Presley

 

“Lord, what time is it? You are still working on that paper?” Jodi yawns through her question as I smile and toss a bag at her. She gasps when she sees it’s her favorite bagel, and then when I nod to the cup of coffee on her dresser, she launches herself at me.

“Geez, must you hug me every time I bring you food?”

“Food no, but coffee…yes. Coffee is what sustains me, and I always hug the coffee giver. Thank you, my bestest friend of all of the friends.”

“No wonder you are so popular at Starbucks,” I joke. She opens the lid and peers down at the contents suspiciously.

“Yes, Jodi, there’s only one cream and one sugar. Even though it makes zero sense to me, why even bother if it’s just one?”

“Because one does make a difference, Miss Presley. I don’t care what you say. I can always tell when you taint the perfection by adding two.” The funny thing is she can always tell. “So back to my previous question, before you so graciously bestowed my breakfast upon me, are you still doing that paper? I thought you worked on it all night.” I look down and she catches it.

“Well…”

“You mean you didn’t go to the library last night? Spill it, girl.”

“Not exactly. I was on my way over there, but then I decided to go to Barrett’s to work, although things got a little weird, so I left and came back here, went to bed, and then got up early to finish it.

“Weird how?”

“I don’t know. He’s just hurting, you know? And I’m not sure how to make it better.” She doesn’t say anything for a moment but I can tell she wants to. “Go ahead and say it.”

“Why is it your job to make it better? Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s very nice of you to care so much, and I know you guys had some weird instant connection or whatever, but I want to make sure it’s going both ways, Pres. You are one of my best friends and I adore you, but you’ve been doing a lot for this kid, and so far it doesn’t seem like he’s giving you much back. You are young and beautiful and amazingly smart and talented…I just want you to know you’re worth it, is all.” She has a point…a pretty big one, actually.

“Gah.” I drop my head to my hands.

“You like him, don’t you?”

“I mean at first no, I really did just want to help, I felt bad for him, you know? But since I’ve been going over there, he’s really opened up to me, Jodi. Not in words, but just, I mean it sounds weird, but he lays himself bare sometimes. We have this connection that transcends words or communication at all. We can be completely silent, yet say so much, if that makes any sense at all.”

“Wow. I didn’t realize it was that deep.”

“I don’t think he does either, which is the problem.”

“Well, there’s no reason why you can’t have that connection and just be friends. I mean maybe he isn’t in a place right now where he can give back, you know? Which is fine. You can still be there for him in friendship, I just don’t want to see you hurt. You’re in college, play the field a bit, have some fun, date.”

“I don’t know…”

“Well, at least don’t close yourself off to it.”

“Okay, I won’t close myself off to the idea. Now I’ve got to go, I need to pick him up for our Great America trip.” Jodi rolls her eyes but stands and heads back to her side of the room.

“I’m so glad you took my advice to heart,” she sarcastically adds and I chuckle.

“I did, really. It’s just as friends. He gets his cast off soon, but he’s so twitchy, I was hoping I could help. You know how it is when you’re so close to getting something you want, the end just drags on, so I’m hoping this will help a bit. It’s the last time, I promise. After this, the ball is in his court.”

“And you’ll start seeing other people? Actually, try to meet someone else?”

“I’m still me, Jo. I’m not going to go out of my way to meet a guy. But if one happens to find me, I won’t push him away without cause. Happy?”

“Ecstatic. Now go have fun, I need to go to class.”

“Have a good day,” I yell as I grab my purse and head for the door.

“Love your face,” she yells back.

 

 

Talking to Jodi actually makes me feel much better. I was up most of the night not focusing on my paper, but on Barrett, and trying to read him, which let’s face it, is virtually impossible. But after talking to Jodi, I realize that I do have other options. I’m not going to give up on Barrett, because everyone else minus his uncle has already done that. But I can easily give up on any romantic notions. She’s right, I’m young and it’s my time to have fun and not worry about any entanglements.

