Page 41 of Out in the Open

Ethan continued into the stairwell, then stopped. Something inside him, some green light, made him turn around and march into Lorna’s room.

“Can we talk?”

“Um, sure. My door is always open.”

Jessica hated that. She liked her door closed. Nobody needed to see her business, she had told him once.

“Can we close it for this conversation?” he asked. Nerves choked his throat.

Lorna did as he asked, and she didn’t seem bothered by it. In fact, the look he saw upon her face was concern.

“What’s up?”

“I…well, I don’t know how to say this.” He paced around in the confined space.

“Would it be better if we played charades?”

“What? No.”

“Oh my Lord. You knocked someone up.”

“No!”

“Knocked someone out?”

He cocked his head at her. Her first idea sounded more plausible.

“Give me a hint here.”

Ethan crossed his arms so tightly they turned white. “I don’t even know where to start. It’s kind of complicated, and I haven’t talked to anyone about it.”

“You’re fucking a straight guy,” she said with absolute conviction. “Well, ‘straight.” She used air quotes.

Ethan dropped his arms to his sides. His mouth hung open. She must be a psychic or a witch. Lorna clapped her hands wildly.

“That is so hot. Tell me everything!”

“I told you. I don’t know where to start.”

“Start with a name.” She sat on Jessica’s desk and rested her feet on the chair. Ethan held his breath, picturing the shitstorm she’d be in if Jessica ever found out.

“I can’t. He’s in a frat.”

“Even hotter.”

Ethan shot her a look, and she toned it down, rubbing his arm. “You don’t have to tell me his name. Just know that whatever we discuss in here is top secret. Contrary to what my roommate has probably told you, I’m not some typical blabbermouth sorority girl. I mean, I can be if I don’t like you. But I like you, so we’re all good!”

Lorna had a natural buoyancy and energy that Ethan soaked in. Just being around her made him feel more positive, like any problem was merely a situation.

“You like me?” he asked.

“Yeah! You’re the only one of Jessica’s friends who doesn’t give me the evil eye. So dish!”

Ethan regaled Lorna with the tale of him and Greg (called “Frat Guy” in Ethan’s version). He spared no detail, and at the end, he inhaled deeply. It was a refreshing breath, and no matter what advice Lorna had, he already felt better.

“Wow.” Lorna leaned against Jessica’s hutch, and a stack of pennies fell to the floor, joining some other loose change. “Isn’t it nice having those chair arms that go up there? I don’t know how people gave movie theater blowjobs in the past.”

“So what do I do?” He sat in Jessica’s chair, and Lorna put her feet in his lap. He threw his arm over them. He didn’t wonder how they got to this point; it felt natural. Some people you just clicked with.