Chapter 7
Two months had passed, winter break was on its way, and Nicky and Lucille were still together. I had managed to keep my feelings for Nicky under wraps, but I still had hoped that Nicky would come to his senses and see that Lucille was wrong for him. Unfortunately for my sanity, that was not the case. They had been "in love" ever since the night of the party. It was SO annoying! Everyday after classes, Nicky would come back to the dorm and talk about the "wonderful day" he had with Lucille. And everyday I would think of a new snarky comeback to respond with. It was absolutely sickening. Lucille had all her classes changed to have the same schedule as Nicky! I was surprised she actually got into college. Probably screwed around with the admissions counselor.
The Thursday before break, I was laying in bed after a long and harsh day of studying. I had to give three different presentations for three separate projects in three separate classes, all of which I worked on by myself. I was on the phone with my friend from back home, Kate. Kate and I were both misfits in high school, but we never let each other down when one of us needed help. We talked a lot about what we wanted to do with our lives and about how someday we'd be successful. Kate told me about how she was studying to become a teacher a couple of states away. I told her about my major in business.
"Just like your dad!" She said. "The business major really suits you. I can see you now, doing people's taxes, making deals on Wall Street!" We both laughed and I blushed even though Kate couldn't see me over the phone.
"You're too kind, Kate," I replied as I turned to my side on the bed to look out the window. "I bet you'll make a wonderful teacher. You were always so sweet when it came to children."
"Aw thanks Rod!" Kate giggled. "I hope one day to open up my own school for underprivileged kids."
"You're truly a saint. Soon I'll have to call you Mother Kate." I snorted with laughter and Kate giggled.
"You're making me blush, Rod! Anyway, how's life in the dorms? You got a nice roommate?" I swooned.
"Oh he's nice all right."
"Huh?" Kate snapped me back to reality. I cleared my throat.
"I-I-I um, mean," I changed my tone to sound more irritated, "he's nice all right."
"What's wrong?" Asked Kate concerned. "Is he mean to you?" I sighed.
"No, I mean, I don't know. He used to be really nice to me, but now all he cares about is his girlfriend. She's such a tramp too! You should see her, Kate."
"Hmmm," said Kate, "I'm all for a guy a who cares about his girl, but if I were her, I'd never let him treat his friends badly just because of me. Why don't you talk with her? Maybe she'll understand."
"You don't get it, Kate," I said, sitting up on my bed, "She loves the attention from Nicky. She practically feeds off of it."
"Ohhhhh, she's that kind of girl."
"Mmhmm. And Nicky is so irritating about it. He talks about her non-stop while I'm trying to read!" I grunted and laid back on the mantel of the bed.
"Sounds like a real power couple."
"Teehee."
"Hey, no need for sarcasm, Rod." I looked out the window and saw Nicky and Lucille walking towards the dormitories, hand in hand, smiling at each other, Lucille resting her head on Nicky's shoulder. "Rod? You still there?"
"Kate," I said softly, "can I ask you for some advice?"
"Sure Rod, ask away!" I put my hand against the window, condensation forming around my fingers as I watched Nicky hold the door to the dorms open for Lucille.
"If you really really liked someone, what would you do? Would you tell them? Even if they already had someone?"
"Ohhhh," I could almost hear Kate biting her nails, "I'm not the right person for relationship advice...but, um, I guess, if the person I liked already had a girlfriend, I don't think I would tell him until I felt the time is right. Until I felt right, you know? When the time is right, I'm sure you'll know what to say to this girl."
"Yeah...girl...right." Our telephone conversation was interrupted by the sound of banging against the door of my dorm. "Listen Kate, Nicky and Lucille are back from their," I made a gagging sound, "date. I'll call you later, sweetie. Have a great winter break! Promise to come and visit?" Kate giggled.
"I promise. Bye Rod!" Kate hung up and I placed the phone back on the receiver. The knocking on the door became louder and louder.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I shouted. "Keep your panties on!" I unlocked the door and Lucille burst through the door, hitting me in the face.
"Took you long enough! We were waiting in the hall for hours!"
"Ow..." I winced as I rubbed my nose to keep it from swelling. The last thing I needed was another reason for people to mock me. Surprisingly, Nicky looked away from Lucille and came over to me.
"Hey buddy, are you okay?" I turned away from Nicky with a huff.
"What do you care? Just leave me alone."
"Yeah, but Rod-"
"I said leave me alone Nicky!" I looked down and mumbled to myself, "I'm already in enough pain..." I went over to the mini-fridge, took out an ice pack, then placed it on my nose.
"Aww," said Lucille mockingly, "did baby hurt himself?" I growled at her in anger. I swear I could feel the steam coming out of my ears.
"Lucille," said Nicky, "don't call Rod a baby." Lucille rolled her eyes and laid down on Nicky's bed.
