Page 12 of The Lies Always Told

“I don’t kiss and tell…but if I did, I would tell you I felt more from that kiss than I got from many of the men in my bed.”

“Then what the hell, Nells? Call him.”

“I didn’t even know you were talking to Abraham.” I change the topic, because I don’t want to tell her I didn’t get his number. I don’t want to tell her that tonight is the first time he’s texted. I don’t want to sound as pathetic as I feel.

“We text, but I’m dying to have his hands all over me. Nothing happened for me either. He did say he was in town just for tonight, and he wanted to find out if it would be as good as he imagined. He’s leaving the country tomorrow to celebrate his birthday for a few days. How fun is that?”

“Super…” I wait in silence to see if she’ll add anything else. I contemplate telling her about Gus’s message but opt to ignore it altogether. “Okay, I’m going to get dressed.”

“Don’t take too long!” she shouts before returning her attention to her phone. I check mine too and see another message from Gus.

Me:

Probably going to bed.

G:

No getting in trouble tonight?

Me:

Me? Never. I’m a good girl.

G:

You and I both know that’s not true, but both can be right. You can be a good girl and get in trouble, or am I wrong?

I shake my head and smile to myself, ignoring how giddy his text messages made me feel. I set my phone down and give myself ten minutes to get dressed so I can live my college days for one more night.

“Just Nellie,what are you going to do with all that brain inside that head?” Elijah jokes, wrapping his arm around my shoulder after finding me in the only semi-quiet spot in the frat house almost as soon as I walked in.

“Put it to good work helping?—”

“One misunderstood child at a time,” he interrupts and says the exact words I was going to say. Elijah is one of the first friends I made here. I’m sure I looked as lost as I felt walking through the sea of students, looking as fresh as they come but going to the graduate studies building. He asked meif I needed help, but when I showed him my schedule, he couldn’t believe it.

“You look fourteen,” he said, his eyes darting from the schedule to my face. His ringlets bounced over his eyes, so I brushed half of them away from his face.

“And you would look a lot better with the hair out of your face. I can’t do anything about having good genes and looking young, but you’re doing this to yourself.” I snatched the paper from his hands and walked in the opposite direction.

“Wait! We started off on the wrong foot. My name is Elijah, not Eli. Just Elijah. Nice to meet you, Cornelia.” He extended his hand, allowing me time to do the same and shake it. When he noticed my look of concern, he figured it was because he called me by name, a name I didn’t share with him. “It’s on your schedule.”

“It’s just Nellie,Just Elijah.”

“Nice to meet you,Just Nellie. I have to go to class, but we need to hang out so you can tell me the whole story of how you’re going to class in that building.”

Elijah was one of the first people in my life who didn’t treat me any differently because of my age or questioned why I would choose to live on campus when I could have a condo. He treats me the way I’ve always wanted to be treated: normal. He’s also one of the only people who touches me and doesn’t expect me to date or fuck him. His love language is physical touch, so his hands are always on the people he loves. I just happen to be one of them, and it’s much welcomed. I crave touch, and he gives it, even if it’s not sexual.

“Where’s Sam?”

“Oh, you know, being a social butterfly, as usual.” Sam is Elijah’s partner, and it has been my biggest pleasure watching them fall in love. They’re perfect for each other, the true definition of love at first sight. My phone buzzes in my purse a few times, but I ignore it. Nobody should be bothering me right now.

“Nellie who keeps blowing up your phone?” Elijah asks, eyebrow raised, curious to see what’s going on.

“I’m actually not sure.”

“Are you hiding away from reality again?” he asks, referring to the hundreds of times I completely ignored my family calling to check on me. Being the youngest of two and a wild card, as my sister calls me, sometimes makes them feel they need to know where I am at all times. The tight leash they’ve had around my neck for years follows me even when I’m hundreds of miles away. Sometimes, silence is my most powerful tool.

He’s right, though; I am trying to hide, but from who? My sister, after I told her I wouldn’t go out? The guy I slept with two months ago, who won’t take the hint? That’s debatable. “Maybe…” I reply as I get my phone out and check to see who needs to talk to me so badly. Although secretly, I’ve been hoping for it to be Gus, I’m still surprised when I see the thread of messages.

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