"Hey buddy," I say walking up to Liam. He's sitting at a table with the same blonde girl from the day before. Laura? Laraine?
"Raudenfeld, It's about time you got your ass here." He responds, patting the chair next to him. I give a nod to the blonde before taking my seat. "You remember Lauren, don't you?" Lauren! Close enough.
"I do, it's nice to see you again." Getting a better look at this girl, she really is quite beautiful. Her eyes are a perfect mix between blue and grey, with a small glint to them. Usually when she's looking at Liam. It doesn't surprise me that Liam hasn't caught on to the subtle touches, and flirting. He's a bit absent when it comes to things like that. If you're not in his sights from the get-go, good luck catching it.
"Hi again. So how did that chemistry assignment go with Reagan?" she asked, a bit of playfulness, and knowing to her tone. Doesn't surprise me Reagan told her. If what Karma, said is true than I'm sure she is always on the prowl. Liam and I talk about our latest conquest all the time. Except this time, Liam's giving me a very leery face. I forgot to mention to Reagan to Liam.
"Chemistry assignment huh? Didn't picture Reagan much of a lab geek. No offense, Lauren" Liam cracked. He can be bit of a tool sometimes.
"Yeah, it was umm. A very mind-blowing and breathtaking experience." I taunt lively, "The assignment that is." Liam gets a kick out of it. Lauren however pulls a very bothered face. She comes off a bit too uppity for me.
"Soo.. Thank you again for turning Shane my direction. I'm am so stoked!" I turn to Liam, quickly changing the subject. He returns an ecstatic smile.
"Have you planned out a lineup yet?"
"I haven't yet, I completely spaced," I start, but Lauren decides to butt in, "Lineup? Shane's direction? Are you two gay boy searching for Harvey?"
Liam and I give each other a glance before busting up uncontrollably. Leaving Lauren, dazed and confused. "Shane Harvey doesn't need any help in that department. No, I talked him into asking Amy to DJ Friday at the party." She just makes a 'oh' sigh of relief.
"Well, since I've been reminded I should probably go make that list. Don't want to flop my first party of the semester." I say standing to leave, before giving Liam a quick hug. "Lauren, it was good seeing you again. You two have fun." And with that I was gone.
Heading out the food court entrance, I just about plow into Karma again. "You have got to start watching where you are going." She laughs, God she looks amazing. She's wearing a very fitting summer dress, with a pair of brown Justin cowboy boots. "Earth to Amy?" she snaps, waving her hand in my face.
"Karma, Hi." Is all I manage. Earning a beautiful smile though. Game Amy. Where is your game? "You look very stunning, Karma." I say, slowly scanning her up and down.
"Is that seriously all you have? Oh dear." I give her a confused look. What did I say? Or not say?
"I'm at a loss for how you ended up with Reagan. She has higher standards than that." She quickly quips.
"Ouch Karms." I reply holding my chest in pain. "Ever think that just maybe my personality is enough?" I tease.
"Oh, please Amy. If you want any sympathy from me, you're going to have to do better than that." She says lackluster.
Feeling the nerve to test the waters a bit, I take a step into her space. Catching her by surprise, I swear I hear her voice hitch. "You look absolutely ravishing today, Ashcroft." I breath into her ear. I think I've made my point, as she teeters into me, catching herself at the last minute. Neither of us retreat, she just refocuses herself in front of me. I become overwhelmed with her floral essence, as she draws in a shallow breath. We don't move for what feels like an eternity, tantalizing each other, neither making the first move. Finally finding the confidence, I slowly begin closing the space between us.
Just then, the doors behind swing open. Reeling us back into reality, pulling back just in time as I hear Liam's voice cut through the thick tension between Karma and I. "Whoa, sorry Ames. Didn't realize you were still here, let alone in front of this door." He takes a few glances between Karma and I, questioning. "Amy, I see you've met Karma? Karma, this is my best friend Amy. I was hoping you guys would get to meet. Though I pictured it a bit different," sensing the tension now he takes in a deep breath, "Is umm, is everything alright here? You both seem flustered, Amy did you use your stupid pickup line?" he finishes, relieving some of the tension, as we all exert a meaningful laugh, which only died for me as a wave of guilt rushed over me.
