Page 25 of Easy Out

I should tell her to leave. Unfortunately. I don’t trust my voice. Years of speech therapy didn’t undo the trauma of being bullied as a child. I don’t think it would bother me now to be teased, but I’m not willing to find out.

I’ve got to do something. I don’t want Lauren to get the wrong idea, or maybe I should let her think I’m talking to this girl. It might help me cut ties with this hold she seems to have on me.

I’m about to say something when another bag drops on the table. The girl beside me scooches her chair closer to me as Lauren takes a seat across from us.

“Can we help you?” The blonde beside me asks. I tense. Lauren flicks her gaze from me to her. Her eyebrow starts twitching. What’s going on in your head, brujita?

“You should probably leave. We are in the middle of something, and you are interrupting,“ she says to Lauren while attempting to touch me again. Lauren’s eyes narrow to slits.

“Vamos,” I bark louder than I should in a library. I’ve had enough. I stand from my chair and throw my bag over my shoulder. “Let’s go.” The girl stands with me.

“Good idea,” she sneers at Lauren.

Lauren’s jaw drops open. She snaps it shut when her shock bleeds over to anger. She’s under the impression I’m leaving with blondie. Like that would ever happen.

I carefully maneuver myself around the girl to stand in front of Lauren. I grab her bag and then hold my hand out to her. “Ven conmigo, brujita.“ Lauren’s eyebrow twitches again, then she takes my hand. I fight the urge to thread our fingers together as I lead her up a flight of stairs to the third level of the library.

It’s darker up here. There are several tables in the middle of the room with fancy banker lamps on each of them. I drag Lauren past the tables and rows of bookshelves.

I have no idea where I’m going. We could have easily sat at one of the tables we just passed, but damn it, I like the way Lauren’s hand feels in mine. I know once we are settled, she isn’t going to let me touch her like this again.

There are four large tables on this side of the floor as well. I guide us to the table in the very back and pull out a seat for Lauren to sit down. It comes across as chivalrous, but really, it’s me controlling where she sits. After being accosted by blondie, I want Lauren beside me. I need her beside me.

Lauren is quiet. I place her backpack in front of her as I take my seat in the chair closest to her. Discreetly I inhale Lauren’s coconut and citrus scent. Instantly I feel more relaxed and less irritated over the whole situation.

“Sorry for interrupting,” Lauren mumbles. “I didn’t think.” She shakes her head and lets out a breath to collect her thoughts. “I didn’t know you were meeting up with someone before me. When you texted that you were early, I decided to just come on over. Again, I’m really sorry.”

Lauren is apologizing because some clinger was sitting next to me. That sends a bout of rage coursing through my system. Lauren saved me from her if she did anything.

“Don’t,” I clip. Lauren flinches at my tone. “Don’t apologize,” I say softer this time.

“Okay, sorry.”

“Brujita,“ I growl.

“Right.” She winces. “Should we get started? We’re wasting time.” Lauren opens her bag to get her notebook and pen. “So, how do you want to do this?” Lauren flips open her notebook. I do the same. “I was thinking we could create a questionnaire for each other to answer on our own. As long as it’s completed with plenty of time to write up the story and ask any follow-up questions. I think-”

“No.” Her head jerks in my direction.

“No?” She questions.

“No.” I know what she’s thinking, but I won’t skimp on this assignment. I can figure out how to talk to Lauren without having an anxiety attack. I managed to say a few words to her before. I can make this work without resorting to a questionnaire.

“What’s that?” I tap her notes with my pencil. Forcing her to shelf the discussion for now.

“Oh, it’s, uh, just some ideas I had.” I hold out my hand, silently asking her to let me read what she wrote down. Lauren sighs. Then slides the notebook in my direction. “Obviously, finding a scandal with the athletic department is out.” Why was it ever in?

“You’re friends with athletes.”

“I’m friends with Nash. One athlete.” I hold back a scoff. One should be enough to not look for trouble. “And if it’s a good story….” Lauren raises her shoulder, brushing off the fact that she is willing to sell me and my friends up the river for what? A good grade?

“Right.” I aggressively cross that idea off the list. “Explain,” I demand, tapping my pencil on the word library. Lauren’s cheeks turn pink, and she drags a hand down her ponytail.

“Why did I write that down? This is so embarrassing,” Lauren mumbles to herself while her eyes focus on her lap.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the library over the years. Sydney and I had a really small dorm room. I felt claustrophobic. Anyway, I noticed that people don’t actually come to the library to study.” I bob my head and encourage her to continue. I’m still waiting to hear her pitch.

“Sure, they come and check out books, but they also check out each other. I’ve seen students on multiple occasions sneak off with each other to do God knows what. Do you know how many dark, secluded places there are here?” I shake my head.

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