Trust Issues

Geena

Chapter 3　

Geena

I crossed Dubois Universities central quad at lightning speed gripping my books in one arm and my precious Starbucks in the other hand. Rarely was I late.. for anything, least of all class. Unlike me, I'd lost track of time studying in the library. I up my pace and blow a wayward curl out of my eye silently cursing myself for not putting all this damn hair up. The humidity alone had my blonde ringlets floating around my head like big poufy clouds. If I'm late I won't be admitted to class. Professor Whitmore doesn't play. He felt tardiness was a reflection of characther and locked the classroom doors at 11 am sharp. I can't miss this class, I'd be forced to beg for notes during Whitmore's infamously narrow office hour times. I can-not miss this class. I'd gon through the Whitmore ringer before when I'd gotten appendicitis last year. He was my ethics professor and acted as if I'd committed an act of treason by missing the midterm, and with his no fault attendance policies, It'd been hell trying to convince him to let me take the exam, even with a medical excuse! " Life won't accept medical excuses and neither will your future employers.I am simply preparing you for the real world Ms. Thomas" he'd berated in his "Ben Stein" esque nasally voice. I'd been forced to take a totally different version of the exam all essay questions. Fortunately I have impeccable study habits and was more than prepared for the exam and still passed with flying colors. It was just my luck I got him again this semester for Philosophy. Regardless, this lecture was critical to the next exam and I was going to make it. I smile spotting Roberts Hall. My classroom was on the first floor, " I think I got this." I whisper to myself, I begin jogging lightly as I glance down at my watch confirming I've got about two minutes to get my booty into a seat. Suddenly a hard impact knocks the wind from my lungs and I'm lying on my back looking up at the sky, my books scattered all around me. Strange, when did they put a brick wall up in the middle of the quad I think, surprised my rattled brain still works. I sit up and look around slighlty disoriented, to my horror the wall has legs, in khaki cargo pants. I hold up a hand to block the sunlight so I can see and I meet the angry face of the brick wall covered in my mocha latte with a double shot of espresso. Momentarily I'm speechless. He's tall at least 6'2 with skin as warm and brown as my morning coffee. He had a head full of locs hanging freely down his back and covered with a Laker's ball cap pulled so low it was impossible to see his eyes. I could still tell he was pissed. His purple and white Polo shirt was ruined, the ugly coffee stain descended to his once crisp Khakis .Brick wall doesn't offer a hand to help me up. Mortified I scramble to stand up and brush my bottom off. I hate the heat I feel flushing my yellow face ,turning it beat red and there's nothing I can do about it. " I-- I'm s-so sorry", I stammer " I didn't even see-you."Brick wall continues to stare silently. " I hope you're not burned, I can pay your cleaning bill" I offered weakly, rambling to fill the uncomfortable silence " Naw." Brick wall finally speaks the deep timber of his voice seems to travel up and down my spine causing me to shiver involuntarily" Just watch where the fuck you're going " he snapped . I wither under his harsh words. " I'm sorry, I truly didn't see you." "Open your clumsy ass eyes next time" his voice drips with disdain making me feel like a naughty 2 year old. Brick wall hicked up his backpack and promptly walked off leaving me at the crime scene. So much for chivalry I thought as I began picking up my textbooks. What kind of jerk wouldn't at least help me pick up my books. " Fucking Bastard." I say aloud surprising myself. I never curse, I think it makes a girl sound uneducated and ghetto. Now all of a sudden I'm dropping F bombs. I shake my head. This has been one messed up day, starting when my alarm clock decided to malfunction, throwing my day way off. I thrive on order, schedule and routine. It's what makes me the honors student that I am. What keeps me in control of my chaotic life. Today apparently is not my day. There's no way Whitmore would let me into class this late so I decided to save my self the trouble, I sigh loudly antcicpating the inevitable groveling session I'd have to undergo to get my hands on the lecture notes. I couldn't return to the Library,getting lost in my work, had gotten me in this situation in the first place. I was meeting my best friend Rosa later anyway. Since we both had an hour break in our schedules, we 'd meet up in the cafe and hang out. It was our time to unwind before the next round of classes.

