Tethered (J + P series)

by D. A. Roach

  I had two labs and three lectures so I had my very full backpack on.

  “Yep. Jealous?”

  “Actually, I am. Are you doing crossword puzzles for homework tonight or is it hangman?” I teased.

  She giggled. She knew her homework was so much simpler than mine and she liked to poke at me because of it.

  “Har har har, what's this? What happened to your hands? Oh wait, you must have run out of toilet paper and used your hands to wipe yourself instead.” she joked.

  Eye roll, and so it begins. “Not quite.”

  “Hey Perry, it's spaghetti night! Can't wait. I wonder what the cooks put in that meatloaf surprise last night? It was kinda a weird puky brown color, not unlike the current color of your hands.” Jen said.

  “Maybe the surprise was that the meatloaf would slowly change all of our hands to puky brown...you're next!” I joked. I loved spaghetti night as much as Jen. How could you screw up spaghetti? It was so easy to make that the cooks couldn't mess it up.

  “When are you leaving for Thanksgiving?” I asked.

  “My last class is Tuesday afternoon. My parents are gonna' pick me up before dinner. How about you?”

  “I have to catch a ride with Chuck, you know, the one who grew up near my folks and has all those crazy parties you hear about. I think he said we would leave Wednesday around lunch time.” I said.

  I really enjoyed college life and being on my own, but I could use a change of scenery. I wanted to go home and drive a car again. I hated being cooped up on campus with no car. I wished I had a car here, though I probably wouldn't use it much. Everything I needed was within walking distance. I would have to plan a few errands back home that would require the car.

  Driving meant freedom. At home, I was so used to being watched and critiqued by my parents that I felt smothered. I couldn't get a glass of milk without being asked what I was doing and why. I think I was about ten years old when I realized that I would have freedom when I could drive a car. From that moment, 90% of my dreams were of me driving somewhere, escaping.

  “I'm gonna' drop off my book and then we can go eat.” Jen said.

  I nodded and opened my room. My roommate was there, awake and giggling with her new boyfriend. “Hey Perry, long time no see!” Gabby joked.

  “Yeah, did you come back because you ran out of clean clothes?” I joked back. We both giggled. “We are gonna' grab dinner soon, do you guys want to join us?”

  “Nah, we are gonna' eat at his dorm. I actually did just come back for some clean clothes.” Gabby admitted.

  Now I was really laughing “Ha! I knew it. Well, you guys have fun. See you next week.” I teased (but also kind of meant it).

  Jen had already grabbed Mags; Lauren was at a sorority meeting and would not be joining us. We headed to the dining hall and the smell of garlic bread and spaghetti made us smile. We grabbed our food and found a table in the middle of the room. “God, I am so glad they do this meal right.” Jen said.

  “Is this spot taken?” It was Tim; he was asking to sit next to Mags. “No, go right ahead” she said. It looked like Tim was beginning to make the moves on Mags, proximity is everything.

  Ian sat across from Jen and they began teasing and bantering. You could tell there were no sparks between them, but they enjoyed each other's personalities. I listened to them and felt like I was watching a comedy routine. At one point Jen had ribbed him so well that Ian laughed so hard he spit his milk out. I passed my napkins his way so he could clean up and when I turned around I noticed someone sitting next to me and across from me. It was Jared and Greg. I felt every hair on my body stand up. I suddenly felt so nervous, but I couldn't understand why. He was not my boyfriend, he was just an acquaintance.

  Jared wasn't handsome like a model, but he was attractive, had self confidence, and didn't get all wrapped up in everyone's business. He did his own thing and it wasn't to please anyone. He didn't care if he was popular or not. That personality trait was pretty attractive. But I needed to quit thinking about him like that. I should just focus on being his friend. Anytime I have put effort into a guy, I would usually win them over, but in the end I would lose interest. I didn't want to destroy any relationship that Jared and I would have, even if that meant we just stayed friends. I needed to cool off and switch gears.

  “Hey guys, how did I miss you sneaking up to our table?” I asked.

  “We heard you giggling over here and decided to join you and see what had you cracking up.” said Jared with a smirk.

  “Ian and Jen were teasing each other …” I began but didn't even get a chance to finish before they began throwing food across the table at each other. “Well, you can see for yourself.”

