Page 19 of Anything (Mayberry University #1)
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I asked Zoe what she thought about getting one of the Flooders to coach us this year,” Sophie says. “She loved the idea. So I talked Austin into taking the job.”
My head snaps up. Oh, did you?
“You know he played varsity running back in high school. His team won State. In Texas, no less. And the Flooders have won nearly all their games since he started playing quarterback. ”
She’s so cute going on about Austin, though she’s never admitted her obvious thing for him. Not that I deserve the truth—especially in this department.
“We will have such”—her speech slows—“a leg up …”
I turn to follow her darting gaze. Another group of Flooders just walked into Saga. Just Leo and some other freshmen. Who is she looking at? She glances down the table and back at the door.
“… on the other …”
I edge forward and interrupt in a whisper. “Which one?”
Sophie jumps. Her eyes drill into mine. “It doesn’t matter. He blows me off when I try to talk to him. Not everyone can be Perfect Little Kit.”
I flinch.
What do I do? Please, not a repeat.
Ayumi gapes.
“Hey!” Mia says. “What is your deal?”
Sophie stands. “Whatever. I’ll see you guys later.”
Mia shakes her head. “No idea. We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Our weekly phone dates after Praise and Prayer aren’t cutting it for me. I need to talk to Mom. I call on the way back from dinner, strategically avoiding FaceTime.
“Kit girl. I was just praying for you. How are you? Have you been … mentally healthy?”
Not that subject. “Kind of the same. I’m fine though.” Good thing she can’t see my face.
“Have you found anyone you can talk?—”
Nope, nope, nope. “Hey, Mom? Sophie’s mad at me about something.”
After a beat, “Do you know what about?”
I’m afraid it’s the same thing as last year—jealousy. But I can’t say that. What if I’m wrong? “She snapped at me out of the blue.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. College is weird. You bond so fast that you have bigger fights sooner.”
Checks out.
“I ended up spending time with mostly guys my first year because the girls were so … dramatic,” she says. “They wouldn’t use their words.”
Mom’s standard phrase for lack of communication. I miss her.
“I’m sure you had little patience for that,” I say.
“Mm-hm.” I can almost see Mom’s eyelids fluttering on the other side of the call.
Just be honest. It’s Mom. “I’m … nervous that last year is going to happen all over again. The awful friend stuff.”
“I hope not, sweetie. But God provides in every way. If these aren’t the friends God has for you, he’ll bring along others. You can trust him.”
Right. I can trust you with this.
“The quick bonding happens with boys too, by the way,” she says. “I’d say more so.”
“I can see that.” Two nights ago Levi told me I’m special, that the time he has talking to me is never enough.
Swoon, double swoon. But also, not good.
I wish I could talk to Mom about it. Not telling a living soul has me bursting, but no one understands what I face.
Anyone would just tell me to push through or give him up. So why bother asking?
“Oh?” She feigns innocence. “Have you been getting to know Levi better?”
“Yes.”
“Does he love the Lord?”
She doesn’t ask whether he goes to church or calls himself a Christian. Aiden taught me that those mean nothing on their own.
“He really does. He’s a good guy, Mom, but we’re just friends.”
“I see.” From her voice I can tell she actually does.
“Sophie, wait. Is there something I can do to … be a better friend to you?” Drop the silent treatment, lady! I can’t have her bitterness hanging over me like a dark cloud. I have enough of those, thank you very much.
Sophie’s barely said a thing to me for two days, so I’ve been waiting in the lounge to catch her since Praise and Prayer.
It’s Sunday night and past time to use my words.
I’ll be pushy if I need to so we can start next week fresh.
Mia probably knows something, but I should do my own dirty work. Gossip is the worst.
Stopping in the doorway of the suite, Sophie turns to me exasperated—ugh, rude again—but comes to plop down on the lounge sofa with pursed lips.
I feel for Sophie. Being ignored by a guy you like feels awful.
