Page 13 of Still Here Without You

I’m pushing through a crowd between two buildings when a hand grips my shoulder and pulls me to a stop. Before I can process it, I’m spun around and another hand lands on my waist. “Delilah, stop!”

Joel sounds breathless, like he’s been running to catch me. But that can’t be right. I wasn’t moving that quickly.

“Didn’t you hear me calling your name?”

Huh?“You were calling to me?”

“Yes! I’ve been yelling your name from the moment I stepped out of the library. Now more than ever, I need to know what’s going on, because if you couldn’t hear me, that head of yours must be swarming with something, and I’ve got a feeling it’s not good.”

I try not to focus on the feel of his touch, but that’s a losing battle. His fingertips press into my skin, and it takes everything in my power to form the words to respond.

“It’s nothing to worry about. Honestly, I was just thinking about the final and obviously didn’t hear you and—”

“Okay. I get it,” Joel interrupts, giving my waist a squeeze before releasing it and stepping back. “I’ve given you no reason to want to confide in me. I’m sorry. But please talk to someone about whatever has you worried. This should be a happy moment. You deserve it.”

I stare at him in shock as my heart races. “Thank you. I will,” I lie.

Joel studies me for a moment and then nods. “Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

He doesn’t leave though. Instead, he stares at me curiously, waiting for something maybe? I’m about to ask what when he shakes his head and then turns before walking away, leaving me thoroughly confused. A little part of me wishes we’d never moved past our playful banter, and another small piece of me is desperate to experience more of whatever this new relationship is.

Chapter Five

Delilah

Laterthatweekmybest friend, Rachel, lies back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. “And you’re sure the she-devil is away for the night?” she asks for the second time.

“Yes,” I say with a laugh, furiously typing away on my laptop until I finally reach the end. “Done! God, that’s a relief.”

“Well done. So, can I turn on the movie?” Rachel waves her laptop around with an impatient look on her face.

“As long as it’s not another horror movie. I’m here by myself tonight. I’d rather the she-devil was here than to be alone after watching one of your scare fests.”

Rachel pouts but there’s a hint of a smile. “Aw, I can stay.”

“Just pick something else.”

Laughing as she sets about choosing a movie, Rachel hums to herself and then cheers when she finds something she likes. Rachel and I met when we both joined the cheer team in our freshman year of high school. We hit it off instantly. She’s always been the more popular of the two of us with her ash-brown hair, stunning grey eyes, and huge breasts. It’s possibly the latter that gains the most attention. Either way, it’s always there. Attention follows her wherever she goes. We should be rooming together, but we had the brilliant idea of separating in freshman year to meet new people and then Rachel decided to move back home, hating the dorm life. Other than my roomie, I actually like the independence, so here I am.

I laugh at her happiness as my phone dings with a text, drawing our attention. Then it’s on to see who can reach it first, like I’m hiding some big secret.

“Hey! What gives?” I ask when she pulls the phone from my hand.

Ignoring me, her eyes scan the screen before she looks up in sadness. “Who’s Joelle? Are you replacing me as best friend?”

I can’t help but giggle at her pout. “You’ll always be my bestie. I’ve put up with a lot of your crap over the years. If I was going to ditch you, I would have done it by now.”

Rachel’s lips pucker to the side as she considers my response and then she nods. “Yeah, you’re right. ThatandI’m irreplaceable. But seriously, who is she?”

I bark out a laugh and consider playing along for a while until another text comes through.

“Oh, I’m an idiot,” Rach says, face-palming. “It’s your tutor. Is that seriously how he spells his name?”

“No, oh God. I have a funny and slightly embarrassing story about that…”

I proceed to tell her the story of how Joel and I met, and it’s not until I’ve finished that I get to actually read his texts.

Joelle: It’s going to be nice weather tomorrow. Can we meet outside?

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