"Oh my special baby," whined Lucille, "Come here so you can hold me!" Her annoying voice pierced my eardrums. Nicky did as he was told and sat on his bed, wrapping his arms around his sorry excuse for a girlfriend. They whispered sweet nothings to each other, giggled, and kissed. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my books.
"Well, if you're just gonna take over the dorm for the night to do God knows what, I will be taking my leave."
"Rod don't be like that," said Nicky as he got up from the bed, "We came over to come and get you. We wanted to invite you to come ice skating with us. I thought it'd be fun to do something together. You know, me, my girlfriend, and my bestest buddy! Whataya say?" I turned away and opened up one of my books.
"No thank you. I'd prefer not." Nicky pouted dramatically.
"But it won't be fun without you, Rod."
"Pfft, you've been fine without me all this time. Why would now make a difference?" I put my book up over my face so no one could see me frown. Nicky sighed.
"Gee, I guess I didn't think about it that way...I'm really sorry, pal. I wasn't thinking about how me doing all these things with Lucy would make ya feel." I lifted my face out of my book and turned to look at Nicky.
"Huh?"
"Rod," Nicky put his right hand on my left shoulder, making me blush lightly, "lemme make it up to you today. Ice skating is really fun and I could use another arm to help hold Lucille up from falling."
"Oh good," I thought to myself, "It'd be a shame if she 'accidentally' fell."
"Please?" Nicky's eyes were focused on mine. Oh lord, they were so enchanting. I looked down quick, trying to hide my blush.
"I-I don't know how to skate either..."
"I'll teach you. It'll be easy!" I thought about what would happen if I did go with them. All I would see the whole time is Nicky holding Lucille, her falling into his arms, them cuddling as a romantic ballad would play. I couldn't bear that...
"No, no I can't. I'll fall and if Lucille can't skate either, then I shouldn't go...She'll need your every bit of attention..." Nicky lifted up my chin, forcing me to look at him.
"Are you sure?" I blushed more and nodded sadly.
"Yes..." I said softly. "Yes I'm sure. Besides, I wanted to catch up on my reading anyway." Nicky didn't look happy, but Lucille grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.
"C'mon babe, the rink closes in a couple hours!"
"Oh, yeah, okay. Catch you later, Rod." I gave a quick wave to Nicky as Lucille pulled him out the door. I sighed and threw myself onto my freshly made bed. I picked up the telephone and dialed Kate's number.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kate, it's me. Are you busy?"
"No I can talk. How'd it go with the person you really like? Did you talk to them?" I sighed again.
"Yeah..."
"What'd they say?" I paused for a moment and took a deep breath.
"H-, I mean, she wanted me to go ice skating with her..."
"Why didn't you go?"
"Because I don't know how...and neither did her boyfriend..." Kate huffed.
"That's a dumb excuse, Rod." I put my hand on my forehead in exasperation.
"I know...but I also didn't wanna see him snuggling with her the whole time we skated. I didn't wanna be a third wheel, you know what I mean?"
"I feel you, brother." Hearing Kate say that with her sweet little voice made me chuckle. "Don't give up hope, though. I'm sure you'll reel her in any day now."
"I seriously doubt that."
"Why? You're just as good as any other guy." I mumbled quietly,
"But it's not guys he's into...Thanks Kate, but I don't know I could prove to hi-, I mean, prove to her that I'm a better person than what she has. Especially when her boyfriend is always around to pull her away from me."
"Hmmm...maybe try to talk to her when she's alone. Bond a bit more, you know?" I shrugged.
"It can't hurt to try."
"That's a good attitude! And if that doesn't work, I'd try reverse psychology."
"Reverse psycho-what now?" Kate giggled.
"Reverse psychology! It's what girls do when they want a guy to notice them." I jerked myself up so that I was sitting upright on my bed.
"And that works?!" Kate laughed.
"Yeah most of the time."
"How?!"
"Whoa, simmer down there." I blushed in embarrassment. "What you need to do is act like you don't care about her. Act like she's trivial or uninteresting to you. Then, if it works, they'll get frustrated and become caught up in trying to get your attention and to impress you. Once that happens, you give in to them little by little. Then, if everything goes well, poof! Instant relationship!"
"You make it sound so easy, Kate!" I could imagine Kate blushing as she held the phone.
"Oh, well, I've never really tried it out, but it's worked for my friends." I smiled.
"I'll definitely give it a try! Thank you Kate."
"I hope it works out for you, Rod. You deserve it!"
"You do too. Before you know it there will be a guy begging on his knees for you."
"I sure as hell hope so!" We both laughed for a solid 5 minutes, but then Kate said, "I need to go, Rod. I got a project due after break that I wanna get a head start on. Talk to you soon! Bye!"
"Bye sweetie!" I hung up and put the phone back on the receiver. I sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling.
"I hope Kate knows what she's talking about..."