"I wasn't given the chance yet. Karma, it's nice to meet you. Liam has said a lot of great things about you. It's nice to put a face to his description, though I have to admit Liam, they didn't quite do her justice. Listen, I've got to get going though. Catch you Friday Liam?" I ask, slowly making my escape. The expression on Karmas face is one of hurt and confusion. I couldn't bare seeing it anymore, so I just turned around and quickly walked off. Leaving them both confused. What are you doing Amy?
I need a drink I think. So I make my way to the nearest pub. I'm instantly hit with the smell of smoke, and vomit as I enter the place, but I don't seem to care. All I can think about is ridding Karma's expression from my thoughts. I'm such an asshole. Asshole friend and just overall asshole. "Rough day?" a voice chimes, bringing me back. "That'd be the easier answer, but unfortunately this is more of a rough situation," I stop realizing this person probably doesn't care to hear. "That can be taken care of with a double crown and coke please." She nods as she goes to pour my drink.
Waiting for my drink, I feel my phone buzz. It's Karma. What the hell was that? Why did you just leave like that? Breathing out a huge sigh, I toss my phone down on the counter. There is no way, I'm replying right now.
"Here we are," she says placing the drink in front of me. "this one is on the house. Would you like to talk about it? I may not look it, but I 'm actually a very good listener. Kind of comes with the job." She says genuinely.
"Where do I even start?" I release, taking a big sip of my glass.
"How about with the reason for throwing you phone down on my counter." She states openly. I nod, taking another big sip.
"Well, I just transferred schools, and my first day here I run into probably one of the most breath taking, girls on campus. Literally run into by the way. Anyway, I instantly feel this connection, and spark with her. Nothing I've ever felt in my life, too good to be true almost," I stop to think for a moment, "but that's just it. It's too good to be true, because she happens to be the same girl my best friend is interested in as well. Like head over hills for, and I can't do that to him. I've never seen him this happy, I can't take that away." I finish, staring down at my now empty glass.
"Well, what about your happiness? Or maybe even hers? Do you even know if she likes him that way?" the bartender asks, placing another double in front of me. I shake my head no in response to her question. "Well, you might want to ask her." She states, as she nods towards the door.
Turning my head to the entrance, there she is, Karma. Still swearing that same facial expression. I hold my stare as she makes her way towards me. Standing only a foot away now, she grabs my drink and downs it in one swig. Damn…
Setting the glass on the counter, she meets my gaze again. Nothing. We just exist in that moment, no one saying a word. I can only imagine what she's brewing inside. "Karma, I.." I begin, breaking the silence, as she presses her finger against my lips. "Don't," she simply states. "You don't get to apologize. Not after the stunt you just pulled. You don't get to make a fool of me, and then just disappear like that Amy." She bites harsh. I shiver at her tone.
"You're right, you didn't deserve that, and I am so sorry. I'm just a fuck up, and you don't need to be around me Karma. I'll just bring you down, and hurt you." That hit deep, "Karma. Liam's a really good guy, and I can definitely tell he's different around you. You deserve something like that."
"I don't want him, Amy. I want you, I've wanted you since the first day we met. You can't just decide that I should be with him, it doesn't work like that Amy!" She's fighting back tears now, and I'm instantly hit with an awful feeling of regret.
Taking my hand in hers, she moves it over her heart. "That's all for you, Amy." She says softly, as I feel myself soften at her words. I still can't shake the thought of hurting my best friend though, so I gently pull my hand back. "I can't Karma. I can't do that to Liam." I blurt out, staring at the counter. A few moments go by, and I feel a cool breeze against my skin, along with hearing the front door opening, and closing.
"Karms," I whisper under my breath, just on the verge of tears. Why can't this be fucking easy?!
