Teddy groaned as she scrolled through the list of names on her phone. She was taking a huge risk, calling PJ's annoying friend, Emmitt Heglin out of the blue, but she was on the verge of desperation. There was no doubt in her mind that he would go berserk knowing that she had called him just to hear his voice. He'd answer the phone and say "Hey, Teddy Bear!" in that obnoxious tone of his. Ugh, and to think that she once had a dream about kissing him! What was she thinking, telling him about it? And worse, why had she thought that kissing him to get it out of her system would be a good idea? It wasn't… that was for sure.
The idea of talking to him now should have sickened her, but she found that she missed him. How in the heck did that happen? Had she become so pitiful that she actually missed such an annoying human being?
Taking a deep breath, she found his name on her contact list and pushed the tiny telephone sign. She had no idea what she would say to him when he answered but she was sure she would think of something. It was inevitable that such a random phone call would lead him to believe that she was remotely attracted to him, although nothing could be further from the truth. The guy would start calling non-stop and, if word of this humiliation got out, her college reputation would be completely ruined….
Not that she actually had a reputation to begin with.
She barely knew anyone at Yale, except for Victor, and she tried to keep her distance from him.
He was, of course, her friend and it would always be that way, but they were in a different world now and… well… she wanted to be her own person. She could have easily contacted him, for his dorm, Hanson Hall, was less than three blocks from her own. But it wasn't the same.
The phone rang repeatedly and then stopped. Her breath caught in her throat but then she heard the dreaded voice mail greeting. "Hey! Sup! This is Emmitt. Talk to me!"
The tone blared in her ear and but she couldn't bring herself to speak, let alone leave a message. Instead she stared out of the window, her gaze transfixed on the expansive view of the campus. If she couldn't have an actual conversation with someone, then what was the point?
The relentless tears stung her eyes and she turned on the television, hoping for some sort of distraction. But even the local news was tormenting her. The journalist was over-excited about a "thrilling" new mega thrill ride that had just opened at a theme park.
But when the picture on the screen changed, she was shocked to see a familiar place; Super Adventureland, the place where she'd been arrested and then labeled a hero for uncovering a ring of pickpockets, and the place where she'd been forced to kiss Spencer during their break-up. So many memories… and now there was a new cool ride that her family and friends would be enjoying… without her.
She could feel her chest aching and she was no longer in the mood to study. If this kept up, she'd flunk out of Yale before she barely began and disgrace herself and her family. But at least she'd be at home where she belonged.
It was this thought that she took with her as she climbed onto her bed once more, soaking her pillow with her tears.