Page 7 of Lodged

Her face softens, and I release a breath, knowing she’s relaxed a bit.

“You are so kind, Gio. But I have to be honest, I really didn’t want anyone to see me like this.” Her voice breaks on the last words, and she covers her face with her hands as she sits down again. I settle beside her, patiently waiting for her to calm down again so we can talk.

It hurts me to see her so distraught. “I understand if you want to be alone, but if there’s anything I can do to help you—even if it’s just listening—I’d be happy to,” I tell her sincerely. I always care about my students, and for some reason, she’s special to me.

“If you really don’t have anything else to do than listen, then yes, please. I’d love to vent.” I smile brightly at her, but my stomach decides to remind me how hungry I am at that exact moment. Heat rises in my chest. I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed in my life about my physiological needs.

“Oh, that’s right. You were on your way to get something to eat.” I’m about to tell her I can wait when she continues, “If you don’t mind you can eat one of my granola bars. I really don’t want to run into anyone I know right now.” She gives me a tentative smile, and my grin widens.

“I’d love that granola bar,” I tell her, and she reaches for her backpack. Our hands touch as she passes it to me, sending a shotof electricity shoots down my spine, and raising goose bumps all over my body.

“So,” she begins as she readjusts her hair behind her ears. “It’s a long story, but I started school at a community college near my hometown. I was finally able to transfer to Wolfe this year, and although I’m loving the experience of being in a full four-year research university, I miss my family terribly.” Ruin lowers her gaze at her admittance.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with missing your family. I miss my siblings more than words can say, and they’re not just a drive away,” I admit with a shrug as I take a bite of the granola bar, which is surprisingly delicious.

“Oh, where are you from?” she asks, her face transforming with curiosity.

“I’m from Argentina. I moved here four years ago.” Her eyes widen, and I chuckle.

“South America?” she asks, and I nod with a smile. “But that’s so far away,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It is. But I really wanted to come and study here.” I smile remembering the day I got the acceptance letter. It was a cold, dark winter day, but as if the sky were playing matchmaker, a ray of sunlight blasted through the clouds just as I opened that letter. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

“And here I am complaining to you. I’m sorry, Gio.” Her eyes zero in on the ground, the realization of her self-perceived dramatics evident.

“Hey,” I reply gently, hoping she’ll look at me. When those green eyes meet mine, I’m mesmerized. They’re clearer for some reason. I need to find a precious stone of that exact same color so that I can categorize them. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

“Anyway, tell me about you. I’m guessing you’re really close to your family?” She nods. “And what’s the issue? Do you have things to do this weekend that are keeping you from going for avisit?” I press further, wanting to know if there’s anything I can do to help.

“Well, that’s the thing. I was going to leave today after my last class. I even had everything packed, but then my car wouldn’t start.” Her eyes fill with tears again, and it takes everything in me not to hug her and tell her everything is going to be okay. That’s probably the most inappropriate thought I have ever had with a student.Get a grip, Gio.

“My place isn’t too far. We can grab my car, and I can give yours a jump start.” She shakes her head, and I’m really confused as to why she’s not accepting my help.

“No, Gio. My car is beyond repair. I bought it right before I moved here. I knew it was used and well-loved, but it seemed to be in good enough shape to go back and forth a couple of times per month. But today. when I went to start it, it just…poof.” Ruin makes an explosion sound, and my eyebrows shoot up.

“It would be a little funny, if I wasn’t this sad.” She chuckles at the memory. “I turned the key, and the car shook a little. Like rattling. I panicked, so I pressed the brake harder, but then smoke started coming out of the hood, and all I could think was that my car was going to burn my apartment building down.” I know this isn’t funny, and even though right now we seem like we are just two friends chatting away, I’m her instructor. I cover my mouth with my hand and clench my jaw to keep from laughing. I would have been freaking the hell out, too.

“So I got out of the car as fast as I could, then I ran to one of the emergency posts.” She pauses and looks at me, making sure I know what she's talking about. I nod so she can continue her story—I know those posts. They are all around campus, and they are connected to campus police, so in case of an emergency, you simply press the blue button instead of calling 911.

“All I could think of saying was, ‘Smoke is coming out of my car! Please help.’ By the time the firefighters arrived, there werea lot of onlookers, and I was beyond mortified watching the fire department soak my little car down.” My protective instincts kick in, and I give Ruin a one-arm hug. She immediately closes the distance between us and rests her head on my chest.

“I felt so embarrassed. There I was, a twenty-four-year-old woman, fresh out of the mountains, trying to make it in the big city—but no. Fate had other plans for me.” She sniffles, and I press her harder against me. I shouldn’t be so aware of how well she fits with me, but her body is molded to mine. And it feels nice to have her this close.

“I know it was not a stellar moment, but there’s really nothing to feel embarrassed about. It could have happened to anyone. And if someone dares to judge you for that, it says more about them than it says about you,” I tell her, determined to put a smile on her face. She lifts her face from my chest, ever so slowly. Her hair is a little messy, but she gives me a shining smile. At that moment, I don’t think—I simply speak.

“I’ll tell you what. Let’s go to my place, and I’ll lend you my car for the weekend. I don’t need it anyway. And I think it’d be really good for you to see your family.” I don’t tell her that it’s not my only car—but that’s irrelevant at the moment.

“What? I could never accept that,” she says, sitting a little taller. I like her tenacity. She’s not one to take things for free. And there are so many more things I want to ask her—I want to know everything about her. But right now, I know seeing her family will do her a lot of good.

“Why not? I’m offering to help you just like I would any of my students. I know you’re going to see your family. You’re not going to use my car in illegal races. Right?” I say with a smile, and she chuckles. Damn, it makes me feel incredible knowing I put that smile on her face. The moment I catch up with my thoughts, I frown.What the fuck is wrong with me?

“If you’re sure,” she says hesitantly.

“I’m positive.” I stand up and offer her my hand to help her up. She grabs her backpack and then accepts my hand.

“You know, I came to this place because I love the flowers. Not really thinking that the roses only bloom in the spring. But for some reason, this place always brings me peace,” she shares as we make our way up the stairs.

“Funny you should mention that. It has the same effect on me, too. It’s actually one of the reasons I got my place nearby.” I like the fact that we have things in common, and it’s not lost on me that she mentioned she’s twenty-four. She’s more mature than the average college student. No wonder I’ve been drawn to her since the moment I first saw her.

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