Page 11 of When You Smile

Charlie laughed. “Okay. Executive decision. Give me your hand.”

Taryn stared at Charlie’s offered hand, caught off guard, and placed her own inside it. The contact was instantly exhilarating, like a zap of electricity had just moved through her arm. She was holding hands with her former hot babysitter while wearing possibly the most revealing outfit she’d worn in her entire life. What a surreal experience.

“So. Did you get your book?” Taryn asked, pretending all was normal and she was simply making conversation. Why? Because embarrassment overtook her like a tidal wave as she tried unsuccessfully to get her jumpy vision to behave. All the while, Charlie held on to Taryn, keeping her steady. She adeptly guided her away from the frat house and onto the winding sidewalk that worked its way around the perimeter of campus.

“I did. And I got to see Danny in action in his advisor role. It was…something.”

“Right. Your boyfriend. Serious?” Taryn closed one eye thinking maybe that would help. She noticed herself leaning in to Charlie for added support, swallowing back the nausea that bubbled.

“It is serious. We’ve been together a few years and are planning on many more. Anyway. How are you feeling? Do you need to stop? Do you feel sick?”

“Definitely feel sick, but stopping seems ill-advised.” Instead, Taryn focused skyward. “The clouds are so much more noticeable at night here in academia. Pillows hovering above our heads like haloed professors. Man, I’m poetic when I drink.”

“Is that right?” Charlie laughed. “Hovering professor pillows. Intriguing descriptor.”

“You would know, being a writer and all. And those people over there, do you see them? Whoa. Look how small. Tiny little folks.” They were so cute. She waved and called to them. “Hi. You’re adorbs!”

Charlie squinted. “Well, that’s just because they’re far away.”

“Like little figurines poised for war.” Taryn laughed at her own assessment, imagining the battle play out on the manicured lawn. But then she tripped on the sidewalk, saved by Charlie, and that brought her back to the present. “Whoops! Shouldn’t do that. This is embarrassing.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Why was Charlie’s voice so smooth? Like warm butter. Taryn remembered her boobs from all those years ago. The white blouse she wore tonight said they were every bit as awesome now.

Taryn sighed. “This is going to be mortifying tomorrow, isn’t it? I’m going to wake up in horror and have memories like a patchwork quilt. God, I really like those things. Do you like quilts?” Taryn asked on the steps of Alexander, gripping the railing tighter than customary. Time was still fluid and rebellious. How were they already here? They’d just started walking.

“Quilts? Well, this has taken a turn.” Charlie shrugged. “Sure. I can appreciate a good quilt.”

“I knew you would. I did. It was a lock.”

Charlie laughed. “Also, I think you’ll be fine tomorrow, other than a well-earned headache.”

“Will you, though? You won’t hate me. That would be the worst.” She was bold to ask, but this was Charlie, whose opinion had always mattered to her. She shielded her eyes in horror. “God, that’s intense.” The fluorescent light outside the dorm was exceptionally bright, making her shift so the light didn’t make her want to squint like Dracula in the sun.

“Why don’t we turn you this way?” Charlie angled her so her back was to the light.

“You didn’t say if you were going to be okay tomorrow.”

“Me?” Charlie turned to look at her, and even in the drunken haze, Taryn spotted the reservation behind her eyes. “Is anyone ever really fine?” Hmm. Maybe things hadn’t gone so well with the boyfriend tonight. Obviously, she’d side with Charlie without a shred of information.

“Oh. I’m not really sure. Aren’t they?” Taryn wanted to ask more. Actually, she wanted to know everything about Charlie. Her intrigue overflowed, but her communication skills weren’t at their best, so she abstained.

“You’re probably right. Hey, let’s go up to your room.”

That perked Taryn up until she decoded the true meaning of the sentence. “No, I can make it on my own. You don’t have to escort me.”

“It’s not really an option I’m comfortable with.” Charlie continued walking. Or gliding. She had such an easy, graceful way of moving. Taryn remembered that from years ago, the way Charlie floated through rooms. Thereby, she had no choice but to follow her, well, anywhere.

When they stepped off the elevator, Charlie craned her neck and called out, “Got an overserved client for ya, Gray.”

Her RA, who Taryn had only spoken to a couple of times, peered around his open door at the end of the fourth floor. He had messy light brown hair and a tendency to wear a lot of plaid. “You know Gray?” Taryn asked in awe.

“He was a TA for a class I taught last semester. We became friends.”

“Because everyone likes you. Even Gray the RA.” That cracked her up. “Totally rhymes. He’s a lumberjack with all that plaid.”

“Yep, totally drunk,” Gray said, coming into the hallway.

“Ya think?” Taryn called back, feeling more laughter bubble and take off. She honestly couldn’t stop. “I’m sorry. It’s probably not as funny as it seems, Gray the RA.” She would have to call him that for the rest of time. “I’m aware enough to know that I’m a drunk skunk. Don’t hate me.” She placed a hand on her forehead as they watched her. “You know what I’m going to hate? The incoming hangover which is so clearly en route. Whoa. I do not hate the artwork on that girl’s dry-erase board, though.” She squinted. “Wait. It’s porn.” A pause. She turned her head sideways. “Still not bad.”

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