Friend : A College Romance (What Happens on Campus Book 3)
Friend
What Happens on Campus, #3
By M L Sparrow
Copyright © 2019 M L Sparrow
Cover Design by Deranged Doctor Designs
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The characters and names are products of the author’s imagination.
Other Books by M L Sparrow:
Young Adult
The Demon Inside
Ghetto
A Tangled Web
Adult
Player (What Happens on Campus, #1)
Flirt (What Happens on Campus, #2)
No Rest for the Wicked
The Making of Lilith
Eco-Fiction
Red Days
To all my amazing friends.
Some I’ve drifted apart from over the years, others have become family, some are family by blood. All of them have made my life better just for having known them.
You know who you are!
xxx
Table of Content
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Baby
Player
Flirt
“Perhaps we were friends first and lovers second.
But then perhaps this is what lovers are.”
― André Aciman
Chapter One
Leaving the bar, Terri rolled her shoulders back with a sigh. A few more drinks and she would have been ready to dance until dawn, but as it was, she’d only drunk enough to be sleepy. Going out on her own was no fun. Usually Jet came with her, but he was glued to his laptop tonight; apparently, he had a self-imposed deadline fast approaching and a plot hole to fix in his latest novel.
She left the hustle and bustle of the bar district and pulled her cell out to dial a taxi to take her back to campus. The line was busy, so she pressed the red button and slid her cell back into her jeans pocket. She’d start walking and try again in a few minutes. Besides, it wasn’t a long walk.
It was as she was approaching the coffee shop where she worked that she heard footsteps behind her.
Terri woke suddenly, her eyes snapping open. Muscles tense, she lay staring up at the ceiling, forcing herself to breathe deeply until her heart stopped racing. It had been almost two weeks since the attack, but both her body and mind still ached, though she was loath to admit it.
She didn’t want to get out of bed, but she did. The bruises may not be gone, but at least now they were coverable with makeup and she’d promised her twin sister that she’d get up and meet her and their friends for breakfast, before they left for spring break.
Riley had talked about staying on campus with her, since she’d cancelled her own plans, but Terri had talked her out of it. She just wanted to be alone for a while. Except she didn’t really; she just didn’t want to have to deal with everyone’s pity and their tiptoeing around; she wanted to pretend like the attack had never happened, but her friends wouldn’t let her forget, despite their best efforts. Their knowledge of what had happened screamed at her every time she looked at them
In the shower, she scrubbed herself until her skin was red and the scent of lemongrass soap stung her nose. The mirror was fogged over when she got out and she walked past without clearing it. It wasn’t until she was dry and dressed, that she returned to the bathroom and wiped the mirror with the corner of her towel so that she could use it to put on makeup. It felt so strange to be totally focused on the task, when the most she usually wore was a swipe of mascara, or a dab of concealer if she had a breakout.
When she was done, she left her dorm room for the first time in almost two weeks, with her mask in place. Pretending she was fine was all well and good, except that every muscle she had was tense and when someone suddenly thrust open their door she jumped, knocking her shoulder painfully against the wall.
Her heart was racing as she pulled herself together and forced herself to keep moving. The elevator doors slid open just as she reached it and the guy waiting there stepped inside. She eyed the otherwise empty elevator with its mirrored back wall, then the guys broad frame. She knew him from around, he’d always been friendly, but she’d be alone with him in an enclosed space and the very idea made her nauseous.
“You getting in?” he asked with a smile, keeping the door open with one hand.
Her entire body rejected the notion.
“No,” she croaked. Cleared her throat, enforcing her voice with a casualness she didn’t feel. “I’ll take the stairs. Better exercise.”
He grinned, patting his flat stomach. “Yeah, I should probably start taking the stairs, too.”
For one heart stopping moment, she thought he meant to step out and join her, but he just removed his hand from the door and lifted it in farewell as the metal barriers closed between them.
Her breath left her in a rush and she sagged, bracing a hand against the wall for support.
“You okay?” The voice behind her made her flinch violently, spinning around to face the speaker.
Dark eyes concerned, her best friend held up his hands as he moved closer. “It’s just me. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
The relief she felt at the sight of him made anger flare and her voice came out harsh. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought we could walk to the diner together.”
She hated that he countered her anger with calm, his voice softening. Jet’s eyes flickered to her mouth, but it wasn’t because he wanted to kiss her, like she’d wanted to kiss him since they were freshmen, it was the still healing cut on her lower lip that drew his gaze.
She didn’t want his pity, or his guilt.
“I told you yesterday when you asked that I wanted to walk on my own.”
