 yards away.

I let out a sigh and look at the distance. "Okay."

He places one arm below my legs and the other under my back. As soon as he lifts me from the ground my feet feel better.

"So, what happened to your arm?" He asks as we walk to the building.

It takes me a second to realize he's talking about my cast. "Oh, this?" I say as I wave it in the air, "I got attacked in an alley by some guy."

His eyes go wide, probably because I answered in such a casual fashion.

"Oh my god, are you serious?"

"Yeah. He would have beat the shit out of me if Collin didn't come."

I giggle at my use of the word 'shit', but Mac doesn't seem to notice. I use my cast to open the door when we come to it. 

"I can walk up the stairs if I'm getting too heavy for you," I say to change the subject.

He begins the stairs anyway. "I didn't know that happened to you. I'm sorry."

I wave him off. I really don't want to talk about it anymore, and we're close to my room.

I lean my head into his shoulder right as I hear the voice boom down the hallway.

"Aren't you two cute? Dressed in matching clothes!"

I raise up to see Collin standing from the floor where he was sitting in front of my door.

Great. "Go away, Collin," I say as we get closer.

"I came here to get you, then I find out that you're out with some asshole," he spits out as we get in front of him.

Mac does something he probably shouldn't have; that is, if he likes to avoid fights.

"She said to leave," he stands up taller. He's bigger than Collin, but I get the feeling he's not as mean.

Collin turns to him. "And who that hell are you?"

"That's not important. What's important is that she asked you to leave."

Collin laughs like he's joking. "Not fucking happening, but you may go now."

I step into my room and turn back to face the boys in the hallway. "Thank you for walking me to my room. I had a fun night." 

"I did, too. Are you sure you'll be alright?" 

We're speaking like Collin isn't breathing down both of our necks, waiting to make a move. 

"I'll be fine. Thank you," I reach out and wrap his neck in a hug.

After a few seconds, I'm slightly pulled away by an impatient Collin.

"Watch it," Mac says through his teeth. Collin replies by slamming the door in his face.