The Perfect Emotion by Melissa Rolka Read Free Book Online Page A

reaches around to the back of my chair to rest. I try to pretend that I don’t notice, but he’s closer than I’d like and I can hear his breathing. Throughout the studying I keep myself focused and avoid engaging in any conversation aside from accounting with Andy. Eventually, he moves his arm and I feel like I can breathe easier. I force myself to study as long as possible, but my mind and body are exhausted by midnight. There are only a few of us left at this point.
    “Wow, I’m exhausted.” I try to stifle my yawn. “I’m going to go get some sleep and then study again before the test.” I reach across towards Andy to grab my calculator and his hand lightly reaches out and touches mine. I stop wide-eyed and pull my hand with the calculator in tow quickly back to me.
    “Sorry, I, uh.”  I’m tired and drained, but I stare at him hoping that he’ll explain what just happened as an accident.  “I was just going to as-“
    “Don’t worry about it.  It’s late and I’m beat.”  I try my best at sounding unaffected and nonchalant.  I start throwing everything into my bag as quick as I can before grabbing my coat. 
    “Yeah, let me walk you back to your dorm. I should get some sleep too.” I don’t bother trying to tell him not to because he’s already packing up.
    “Okay, thanks.”
    On the walk back to my dorm I keep any conversation focused on accounting.  Andy abides to my unspoken rule and once I’m in a clear shot of my dorm I tell him that I will see him tomorrow.  He lets me race off towards the dorm without pressing me any further. 

    My test for accounting went smooth and I feel really good about the whole week. I managed to avoid any conversations with Andy other than when I first walked into the room to take the test. Part of me feels bad about how I’m dealing with him, but at the same time I’ve done nothing to make him think I’d be open to anything more than friends. He’s a nice guy, attractive enough, but just not someone I’d be interested in. I almost make myself laugh as I am walking over to the Union. Who am I kidding I don’t think I’ll ever think anyone is my type again … other than Reed.
    I decide to hurry through and just grab some soup to go and head back to my dorm to sneak a nap in before I meet Reed.  The lightness I feel throughout me is a welcomed change.  I know part of it is from doing well on all my tests and paper, but a big part of it is from my progress in therapy, dinner with my mom and Reed’s invitation to play tennis tonight.  My heartbeat picks up at just the thought of seeing him tonight.  I’m practically giddy.  It’s still difficult to think about how I left things though.  I wonder if I’ll ever be able to move past what I did. 
    Once I’m up in my room I settle at my desk to eat my soup. I finish up and take my hair down before changing into my PINK pants and tank. I’m just about to settle in my bed when Maggie comes in breathless. She blows the hair from her face and makes a growl sound.
    “You okay?” I ask hesitantly.
    “No.  I mean yes, but Brandon sure has some nerve.  I caught him talking to Dirty Diana again! ARGH.” 
    “What? Really?  Did you go up to him?”
    “No he’ll know I know though when he comes by later. She had her hands all over him, running her fingers over his tat. He just sat there too. I think I even saw him smile back at her. He doesn’t do smiley either.” She has a point.
    “Why don’t you go talk to him?”  Things like this happen all the time with these two.  They really are adorable, but they are always hot and cold.  I don’t let myself get too concerned. 
    “No way, I’m beat. Let’s watch TV and take a nap.” We close the blinds and make the room as dark as possible. Maggie throws a do not disturb sign on the outside of the door and soon after we are both asleep.

    It’s just shy of six when I open the doors to the Rec Center.  I head into the locker room to drop my