Page 32 of Powerless

“Nope, I’m not going. If I don’t get a head start on these, then I’m going to fall behind, and I don’t want to do that. Besides, there’s this other thing called underaged.” I exhale a large breath and lean back against the wall. Closing my eyes I rub them to relieve the strain.

“Girl, there’s so much more to life than keeping up with lectures and papers.”

I open my eyes and offer Faith a small smile. “You go, because I wouldn’t be very good company anyway. I’m feeling sorry for myself.”

Faith pushes up off the bed and snorts and stares at me. “Clearly.” She makes a circular movement with her hand. “You need to have more fun in your life. Meet a guy, or a girl.” She lifts one shoulder and smiles. “Or a guy and a girl and have lots of fun with them.”

“How about I live vicariously through you?”

Faith lifts her chin with confidence. “Maybe.” She walks over to her side of the room and grabs her duffel bag from the end of her bed. “It’s our first Friday night here, you should live a little. Are you sure you don’t want to come out with me tonight?”

“Nah. I’m okay.” Besides it’s my birthday, and I’m feeling even more emotional and miserable considering Bennett can’t be with me. “Go and have fun, and tell me all the juicy details.”

Faith keeps throwing things in her duffel. “The thing is, I won’t be back until Sunday.”

“You already had plans?” I’m confused.

She snickers and shakes her head. “Hell no. I’m going to a bar tonight and there’s a party tomorrow night. I will be hooking up this weekend. And I will pick someone up, and I will get laid.”

I smile at her easy nature. I like how carefree and assertive she is. “Do me one favor,” I start. Faith stops packing, waiting for the favor. “Be safe. If you need anything, text or call me.”

“You sound like my mother.”

“I just want you to be safe.”

She rustles around in her duffel, and produces a strip of condoms. “And for extra measure.” Faith digs through her bag again and grabs a pack of something, then throws it to me. “The morning after pill for when I’m done with the men.”

The men? As in more than one. Go Faith. “I’m impressed.” I throw the packet back and Faith catches it and drops it in her bag. “I have to say, I think you’d be so much fun to go out with.”

“Then come with me.”

I look at the laptop, then back to her, considering her invitation for a hot minute. “Nah, I have too much work to do.”

“Well, if you change your mind, call me and I’ll wait for you.” She finishes packing her bag and heaves it up from the bed. “Well, have fun being a nerd.” She points to the laptop. “You don’t get laid being a nerd.”

“That’s not true.” I smile from behind my laptop.

Faith picks her bag up with a grunt, and heads over to the door. “If you change your mind, call me and I’ll meet you somewhere.”

“Have fun,” I say to her retreating back.

“Oh, trust me, I will.” Faith closes the door, and I spend a few seconds smiling before I return my attention to school work.

* * *

I lay on my stomach on my bed as I talk to Mom. She’s already sung me happy birthday and told me she sent my present late so I should be getting it on Monday. “How are you settling in?”

“I miss home,” I honestly admit. “But, I’m lucky because Faith is awesome.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s gone out.”

“Why didn’t you go with her and celebrate your birthday?”

“I have two papers due in two weeks. I want to make a start on them so I’m not panicking at the last minute.”

“Are you enjoying classes?”

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