07

« It’s whatever. » I yawned, trying to seem disinterested in his still struggling state. « Are you almost ready ? »

He slipped his foot the rest of the way into his shoe and nodded as he fluffed out his coat, making sure it sat where it was supposed to.

« Alright cool, so grocery store and then… That’s it right ? Did you need to go anywhere else ? » He shook his head no, and I just took that as the only response I was getting.

So I led us out the door, waved at Joyce and blew her a kiss and then took the little doe eyed Jamison out to my car.

« So, you and the lady at the front desk are friends ? »

« Yeah, » I chuckled. « Joyce and I go way back. She’s handled all my roommate changes and what not. »

« Oh, so she put us together ? » I nodded and waited until Jamie was situated before pulling out of the parking lot.

« Yep, she sure did. She thought you were adorable so she stuck you with me. » I glanced over and smiled as I watched his cheeks light up.

« You’ll have to thank her for me, for the cute thing that is. » He said as he looked out the window. His face was set in that contemplative look he had every time he was concentrating hard on something. Unlike most people, thank god, his was a little different. He didn’t look like he had to poop when he thought hard. No, in fact he almost looked like he was blissfully lost in his own thought. It was a cute look, but I digress.

When we got to the grocery store, I made sure I stocked up on canned foods. Raviolis and soups that didn’t take much work to make, nor did they need to be stored in the fridge. Then we moved on to the frozen food. I hated frozen meals, but I made sure to grab like pizza pockets and what not. I made sure to grab a few healthier items too that wouldn’t spoil within a few days, and I let Jamison pick out whatever he wanted as well. He was smart about the shopping as I was seeing as we only had a limited amount of space and a limited way to eat things, so he grabbed mainly boxed snacks and canned goods as well.

« Oh shit ! I almost forgot ! » I laughed. « Here, hold the cart. » I shouted as I ran off, leaving Jamie in a bewildered daze.

I smiled as I found my favorite isle. There were so many different kinds to pick from, but I settled with Blue Moon. I generally liked the flavored/spiced beers more than just the watery normal American beers. They were sweeter, and I honestly think if I got Jamison to try one, he’d like it.

« Oh yeah. » Jamie laughed as I walked back to him. « I forgot you wanted beer. »

« Mhm ! And guess who is going to join me tonight in cracking open the first two fall beers of the fall season ? »

It was hard not to laugh at the way Jamie’s face contorted. He didn’t look too excited, but really, he didn’t have much of a choice. He was at least going to try it because the worst thing that could happen is that he wouldn’t like it, and then I would have two beers instead of one tonight.

Which in hindsight wasn’t such a bad thing in my mind.

I never considered myself a party person. I don’t even like to dance, drink, or be around a big group of people. So I guess that pretty much labeled me as a loser. Especially to the people around here. I really didn’t think this school was known for partying and stuff like that, but the fact that it was a dorming school should have gave that away. These kids are away from their families and lives, of course they’re going to want to drink.

But I don’t think that’s the reason why. I think they just want to feel free and loose and things like that. Which I personally never understood, because I hate the feeling of losing control. I wouldn’t want to wake up one morning next to someone I didn’t know. That’s not the type of person I was. In fact, I was the exact opposite. Never had I ever slept with someone that I didn’t love ; that may have only been one person but still. I did love him, and I always would.

Some people think it’s weird to have sex with your best friend, but not me. I think it’s all about trust really. He was one of the only ones I trusted with my secrets, my ideas, and my body. He was the type of guy who would be there in a second if I ever called and needed something.

It’s neither of our faults that things didn’t work out between us ; we didn’t ever want to be together so there was no harm no foul there. Would it have been nice ? Yea. Would it have ruined everything ? Also yea. So that’s why we stopped sleeping together and just stayed friends.

It was hard at first, because I always wanted to be close to him. So we kept our distance for a while. And then once we started to be normal around each other I got accepted into college.

I guess everything happens for a reason, I was meant to go here to get over Russ. I probably never would have if I saw him everyday. He was just one of those people that were infectious to be around ; infectious in a good way. He smiled, I smiled. He laughed, I laughed. He bit his lip, and I pounced on him.

But those days are over. No more pouncing. No more kissing. No more touching. None of anything.

I missed it, sure.

And to be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve even been near anyone. Something told me that that would probably change soon, only because it’s been a few months and statistically for a guy my age, that’s already too long for no human contact. Other than family that is. I’m pretty sure I was hugged goodbye when they helped move me in.

« Jamie, we’re leaving soon. Aren’t you going to like, change ? »

I sighed at the misuse of my name yet again.

Then I looked down at the outfit I had on and became confused. Why did I need to change ? I put at least minimal thought into what I was wearing.

« What’s wrong with what I have on ? »

Keagan laughed at me and took a sip of his beer. He was a fan of pregaming. He was already tipsy and we hadn’t even left yet.

« You can’t wear anything nice to parties… everyone knows that. Except you obviously. You have to wear a shirt you don’t really care about and regular jeans, or shorts. But it’s too cold for shorts so I’d go with jeans, which you don’t have to change unless they’re expensive or something. Because you’re going to get beer spilled on you. Or other substances… I can’t say with certainty that you’ll come out clean. »

Oh.

Other substances ?

Like what ?

Spit ? Throw up ? Ew.

Being a germaphobe in this case was very debilitating.

I said nothing, I just started to take off my shirt because I did indeed care about it. It wasn’t a lot of money or anything but it was nice, and it looked nice on me so I didn’t want it to get ruined. Keagan was kind of still dressed pretty nice even though he told me not to. But from my observations it seemed like he didn’t own any clothes that weren’t good quality.

That’s much better, » he said as he finished his can and threw it out. « Let’s go, it’s already past 10. »

I didn’t think he’d care much about being ‘late’ to a party, but I was wrong. He knew a lot of people and they were expecting him so he didn’t want to show up when they were too drunk to notice his arrival.