I’ve got a lifetime o’ knowledge— She’s the Man !
—being invisible. I didn’t get asked to a single dance before my senior year of high school.
In fact, in sixth grade, I had a giant crush on this boy, Luke Buyers.
I stood in the dark, echoey gym as the first slow song started at the Valentine’s dance—“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.
My friends paired off with their guys, and Luke walked straight toward me.
I was so nervous I did a frantic 180, ran to the bathroom, and hid.
Monday morning, I found out he hadn’t been walking toward me at all—he was headed for my friend behind me. That was fun.
Anyway, I know what it’s like, far better than Sophie probably does. And I didn’t do anything to deserve her wrath.
She tilts her head back. “You know … Leo?” She catches some hair to twirl but drops it. “I just thought maybe I could … turn his head. He’s cute and funny and … and I’m nobody to him.”
Wait, the freshman who is quirky and—let’s be honest—awkward?
I know how guys are, so I would have thought he’d trade a limb for attention from vibrant and gorgeous Sophie.
Tall, toned, and feminine. A soft dusting of freckles, contagious smile, and bouncing blond hair.
In contrast, I remember when Leo chose to take a bite out of a cicada for his Extended Orientation task.
I try not to shudder. I mean, he’s kind and gentle, but Leo and not Austin?
I guess I was light years off on that one.
“You’re just—” Sophie gives a frustrated sigh. “You’re so pretty and … sweet. It gets to be a lot.”
I squeeze my closed laptop. How dare she. I had far more than enough of this last year. I’m not even that sweet. I guess I keep my remarks to myself most of the time, but that’s definitely not “a lot.”
She picks at her nail polish and doesn’t notice the smoke coming from my ears.
“I’m sorry I was rude to you the other day.
You don’t deserve it. It just kills me that—” She stops.
“Well I totally failed trying to talk to some guy—multiple times—and you don’t even care that Sir Levi himself suddenly stopped his bachelor life to chase after you. ”
My grip softens. Levi’s behavior makes no sense, and mine must seem equally bizarre. “It’s definitely me who’s doing all the sudden stopping.”
That earns a chuckle. “I shouldn’t take it out on you. I’m sorry. It’s just a bummer, you know?”
“Such a bummer.” What is going on in Leo’s head? He’d be crazy not to like Sophie. My mind is turning, scheming. “Would it be totally over the line if I asked Leo about you?”
She purses her lips again and replies with a wave of her hand. “Whatever. Ask him, ask any of them.” The other Flooders? “I don’t expect it will make any difference.”
If it’s Leo she wants, it’s Leo she’ll have.
“Where are you headed?” I use my friendliest voice, too high-pitched. I hate myself a little for sucking up to her to avoid further conflict.
Sophie checks the time and glides toward the door, posture more relaxed. “Taco Bell with some people from bio.” Her voice holds no snarky undertone. Seems promising. “Safe to say you’re going to bed?”
“Yeah. Have fun.”
“See ya. ”
Back to normal. I let out a breath.
Thank you for that.
I’m always here.
God’s presence with me is more palpable than usual, and I sit with him for a minute before pulling out my phone. Nine p.m. isn’t too late to text Levi, but he almost never texts me. I have to scroll way down to find him in my messages, and then my thumb hesitates over his name.
Hey. Have you seen Hitch?
Bloop . Sent.
The gratification of an almost instant ding back.
Hey, friend.
I have.
***
Could you help me with something?
Anything.
I shake my head, enamored and annoyed. How can a one-word text message make my heart beat faster?
He has a class thirty minutes after chapel, so this will be short. I can be brave for Sophie.
Coffee after chapel tomorrow?
Absolutely.
I love that he isn’t playing it cool with a “sure” or a “see you then.” A grin spreads across my face until a chill runs down my spine. What are the odds another chair will fall?
This isn’t for me. I can do this for Sophie.