  And we all enjoyed our meals. From that day on we chose to sit with one another if we saw each other in the dining hall, our little gang. And I decided that I would put away any feelings I had for Jared and focus on a friendship with him and Greg. Love would come to me when I least expected it, at least that's what my girlfriends told me.

  Chapter 6

  The rest of the week included me tutoring Sarah in Biology, tests and quizzes, and so much studying that I felt like my eyes would cross if they didn't get a break. As a group, we decided that we wanted to be responsible college kids and not party every weekend. So this weekend we decided to hit the gym and play Wallyball. This game was insane. It was like volleyball and racquetball combined. We had so much fun and all of us got hit by the ball way too many times.

  We returned to the dorm nice and sweaty, ordered some pizza, and hung out in the lower level lounge. We munched on our feast, watched MTV, and told crazy stories about our lives before college. Jared was telling us about this girl he worked at the movie theater with. She apparently was “hot” and he had wanted to date her for some time. She finally said yes and came to his house wearing a dress and sandals. He looked at her and saw her feet were hairy like Hobbit feet. He was so mortified and didn't know what to do. He went on the date but did not pursue her any further. His story had us all laughing and I knew that Jen would be bringing up Hobbit feet in many of her punch lines after tonight.

  I felt brave enough to share a story of my own. “I had crappy luck with dating. My parents had a rule – you can only go to one prom. I decided it should be my senior prom. Freshman year, a senior asked me to prom and I had to say no. Sophomore year, a junior asked me and I had to say no. Junior year a fellow junior asked me and I had to say no. Senior year, no one asked me. NO ONE. All the kids were boyfriend and girlfriend so there were no good guys left. Isn't that crappy? I ended up asking a guy I worked with, who attended a different high school.”

  “So, did he say 'yes'?” Jen asked.

  “No, I went with my brother.” I paused and then smacked her arm, “Of course he did! He started the night off alright but was making moves on me so fast that I lost interest.”

  “Hmm, sounds like you had some bad timing.” added Greg with a sympathetic nudge.

  Jen leaned over and whispered in my ear “See that guy over there? Totally unattainable, right?” I nodded. There was a guy with gorgeous eyes and sandy blond hair standing across the hall from the lounge we were in. “I am going to turn the charm on full blast and see if I can land him. I hear he has a girlfriend back home. Watch.”

  My mouth fell to the floor. There was no way she could win this guy over. He was out of her league, taken, and she used to be Miss Bashful. Plus, she was sweaty and in workout clothes – not all glammed up. This I had to watch. Hopefully he would not laugh in her face or hurt her too badly when he rejected her. Mags hopped next to me and began watching. She was hopeful for Jen but pretty sure she would not succeed. I was hoping for some good dirt to toss back at her the next time she joked with me.

  Jen put her best foot forward and charmed the heck out of the poor guy. She came back with him trailing behind her, HOLDING HER HAND! Unbelievable.

  “Guys, this is Edward. Edward, this is my gang of friends.”

  “Hey how
's it going?” he said.

  “Pretty good. So what year are you Edward?” Mags asked.

  “I'm a sophomore and I'm studying engineering.” So she scored a sophomore who was cute and smart. Amazing. We would have to see if she managed to land him as an exclusive boyfriend.

  “Do you have a girlfriend?” Jen asked him. She was so bold. But I guess, why waste time when that really was what she wanted to know.

  “Yes, back home. We have been dating for 3 years.” he replied. Ooo, swing and a miss for Jen.

  “Isn't that hard, being in a long distance relationship? I mean, do you get to see her much?” I asked. Just then Jared and Greg got up to head to their room for the night. They both waved goodbye to everyone but then came to give me a hug goodnight. I loved the special bond we had formed separate from the gang.

  “See ya'.” Edward told them before turning his attention back at me, “It is hard. I miss her a lot and I don't get to see her enough.” I could swear I saw the corner of Jen's mouth turn up. She was plotting her next move on Edward.

  “That's really too bad.” I remarked.

  Just then, Jen's roommate Tara came in with her boyfriend. “Tara, come here, you have to meet Edward.”

  Tara, still holding her boyfriend's hand, was pulled forward by Jen to have a better look at this new catch that Jen was pursuing. I was sure the two roomies would be up late tonight chatting away about Edward.

