Page 1 of Don't Hate Me
1
Princeton
November
Marc
Ash:What are you doing right now?
Me:Trying to sleep, but this annoying chick keeps texting me.
Ash:Is she prettier than I am?
I smiled. She knew exactly who I was talking about. Then I did the math in my head.
Me:It’s like four in the morning there. What are you doing up? Some early morning studying for Curtsy Class?
One of the saddest things I’d ever heard was that someone with Ash’s brain was spending time learning how to curtsy properly. Like she was ever going to meet the fucking Queen of England.
Ash:I get up early because I know this is when you’re getting to bed. Also stop bringing up curtsy class. I’m failing it! These fucking European royals are everywhere and they’re killing it. Right now me and some princess from Dubai are the only ones struggling.
Me:Is she hot?
Ash:Who?
Me:The princess from Dubai. If this whole finance degree doesn’t work out for me, maybe I can marry up.
Ash: …
Ash: …
I laughed. That had clearly pissed her off.
Ash:She’s exceptionally beautiful and you’re an asshole.
Me:Yeah, well, I’m tired. You know how grumpy I get when I’m tired.
Ash:Wait? You mean there are times of the day when you’re NOT grumpy? Please take video and send for confirmation.
Me:I might be an asshole, but you’re a smartass. Are you making friends?
Ash:Trying. But we’re just so different. Other than our mutual love of Jimmy Choo, of course.
I huffed.
Me:And you’re doing everything the doctor says?
She’d had a minor attack last month and the last couple times I’d talked to her, she sounded a little wheezy. The school understood her condition and had a doctor visit to confirm it was a minor event, but I still didn’t like it. She was too far away, too much out of my control. Daily texts and occasional calls mitigated my concern, but they didn’t remove it.
Ash:I shouldn’t have told you. I knew you were only going to worry. I’m fine. The cold air here just hurts my lungs a little more. But I’m fine. The asthma is totally under control.
Me:You tell me everything, Ash. No secrets.
Ash:No secrets.
Me:Okay, let me go. I need to sleep.
Ash:Because your schedule is too full. You can pull back next semester. I can handle Curtsy Class Level II. I’m fine.