With that weight lifted, I decide some cheery music is in order. I turn on Pharrell’s song ‘Happy’ and blare it. You can’t help but smile and car dance along to this song, which is exactly what I’m doing as I pull up. Of course, Barrett is taking the trash out as I’m bopping along in my car with a huge grin on my face, so I toss him a little wave. He shakes his head, but he doesn’t hide the small smile I know is dying to be freed. He comes over to the driver’s side and pops his head in. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a grey t-shirt with his black baseball cap on backwards, but he pulls it off well.

“Whatsup? Get in.” I gesture to the passenger seat and he just stands there staring at me for a bit. “Come on. Get in. Now please.” He shakes his head once more, then heads inside. Just when I’m ready to go in and get him, he comes out again, but instead of going to the passenger side, he approaches me and opens the door.

“Out,” he signs with his casted hand.

“What? Come, B, we need go.”

“Out,” he voices this time, but then shocks the crap out of me by tossing me his keys. I hurry out of my car and then just stand there, dumbly looking from his keys to him and back again.

“Want me drive your car?”

“Want? No. I don’t want anyone to drive Eliza but me. Need to be driven,” he says casually, but I can tell by the way he fists his hands tight that the idea of having someone else drive his car is hard on him. So, I decide to lighten the mood.

“E L I Z A huh?” I joke as jump in the driver’s seat.

“It’s a Fairlane. And My Fair Lady was my mom’s favorite…so I just thought Eliza was a fitting name.”

And I die. He looks thoroughly embarrassed to the core, like he regrets telling me. Before I think through my actions, I lean over and kiss him softly. His eyes bulge. I do what I do best and ignore the awkwardness by switching the subject.

“E L I Z A best car name. My Fair Lady my favorite too.” I don’t give him a chance to respond when I slide back over to my side and buckle my seat belt. I adjust the seat, and then the mirror. I look over to see him grinding his teeth and I smile widely.

“Killing you drive car me?”

“Yes. Now drive,” he bites out, and I laugh, doing as I’m told. We drive in silence for a while, neither of us saying a word, but not really having to. That’s the weirdest thing about this weird relationship. Words are never needed. And I don’t feel the need to fill the silence with useless chatter like I used to. After we drive a bit more he turns to me.

“You can listen music.”

“Why do that me?” I sign one handed.

“Love music you.”

“Yes. Love music me. But driving with you.”

“Fine, bother me not.” I look in my mirrors and then pull the car to the side of the road and fully face him.

“Yes, love music me. Can’t hear you. Not enjoy if you can’t. When not drive me and can explain music you, then yes, listen me. Until you enjoy, I won’t.” He gives me the strangest look; one I can’t even try to decipher. He doesn’t say anything for a minute and when it’s clear he isn’t going to, I put the car back into gear and head back to the road. We drive in comfortable silence until I pull up to the Six Flags lot.

“Seriously?” He sounds so skeptical that I chuckle.

“Yes, seriously. We so much fun not want leave you.” I grab my purse and then his hand. I knew he wouldn’t let me pay for him, so I bought our tickets ahead of time and I flash him a bright smile at his look of annoyance when I hand the clerk our ticket receipt.

“Now what?”

“Rollercoaster.” I can’t hide my enthusiasm. I came here for him, but I’m like a little kid when it comes to theme parks, and I hope it rubs off on him. He studies me for a moment then shrugs and holds up his hands.

“Lead away.”

“Yes!” I might do a few fist pumps and a little dance, which causes him to chuckle and follow me, shaking his head. I won’t tell Barrett but I did extensive research on all of the rides before we came. The Medusa Ride is the reason why we are here. It goes 65 mph and up 150 feet in the air. If this ride doesn’t get your blood pumping, you are dead. As I look over at a very alive Barrett, I smile and point out the direction we are headed.

“You seriously brought me here go rides all day?”

“Yes. Now stop complaining and go.” I drag him over to the ride, and lucky for us, the lines are small since it’s a school day. I’m stoked that I thought of this idea and really hope it works. That enthusiasm doesn’t leave me until we are strapped in and our feet are dangling. I might have forgot to mention that heights and I don’t exactly get along. Also, the only ride I can actually remember going on is the tea cups. There’s so much about amusement parks that I love, the rides were just never one of them, but once I set my mind to something I’m sure as hell going to do it, or die trying…oh Lord, please don’t let me die!