Page 43 of Fireworks

Chapter Sixteen

March

*****

Katie

By the time I opened the door to my building, my clothing had been completely drenched in rain. Today was not shaping up to be a great day.

“Is it raining out?”

Ryder peered up from her computer as I entered the room.

“No, I showered with my clothes on. Figured two birds one stone. Less laundry to do.”

Her laughter filled the room.

“Sorry, stupid question. I’ve been stuck in this room for two hours trying to get this obnoxious paper done. I swear this professor hates me.”

Pulling my hoodie over my head, I noticed my shirt had also been thoroughly soaked. At least I was done with classes for a few hours and hopefully the rain would slow down before I had to head back out.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure they have it out for all the freshmen. You must be close to being done by now. You started before I left.”

I looked over at her, hopeful that she had made some progress. After having written the entire paper over the last few days, she started having a meltdown before my first class about how it was garbage and deleted the entire thing to start over. She was the definition of a perfectionist.

“She is so particular about grammar and is so tough with her grading. This has to be perfect. Damn, what time is it? I’m supposed to be meeting Paul for lunch. Shit.”

Looking up at the clock above the door, she scrambled to her feet.

“Lucky for you, he’s in love with you. He’ll still be there even if you don’t show until tomorrow.”

She hated when I brought it to her attention, but I couldn't help but state the obvious.

“No, he isn’t for the fifteenth time. We’re just friends.”

“Yes, friends, where the one wants to confess their undying love for the other one because she can’t see what's right in front of her own eyes.”

She glared at me as she made her way over to her closet. Ryder ran out of the room, her yellow raincoat hood pulled over her head before she even got out of the door. At least she would not get as wet as I had.

Paul and Ryder met in a study group she joined when we got back from winter break. At first, they were just strictly studying. It wasn’t long before I noticed how he looked at her; slowly undressing her with his eyes as she went over notes. He didn’t say a word and just followed her like a lost puppy any chance he got. It was cute watching him try to flirt and her being completely oblivious to it.

We had been back in class for the last few weeks, and I was dreaming of spring break already. My parents had made me promise them that we would all go see Asher’s new home. I was slightly excited to see him again. Even though we didn’t have the best relationship, I still missed having my brother around all the time.

He tried to call occasionally, but most of our conversations were him commenting for me to stop going to parties and get back to studying. That and asking if I was okay. I hated he had access to my social media pages. The times he called,we didn’t talk for long because Brandon always rushed me off the phone to spend time with him.

I had spent so much time preparing for being out on my own and not in the shadow cast by him and Nate. I never gave it much thought about what it would feel like not having that shadow around. It was something that had always been there and now that it was gone; it felt like a piece of my life was missing. As stupid as it sounded, I missed their little remarks when I stayed up all night studying or reading a book.

Having to spend my spring break with Nate was not something I was looking forward to. Unfortunately for me, he had also been invited to the family gathering. An entire week with no escape from him, my life just kept on getting better.

My phone buzzed uncontrollably on my bed as I pulled a fresh dry shirt over my head. Brandon just couldn’t take a hint. It took three missed calls and five text messages before I finally called him back. It had barely rung in my ear before I could hear him shushing people around him.

“Hey babe! Why weren’t you answering? I’ve been trying you all morning.”

“I had class, remember?”

He seriously can’t be this stupid to forget I had classes every morning of the week.

“Oh right. Forgot. Shut up guys, I’m on the phone. So anyway, can you skip your last class so you can come pregame with us?”