The Beautiful People by E. J. Fechenda

relationships.
                “I learned
that I need to stay true to myself.” Chelsea lowered her eyes when she stated
this as if hiding the pain they revealed.
                “True,” I
recalled how Chelsea had been consumed in her recent relationship with Chad and
how she lost touch with her friends, including me. All of her time was devoted
to Chad’s needs and she lost sight of her own. “That’s very good advice.”
    We both stared off and
were lost in our thoughts until Chelsea saw the clock on the cable box and
yelled, “Holy Shit, we’re late for class!” It was a mad scramble as I ran to
change my clothes and grab my backpack, there wasn’t enough time for me to worry
that I smelled like sex. Chelsea and I ran up Pine St. to campus, avoiding the
icy patches and frost heaves on the uneven brick sidewalks.
     

Chapter 9
    The euphoria that kept
exhaustion at bay wore off early in the afternoon. I struggled through the rest
of my classes and slumped back to the apartment, picking up a turkey hoagie
from Wawa along the way. Dominic hadn’t called my cell yet, so I had no idea
what he was planning for tonight. How could he top last night? I struggled to
get through some assignments, but kept dozing off. I gave up and crawled into
bed for a nap. My bladder woke me and I stumbled to the bathroom. Chelsea was
in the living room watching TV. She looked up at me when I walked in.
                “You seem
rested.”
                “Ugh,” I
grunted and yawned. “What time is it?”
                “It’s
almost eleven.”
                “Eleven!” I
was awake now. I turned around and ran back into my room to fetch my cell
phone. There was a voice mail, but it was from my mom. There were a couple text
messages from friends, but nothing from Dominic. I sat down on the edge of the
bed as disappointment and doubt squeezed my heart like a vice.  Did he just
want to sleep with me and that’s it? Was I wrong in thinking he liked me too? I
rolled over in a fetal position, replaying every moment, every word that we
shared. Did I set myself up for rejection? I groaned as I closed my eyes and
tried to clear the negativity that clouded my thoughts.
                “What’s
wrong?” Chelsea asked as she stood in my bedroom doorway.
                “He didn’t
call. He was supposed to and we were going to go out tonight.” My voice was
strained with tears ready to be spilled.
                “He’ll
call,” Chelsea reassured me and sat down next to me.
                “I knew I
wasn’t ready for this. I have no idea what to do…am I acting crazy?”
                “Not at
all. You’re acting like a normal girl who has fallen for a boy.”
                “I am? What
if he never calls?”
                “Nat, you
need to relax. He will call. He would be a fool not to.” She rubbed my back as
she said this.
                “I hope he does.
You’re right, I didn’t want to admit it, but I really do like him.”
    Chelsea stayed by my side
until sleep claimed me at some point and I woke as the sun peeked through my
blinds. This morning I’d be watching the sunrise alone. I sighed and hugged a pillow
to my chest. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table - still no messages from
Dominic. I debated whether I should call him, but didn’t want to appear
desperate or hear his rejection. Since I was up early, I dressed for the early
morning chill and went for a run. By the time I reached Rittenhouse Square I
had broken into a sweat. The run helped to clear my head and the long, hot
shower afterwards washed Dominic’s scent off of me and quieted my nerves. I
wouldn’t let it get to me. If he called, he called and if he didn’t, that was his
loss. My guard was back up and I chastised myself for letting it down in the
first place.
    I flicked on the TV on
my way into the kitchen