“I don’t remember that.” He frowned. “Sorry, I’ve been distracted with this new book I’m writing.”
She scowled at him, knew he was faking, but he was already moving back toward the stairs and she could either follow him or wait for the elevator to return.
Huffing a breath, she went after him, digging her hands into her pockets. She was already beginning to sweat in her jeans and hoodie, but she’d wanted the comfort of being covered, her clothes creating a shield between her and everyone else.
Clearly in an effort to distract her, Jet was rambling on about his latest work in progress. Usually, she’d have listened with rapt attention; he was an amazing writer and she truly believed he’d become a successful author sooner rather than later, but today her mind was on other things. Like the unnerving feeling of people watching her, someone walking too close behind her, a touch on her shoulder that must have just been the breeze.
Surely Jet could tell she was having a freak-out, but he knew her too well to say anything, he just kept
talking as if everything was normal, his pace perfectly matched to hers, his hand swinging within reaching distance if she wanted to take it. She wanted to, of course she did, but she couldn’t. She may have changed since the attack, but they hadn’t, their relationship hadn’t; there was still only friendship between them, despite the unnecessary guilt he felt.
They reached the diner on the outskirts of campus and Terri saw their friends sitting in a booth by the window. Her twin sister, Riley, spotted them and waved.
The place was fairly quiet, given that most people had left for spring break as soon as classes finished the day before, but there were still enough people inside that she felt the walls closing in on her as they stepped through the door.
She hated herself for this weakness, but although her mind was rational, her body had different ideas. It wanted to run, to barricade herself safe in her room where she could heal. Now, she was glad Jet had ignored her desire to come alone, because she didn’t think she would have made it halfway without him at her side.
Climbing over her new boyfriend, Cam, Riley rushed toward them and threw her arms around her, hugging her tight. Terri had never been much of a hugger, now the feeling of arms around her, no matter who’s, made her whole body tense up.
As soon as her sister’s grip loosened, Terri stepped back.
“You finally came out of your room! That’s great!” Riley grinned, oblivious to the eyes and ears of the people around them. “Did you change your mind about coming with us? You wouldn’t even need to pack, you could just borrow my clothes; I have enough for both of us.”
“Maybe we could talk about this quietly at the table?” Jet suggested.
“Sure. You guys are probably starving, come get some breakfast.”
Riley bounced off, back to the table where the others were waiting, and Terri took another deep, steadying breath. Briefly, she felt Jet’s hand on her lower back and, although she knew it was him, she jerked. Immediately, it dropped away.
She had been wrong before when she said things were the same between them; before he had touched her casually, easily, now he hesitated, drew away, as if unsure what was allowed.
Her heart twisted in regret as they walked toward the booth and Jet slid in next to Parker, leaving her to take a seat beside Riley, who was leaning against Cam.
Between Parker, her boyfriend, and the window, Chloe leaned across the table and asked quietly, “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
Maybe that came out sounding a little too aggressive, but Chloe took it in stride. “Good, I’m glad.”
“So,” Parker said loudly, “what’s everyone havin’? I’m starvin’ to death and we’ve got to get goin’ soon.”
There was brief reprieve when everyone turned their eyes to the menus, despite the number of times they’d all eaten here, and relayed to the waitress what they were having, then the attention was back on her as Riley asked if she was going away with them once more.
Before the incident, they had all planned on heading away for spring break. They’d thought of going to Cancun, along with almost everyone else on campus, but after Riley’s stint in rehab, the others had decided simply to head to California. There Riley and Cam could see their families and Parker and Chloe could still hang out at the beach. Plus, they wouldn’t have to pay for a hotel since Riley and Terri’s mom would be ecstatic to have a full house. She’d probably plan a party or two. Which was one of the reasons Terri had decided to stay on campus for the week.
“I’m not going home,” she said firmly, concentrating on her pancakes when they arrived, although her appetite had left her.
“What? Why not?” Riley exclaimed, looking genuinely distressed.
“Seriously, Riley, don’t you have an inside voice?” Terri grumbled, shoving a forkful of food into her mouth and chewing before she said, “I just need some space.”
“Well, locking yourself in your cramped little room isn’t space.”
She grit her teeth. “Emotional space.”
Riley opened her mouth again and Terri pressed her tongue against her front teeth to stop herself from screaming for everyone to just back off, but then Cam leaned over and squeezed her sister’s hand and she trailed off. Terri shot him a grateful look over the top of Riley’s head.
She liked Cam, he was a nice guy and he seemed to have a calming effect on her wayward sister, plus he’d stood by Riley despite her drug issues and he genuinely seemed to love her, despite their many differences.
