If Only She'd Loved Him

Chapter 28

Friday 9:10 pm

"Open up!" Jean pounded on the door to room 243 till her knuckles got bruised.  No one answered. It was Friday night.  Most people were out partying, which is why she'd assumed Sean would be home.

"Damn it!" Paul cursed. "Where is he?"

Jean shook her sore hand.  "Obviously, not here," she said.  Matt stepped between the two of them before Paul could respond as he desired.  Taking hold of Jean's shoulders, he led her out of Paul's direct line of fire. 

"What do we do now?" she asked him. 

"We could just wait here, I suppose.  He has to be back some time tonight," he replied. "Unless he's got a girlfriend?" he asked Jean.

She laughed out loud.  "Him?  No way.  I guess we'll wait.  He's probably at the snack machine, pigging out." Curling herself cross-legged, she began to tap her fingers on the beige carpeting.  Taking up her position at the door, Paul slammed his fist into its front, splintering the wood.  Curses flew as he shook his hand up and down.

Jean smiled at his pain. "Yeah. that's gonna do us a lot of good.  Violence fixes everything, doesn't it?"

Fists clenched, Paul turned towards her.  "Shut...the ...fuck...up!"  Each word was said with military precision.  Jean wasn't about to sit there and take it.  She rose to her feet, ready for a fight.  The door next to room 243 suddenly swung open. 

Leaning against the door frame, the girl gazed bleary eyed at them.  She frowned. "Look guys, I've got a test tomorrow.  Can you take it somewhere else, please?" 

Matt apologized in a second.  Jean and Paul were still too busy glaring at each other.

"We're sorry," he said.  "It's just real important that we find Sean.  He's got my notes for Chem," he explained with one of his special grins.  Matt had long ago mastered the art of appearing trustworthy.  Parents loved him.  He's a good one, they'd say with a knowing smile.  More than one girl had fallen prey to the teeth he now flashed.  This one was no exception.

She blushed. "Check the Lava Lounge then.  He's probably playing one of those weird games of his."  She eyed Matt up and down, liked what she saw.  "See ya later?" she asked, hopefully.  Matt gave her a wink, then turned back to Jean and Paul.  With a sigh, she shut her door and returned to her studying.

"Kerolyn appreciate that skill?" Jean asked Matt. 

Paul snorted.  "Kerolyn?  She dumped him two weeks ago."

Jean looked up in surprise.  "I thought you said you were dating her," but before Matt could respond, Paul intervened. 

"Keyword here is, were, Jeanie," Paul said.  "You of all people should know about past tense."

"Asshole," Jean muttered, but whether she was talking about Paul or Matt, neither of them could tell.  Stuffing her hands in her pockets, she headed for the steps, but when she got outside, she didn't go towards the Rec building, she turned towards the swings, wanting to be alone for a few minutes. 

Matt and Paul ran for the steps too.  They were puzzled as they watched Jean fast-walk in the wrong direction. Matt looked at Paul.  "Huh? What she'd get all mad about," he asked.

"Beats me.  The girl's nuts," Paul replied.

"I don't think so," said Matt thoughtfully. Reviewing the past conversation, he made up his mind.  "We'll catch up," he called to Paul as he ran after Jean. 

"Suit yourself," Paul replied, whistling, he headed towards the rec building.

Matt began to sprint.  Jean increased her pace.  She wanted to be far away from both of them.  She wanted to be alone.  For a few minutes, she forgot about Megan, and just felt sorry for herself.  Jerk, why didn't he just tell me the truth!  Why did he lie to me?  He didn't even want to kiss me when he had the chance.   I should have known then that he wasn't attracted to me.  But he could have just told the so from the beginning.  Then I wouldn't feel like such an idiot now! Of course, look who he's roommates with, that should have been a big fat clue!  I was dumb! dumb! dumb!  Just like I was with Brian.  I trusted him, and he was seeing Cheryl behind my back.  If I hadn't caught them at the movies, I might never have known.  He sure wasn't going to tell me.