Chapter Eight: Lost in the chaos

How did I get myself into this? Abby reflected as she stood outside her dorm in a crimson evening gown. Why did I agree to go with him?

In the distance she saw him approaching. A perfect silhouette in the moonlight. As he got closer and she noticed his “dashing” looks, she couldn’t help but smile. So many other girls would go crazy over him, but Abby could really care less.

I must be getting desperate, she reflected, rolling her eyes slightly. Now lets just see if I can pull this off.

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Abby walked groggily up the flight of stairs to her dorm room. Passing out and being brought to the nurses office had turned out to be a larger deal than usual. Mrs. Genest required Abby to explain everything that happened, and naturally she didn’t want to say anything. But she just wanted to get out of there and go back to her room, so she said all she could and was released quickly.

Reaching the last step, Abby stumbled down the hallway to her dorm room. She fumbled around in her school bag trying to find her keys, and while doing this, she used the wall to keep her vertical.

“Finally…” She murmured releasing a sigh as she pulled out her keys and unlocked her room. In seconds she had entered the room, shut the door, and landed on the couch. Seconds passed before her thoughts began to wander again.

What am I going to do about Travis? She reflected, her headache intensifying with each passing moment. I can’t show up without a date… That would make him feel worse…

The sound of someone inserting their key into a door distracted Abby. She knew who it had to be and was not ready to be instantly happy when Alex enters the room. Still, she sat up and put on another one of those fake smiles. Then she turned on the television and pretended to be interested in whatever she was watching.

The door swung open and sure enough, Alex was in the doorway with her suitcase in one hand, and what looked like a dress bag draped over the opposite arm. “I’m home my amazing roommate!” She exclaimed, brought her things into the bedroom and then plopped next to Abby on the couch. “So what are we watching?”

“Um, I think it’s some animal documentary thing…” Abby struggled to get out, and then turned off the television. “I wasn’t really paying all that much attention to the show.”

“I’m so happy to be back!” Alex sang and then hugged her roommate.

Startled by this move, Abby pulled away from the embrace. “I think you spent too much time with a baby while you were gone.” She chuckled, trying to keep her smile “real.”

Alex grinned. “She is so precious. She was tiny and cute and adorable!” Her face lit up with glee. “Babies make everything better. I wish you could’ve seen her.”

“Yeah, me too…” She responded as her smile faded. “Well I’m glad you had a good time. I have to head over to the library…” She stood up and headed for the door. Then realizing that she hadn’t given a reason to why she was going to the library, she quickly added, “I promised Travis I would meet him there in a few minutes.”

“Do you want me to come with y – ”

“No!” Abby responded quickly, cutting off her roommate. “No, it’s okay really. I’ll only be gone for a little while…” She tried to calm herself down, so that she didn’t appear panicked or distressed in front of her roommate.

Alex sighed and then stood up as well. She walked over to Abby and then once again embraced her in a hug. “If you need to talk, I’m here to listen.” She said simply and then released her seemingly upset roommate.

“Thanks, but I’m okay.” Abby stated and then left the dorm room.

Alex sighed and sat on the couch. She turned on the television to find the channel set to TNT. It was an episode of Law and Order SVU. “You always say you’re okay Abigail…” She murmured. “But I never believe you…”

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Where do I go know? Abby thought as she wandered around. I’m avoiding Travis and Alex now, some friend I am…

“Hey Abigail,” someone beckoned from behind her. It was a male voice that she couldn’t quite indentify. “Wait up!”

She stopped walking and then turned around to see Jake approaching. If I remember correctly, he’s the one who I ran into and then passed out. God can this day get any worse, she thought shaking her head.

“Are you feeling better?” He asked, deciding to begin the conversation with the obvious. “Should you still be resting?”

“I’m fine,” Abby responded, as pleasantly as one could when saying those words. “Sorry about earlier…. You know the whole passing out thing.” She added.

He let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I was the thing that got in the way of your sprint.”

Looking around slightly, Abby felt more and more uncomfortable just standing out in the open next to him. It’s not because he was a bad person or anything, he just seemed to be invading her space. Without even realizing it she took a step backwards. Not wanting to add one more person to her avoidance list though, she stayed standing there despite the growing desire to run away.

“Can I ask you something?” Jake asked, breaking through the clouded thoughts Abby was experiencing. “And I don’t mean to be overly forward, but it’s, well I’m wondering if you would be willing to accompany be to the valentine’s dance.”

Now she wished that she had run away. Twice in one day…. She sighed to herself. I can’t keep running from this until the dance is over… Would it be so bad if I…

“That was too forward of me wasn’t it.” Jake sheepishly grinned. “I’m sor –”

“Yes.” She interrupted before he completed his apology. Noticing the confusion on his face she didn’t to be more specific in her response. “I’ll go with you to the dance.”

“Uh, really… Cool!” He responded awkwardly. “So I’ll pick you up at quarter to eight at your dorm tonight?”

“Yes that should work out well.” She responded trying her hardest to keep a smile on her face. This is for your own good. You need to forget about her, she wouldn’t accept you anyways.

“Well, I need to get to practice,” his voice called, bringing Abby’s thoughts back to matters at hand. “There’s a swim meet coming up and if I’m not at practice on time… Let’s just say I’ll be swimming a few extra laps!” He smirked and then jogged off.

“Oh, okay,” was all that she could mutter out in response as his figure departed.

Feeling awkward and out of place standing in the open, she began heading back to her dorm room. But before she returned, she stopped at the library and checked out a random book about psychology. This way Alex wouldn’t suspect anything about her library fib.

Tonight will certainly be interesting… she reflected as she opened the door to her room with a sigh.

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