“Maybe it would be good for you,” Chloe put in, “a bit of peace and quiet.”
Parker gave her a look, but a swift elbow in the gut had him agreeing, too.
Jet took a sip of his coffee and added, “Besides, I’ll still be around. We can hang out together.”
“I thought you were going to New York,” Chloe said.
“My parents decided to go see Mom’s family in India at the last minute, so I’m just going to stay here.”
Terri narrowed her eyes on him, but he avoided her gaze. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“That’s fine, we don’t have to hang out if you don’t want to. I promise I’ll avoid you like the plague. I’ve got a lot of writing to do anyway.”
Riley glanced between them and out of the corner of her eye, Terri saw her sister grin. It wasn’t some twin bond which told her exactly what Riley was thinking; in this, her sister was easy to read. She could have told her it would never happen; Jet wasn’t interested in her like that, if he had been, they’d have got together two years ago.
The conversation trailed off as everyone ate, before resuming a few minutes later. Listening to the others, she did feel a little jealous that she wasn’t going too, but in her current state she knew she wouldn’t enjoy herself and she couldn’t bear to walk into the house she’d grown up in and see the dramatic tears in her mom’s eyes, or the anger on her dad’s face. Going home felt impossible just then.
***
An hour later, they wandered over to the car park and she and Jet said goodbye to the others and waved them off. For the life of her, Terri couldn’t understand why they were driving to California after their last road trip, which, though not awful, had been long and cramped and not as fun as expected.
Riley gave her another hug before jumping into the passenger seat of her convertible, since Cam was driving. A wise decision considering her sisters awful motor skills.
“Hey, no, no way,” Parker spoke up, slamming the trunk shut after somehow managing to cram everything inside. “I called shotgun.”
Terri rolled her eyes; as did Riley and Chloe.
“Babe, you’re not ten.”
“She has short legs, perfect to squeeze in the back of her teeny, tiny car. I have long legs, so I get the front seat.”
Chloe’s eyebrows shot up, a grin twitching at the corner of her mouth. “I have long legs, too. You should be a gentleman and let me sit in the front.”
“Sugar, I’m no gentleman. Get over it.” Going to stand by the passage side door, he jerked his thumb at the backseat.
“Fine!” Riley exclaimed. “But us girls get to pick the music.”
“Nah, we decided this on the last road trip, driver gets to pick.”
Riley chirped, “Okay. Cam here’s my phone, I made a road trip playlist.”
“Shit.”
Chloe laughed, leaning over to squeeze her boyfriend’s shoulder, before snagging the red cap he always wore and putting it on her own head, threading her long ponytail through the back.
“Why are we taking the Barbie car anyway?” Parker grumbled, folding himself into the front seat. “Jet, can’t we borrow yours?”
“Sorry, dude, since I’m not going away, I’ll need it.”
“Can’t you take the bus wherever you need to go? Besides, Terri has a car.”
“Mine’s a two seater,” Terri put in, before anyone got ideas about borrowing the car she’d saved up for the last two years to buy. Her parents would have brought her on
e without batting an eyelid, but she’d wanted it to be all her own, the result being that she was a little protective of her baby.
“There you go. Two seats, perfect for you and Jet.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Jet countered. “Why don’t you guys take the bus?”
Chloe sighed, mumbling, “Is it too late to get on a plane?”
“Come on guys,” Riley whined, “this is going to be fun. I don’t remember much of the last road trip.”
That was because she’d spent most of the time high and/or drunk. Terri was amazingly glad that her sister had come through that phase of her life and was now clean; she desperately hoped she never gave into the pull again.
“Okay, let’s go then,” Parker sighed. “Wake me when it’s my turn to drive.”
They waved goodbye and as the car left the parking lot Terri heard pulsing pop music pouring out of the speakers.
“Well, I wish them all luck.”
She turned to look at Jet. “You know, you could have gone, too.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“A week hanging out at the beach, who doesn’t want that?”
“You, clearly.”
“I have reasons, none of which apply to you.”
“Well, I don’t like the beach. I always get sunburnt.”
Her eyes stroked the lines of his face; she loved his dark skin, the jigsaw of ethnicities that had added to his angular face and chocolate brown eyes. She ground her back teeth together. “Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.”
“You used to think it was charming.”
“I never thought it was charming, I was playing along.”
“Well, go back to pretending.”
She sighed, feeling like she needed to reiterate. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I know, but I reckon you could do with a best friend right about now.”
Crossing her arms, she looked at the ground between them, unable to look at his face right then. She tried to speak, but the words formed a knot in her throat.