"She's right you know." The bartender chimes in, "It's her decision who she wants to be with. Not yours, not your best friend."
"I know, but I can't hurt Liam."
"You need to look out for yourself too, this Liam guy, if he's truly your best friend. He'll understand. You're happiness should be just as important to him, as his is to you." Those words hit me hard. She's right.
"Thank you." I say, as I stand to leave. Throwing a couple twenties down.
I don't possibly know where she could be, she's not answering her phone. No surprise there. Reagan, she'll know where I can find her, I think as I run off towards her room.
As soon as I reach the door, I start pounding relentlessly. "Come on, Reagan open up."
Swinging the door open I am met by a very naked, and very angry girl. "Whoa, sorry. Is uh, Is Reagan here?" I ask, looking anywhere but her. "She's in the shower," She sneers.
"Great," I say as I push through heading towards the bathroom. Making my way in without any announcement. "Hi Reagan, sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you knew where Karma was? Or could be?" I speak, as she stares at me wide eyed. "What? This isn't anything I haven't seen before."
"Reagan, do I need to call security?" the annoying brunette asks.
"No, it's fine. Karma might be on the roof top of the Music, Arts, and Performance Hall. What did you do?" she finishes, I just wave her goodbye as I rush out of the door.
Out of breath, I finally reach the building. How in the hell am I supposed to get up there? I think, walking around looking for anything that would lead onto the roof. The front doors are locked, so she couldn't have gone in that way.
Just as I am about to give up, I hear a voice call out from behind me. "Reagan told you I'd be here, didn't she?" Turning to face Karma, my breath hitches. She has been crying, and I am the reason why.
"Karma," I say softly, inching my way towards her. Searching her eyes for any sign of running. They just look broken, and fragile.
"Karma, I'm so stupid. I am so stupid! I shouldn't have pushed you away, I shouldn't have made it seem like you didn't have a choice, because you do. I was just so set on my and Liam's friendship, that I didn't see what was truly right in front of me. Ever since that first day we met, I haven't been able to get you off my mind. You stole my heart the moment our eyes met, and when I found out that Liam was just as infatuated with you as I was, I tried to back off, but you kept showing up. Everywhere. No matter what I did, or where I went something always reminded me of you. And Karma, I am so dumb for letting that slip away. And I am so sorry for hurting you." I finish, just inches from her. I want so badly to just hold her, but I'm afraid she'll break even more if I do. So we just stand there. Staring.
"Karma, please say something," I speak just above a whisper. Before I realize what's happening, she has her lips pressed against mine, and god do they feel amazing. I've been wanting this for so long, to taste her. Deeping the kiss, I wrap my arms around her waist pulling her as close to me as humanly possible. Not wanting to ever let her go.
She's walking us backwards, as my back is pressed against the building. The sexual tension, that has been building between us, is now threating to surface. Running my tongue against the bottom of her lip, she releases a soft gasp, before fighting for dominance against my mouth. My head is spinning with all these jolts of electricity running through my body.
"I need you, now" she demands in a low voice, as we break for air. I hum in agreement against her neck, planting hard kisses to her pulse point.
"My room isn't far," I manage to get out in between kisses. She just nods her head frantically.
Turning down the hall to my room, I spin her around, and push her up against the wall, taking in her beauty, as she stares at me with such desire, and awe. "Why me?" I ask, I know this probably isn't the best time, and possibly a mood killer, but I needed to know. I needed reassurance for what I was doing.
"Because the day I met you, I was having the worst day possible. I had just found out my Gam Gam passed away, and I was on the verge of failing one of my classes, I wanted nothing more than to just break down. But when you ran into me, and made that stupid face and remark. I just felt a million times better, like every feeling I had previously seemed to vanish. And when you stared at me, I saw something, and I just knew you had to be feeling what I was feeling." I can't help but get lost in her words, and those eyes, the way she speaks is so beautiful, and soft.
Our silence is interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Looking the direction, it came, my heart sinks. "Liam," I breathe.
