a run. I was feeling suffocated from the hours we spent in the house on Sunday and couldn’t turn down the beautiful weather awaiting me when I woke up. I opted for just a three-mile trip, as I had to be changed and in the lab by noon.
I didn’t feel like thinking of Jake, so I didn’t run down fraternity row. Instead, I took a campus route, winding through all the most beautiful landmarks that defined Winsor. The campus was eerily empty this morning, with all classes cancelled for the holidays.
Thoughts of Saturday night made me pick up my pace. The confusion was gone, and what was left was pure, unadulterated anger. Anger at myself for being so weak, anger at Jake for walking back into my life just when I was starting to pick up the pieces again. I couldn’t believe he had the gall to imply I judged the situation wrong. What was there to question? He was half naked with a girl in his apartment! I felt my pulse start to spike and my stomach was instantly bombarded with a million little butterflies. My pace quickened again as I turned the last corner to head for home.
The physical reaction my body had to Jake was infuriating, which just seemed to further exasperate the problem. I was almost in a full sprint when I passed the new medical school building. The façade was a beautiful, red-brick with ceramic, terracotta roof tiles. The landscaping wasn’t finished yet, so red construction fences still surrounded the large sections of dirt. It made me think of Parker and of his genuine mannerism. How he made me feel safe and guarded and most of all, cared for. A warm feeling ran though my body, and my mood immediately changed.
My pace slowed back down to a reasonable jog, and I could feel the tension start to evaporate off my shoulders. I was going to have a great day and was not going to give Jake one more thought.
The time in the lab went by pretty quickly, mostly because I kept thinking about Parker. After weeks of feeling hopeless and lost, I was starting to feel there might be a future. I could see my path in front of me again, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Parker had anything to with it. I dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come knowing it was absurd when I had just met him.
The buzzer dinged on the last sample, and I went through the testing steps again, thinking of how cumbersome this thesis must be for Dr. Davis’ student. I guess I’d be irritable all the time too if this were my life.
I logged out in the book and headed to the library, trying to psych myself into wanting to study for Thermo. I knew I couldn’t recover from my grade, but I figured the more I learned this semester, the better I’d be for next term.
I found my favorite table in the corner, got each of my books and papers set up exactly how I liked them and sat down. For some reason, though, I couldn’t concentrate. Maybe my brain needed a break. I did just spend the last four hours studying in the lab. I grabbed my backpack, leaving my books set up at the table. No one in his or her right mind would take that Thermo book.
I started walking around the library, not sure what I was looking for until I realized I had gone up to the third floor where all the medical references were located. I convinced myself that I was seeking out Sheila, eager to meet the woman Parker so admired, but deep down I knew I was hoping to run into him.
I looked around the room and saw him there, leaning over the counter talking with someone. He looked exactly the same: jeans, a black t-shirt and his typical smile that made the whole world seem right. My reaction to him was so different. I didn’t feel nervous or lose all control of my mind and body. Instead, I felt a comfort in his consistency and strangely self-assured.
He caught a glimpse of me and waved me over. He seemed genuinely glad to see me as he gave me a sideways hug when I walked up.
“What a wonderful surprise! Avery, this is Sheila,” he said proudly as if to validate everything he had told me about her. I smiled and shook her hand. She was a pretty