Once I reach the cafe I go about preparing myself a cup of coffee, It's not Starbucks but it will have to do. I select a seat and pull out my laptop, guess I'll finish studying. 45 minutes later I slam my laptop shut, I'd accomplished nothing. My thoughts kept drifting from Economics to Mr. Brick Wall from the quad.. Trust, I would have rather had that coffee running through my veins right now instead of down his shirt. My mind replays our unpleasant encounter over and over. He was so brash and insensitive acting as if I wanted to run into him. He clearly wasn't watching either, and anyway I'd done him a favor, the shirt was too small anyway, his muscular shoulders chest and arms strained the fabric to the limit. He definitely worked out regularly. Was he a dumb jock, they tended to be cocky? Maybe he was on steroids, it would explain his appalling behavior. I still don't understand his hostility. In a rare moment I wish I were more like Kai, she'd have read him his rights for talking to her like that. I bury both my hands into my thick ringlets pushing my hair back from my face and sigh loudly. " I have GOT to stop thinking about that guy." I groan to myself and place my forehead on the table. I close my eyes for a few moments trying to stall the headache I feel coming on.

" What Guy?" I hear directly in my ear startling me to death. I nearly jump from seat before I realize it's my bestie .Rosemary (never call her Rosemary or you will die) Velez. " Rooossssiieee." I sing grinning, genuinely happy to see her crazy butt. She walks around the table, click clacking on her impossibly high stilettos to give me a hug and slides into the seat across from me. " Mami I am so tired she sighs dropping her gigantic bag and slumping in her seat . I chuckle. "I bet you are, you had to walk across campus in those." I point to Rosa's 6 inch pumps. Rosa wave's her hand down at me " "Baby these aren't the problem she lifts her foot up examining the exquisite shoe, " It's all these damn books." As a Pre -Med student she seemed to carry an entire bookstore with her everywhere. " If you say so. Denial is not just a rive in Egypt" I tease. Rosa pursed her lips. Uh huh you're trying to change the subject we're not talking about me. She switches righ into Nosy Rosy mode" So dish, what guy shouldn't you be thinking about?" She says with her slight spanish accent. She gives me the one eyebrow raised look. " Anybody I know." she presses. I roll my eyes.

" Nobody, just some guy I literally bumped into in the quad. I accidentally spilled coffee on him and he gave me a hard time that's all," " He yelled at me and told me to watch where the eff I'm going, I just -people aren't usually rude to me like that. I mean, he didn't even help me up or pick my books up." Rosa wrinkled her nose. "Sounds like a dickhead, You should've cursed him out and kept it moving, don't let one random idiot get to you." " You're right, I've never even seen him around campus before so let's hope I don't run into him again.Pun intended." Rosa and I share a laugh at my corny joke. " Enough about that loser. I know something that will cheer you up. I eye my best friend suspiciously, she has that mischevious glint in her eye. " I don't think I wanna ask but what." Rosa's grin crosses into Cheshire cat territory. She slips a strand of Raven hair behind her ear, " So, you have to promise to hear me out, I nod. Tonight there's a Hookah Party at Primal and I thought"-- I groan-- she knows how I feel about nightclubs. "Hear me out Rosa interjected. "Wouldn't it be fun to get out. We haven't been out in forever. All you do is study Geena, you study more than me and Im trying to be a doctor." Knowing my best friend she will never shut up, so I may as well concede. I roll my eyes. Alright, I get it." Rosa's eyes twinkle with excitement. "Is that a yes" " It's a reluctant yes." I force the words from my uncooperative mouth. I .have to admit Rosa's right. I'd been studying non stop since the beginning of the semester and hadn't done anything fun in a while but, I really really hate nightclubs.'" I don't smoke." I say already trying to come up with an out. "Well tonight you do," Rosa stands and begins gathering her things. "I'll pick you up, and wear something sexy for once, Have Kai help you pick something out." I move my hand in a talking motion mimicking my friend's mouth. " Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. "Blah Blah". Rosa slaps at my hand playfully. " I mean it, and maybe straighten your hair, the curls are tragic right now." I run my hands through my hair, "It's going to take hours to straighten this,It's an all day project, remember high school graduation. The last time I had my hair straightened my hair was nearly 4 years ago and The trauma still haunts me, sitting still for all those hours fearing I'd be burned or my hair would catch on fire. I vowed to never do that again. I simply have too much hair. Rosa kisses me on the cheek. " Then I suggest you start early, love you bye" She turns on her heels and click clacks away, " Oh and Geena, if you try to weasel out of this I'll cut you." She calls over her shoulder and flashing a triumphant smile.