Page 8 of Willing
Chapter 7: Carly
Sitting there listening to my professor’s voice drone on and on, I couldn’t help but daydream about Paul. It was Friday and I couldn’t wait to finish moving into the house. I was so consumed with daydreaming, that I didn’t realize class had ended.
“You ok there?”
It was Dan, he was staring at me from the open classroom door. Gathering my things, I hurried passed him into the hallway.
“Yep – peachy.”
“Hey, come on Carly. Won't you give me a chance? I just want to get to know you. You’re a beautiful girl, and I think we could be great friends.”
Spinning to face him, “Look… I appreciate that, but like I told you, I’m not looking for friends.”
“Please, just coffee?”
I sighed, this guy wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Dan, if I go have coffee with you, will you lay off?”
“YES! Thanks, Carly, you free now?”
“Sure, but let’s go to the student center – they have coffee there. Plus, I have somewhere to be in an hour. OK?”
Grabbing my arm, “Let’s go.”
Shaking free from his hold, we walked side by side. The student center was just two buildings over, so the walk was a short one.
After getting a latte, we sat at an empty table together. Sipping my coffee, I watched him. He was a good-looking guy, but I just didn’t get the cozy warm feeling I got from Paul.
“So – what made you transfer in the middle of your senior year?”
“Family matters, but it’s all good now. Now that I’m back everything will return to normal.”
“Where exactly is your family from?”
Dan shifted uneasily in his chair. The question seemingly making him nervous.
“Flint River area – but I’m the only one left. My parents died a few years back.”
“Oh – I just assumed when you said family matters you had family here. Sorry for assuming.”
“Nah, it’s all good. I am dealing with some land issues regarding my family’s estate. It’ll all work out in the end.”
“Well… tell me, what are you majoring in?”
“Business, with a minor in entertainment.”
That was so close to my degree – if I finished school. I had about a year left, and it was killing me to be here, away from Paul.
“What about you?”
“Business, with a minor in event planning. I want to be a professional party planner. You know… weddings, graduations, stuff like that.”
“Ah… have you done any event planning already?”
“Yeah, I did a huge pack… I mean family reunion,” Dan looked at me quizzically. I’d almost slipped about the wolfen pack, “also, I did my best friends uncle’s wedding – AND I am doing her wedding in… shit three weeks.”
“Wow… sounds like you’ve gotten plenty of practice. When are you done with school?”
I glanced at my phone, realizing we had spent the better part of an hour talking. The uneasy feeling had gone away, making me wonder if I’d just imagined it out of guilt. And feeling guilty was silly since Paul ignored me.