  We all said goodnight and Jen invited Edward to come to my radio show which would be airing on Thursday nights. Oh great, so I would have to learn the equipment under watch of a small crowd. Maybe I could tell Jen to keep the conversation flowing so I didn't feel too nervous under the watching eyes. “Cool, I'd love to come for the show. I was thinking about getting a spot at the station too. This will give me a chance to check it out.”

  “Well, keep in mind that it will be my first time running a show solo.” I added.

  “No worries, I'll bring some homework down and just veg. You won't even know I'm there. Nice meeting you all.” he said before saying goodnight to Jen.

  We cleaned up our mess in the lounge and headed for the girl's wing.

  “Nice job, too bad he is taken Jen.” I said.

  “Oh well, that's not going to stop me. His girlfriend isn't here on campus is she?” Jen replied.

  “Jen...”

  “Goodnight Perry, see you in the morning” she said with a wicked grin. Poor Edward and his girlfriend. Jen was planning to pursue him with 100% effort; their relationship stood no chance of weathering the storm known as Jen.

  Chapter 7

  Biology test results were up. I scanned the results posted for my grade. B. I could handle a B. I turned and noticed Sarah was looking for her score. She found it and looked very pleased.

  “How did you do?” I asked.

  “A-, thanks for helping me study. It really helped. What did you get?” she inquired.

  Ugh, she did better than I did. Was I required to share my score? What the heck, why not? “I got a B. Congrats. Umm, see you in class tomorrow.” I smiled and turned to exit before she had a chance to comment on my grade.

  When I returned to my room, I was not expecting to see my roommate there and awake. “Gabby, whatcha' doin'?” I asked.

  “Oh, hey Perry. My grades have not been that great so I am trying to dust these books off and see if I can play catch up.” she replied.

  “Hmm, do you want to go to the library on Friday? We can work hard and then play hard afterward?” I suggested.

  “The library?” she said it like she had never considered it. “I guess.”

  “Great, we'll head off after supper on Friday. It'll be great.” I said.

  The next night was Thursday, my first radio show. The radio station was in a small room on the lower level of the dormitory. It had a sound board with two CD players, tons of CD's (but we could bring in our own as well), a super ratty old couch, and a few desk chairs on wheels. The walls were covered in black and white graffiti. I had a veteran at the station show me the ropes a ½ hr before my time slot. Then he watched and coached for the first ½ hr of my show. I really enjoyed myself. I was playing the bands I liked, hanging with my friends. Edward popped in mid-way through my show and Jen flipped on the charm. I noticed she was touching him a little more this time. Some shoulder taps, gently elbowing him; I would need to take notes to improve my game.

  When I finished the show I thanked the intimate group that joined me in the station for supporting me. “Hey Edward, would you mind escorting me into the guy's wing. I was hoping to see Greg and Jared.”

  “Yeah, come on.” Jen came too; apparently they had planned to hang out with him after the show.

  My week had been so busy that I had no extra time to spend with Greg and Jared and had only seen them at one meal during the week.

  KNOCK, KNOCK. Their door was shut which was not a good sign. I waited a few seconds before knocking again.

  KNOCK KNOCK.

  Nothing.

  Tim popped out of his room and I saw Mags in there with a book on her lap. Secret study session. Maybe things really were blossoming for them.

  “Perry, how are ya'? Are you looking for Greg and Jared?” he asked.

  “Yeah, they don't seem to be home. Do you know where they are?” I asked.

  “I think they went to study with some girls from the first floor named Danielle and Anna. Is everything OK?” Tim asked.

  “Umm, yeah, I guess.” I waved at Mags and thanked Tim for the help.

  I turned to exit the guys’ wing and head back to my room. As I turned the corner I overheard Greg teasing Jared, “you liked that chick with the brown hair, I saw you flirting with her. I think she liked you back.”

  “Who, Danielle? She's OK. The one I really got my eye on is...” I hold my breath, wondering if he will say my name. I should not be eavesdropping. “Anna. She's cute.” Why does this bother me? I promised myself to stop thinking of Jared that way. My hopes dropped. I wanted to get out of this place and head back home for break as soon as possible. Maybe I just needed to get away from campus and clear my head. I couldn't keep Jared in my head this way, it's preventing me from considering other guys and breaking my heart every time I heard him talk about another girl. I wished I could become invisible so I wouldn't have to look at them as I passed by, but since I lack superpowers, I put on my best game face. “Hey guys.” I said and looked down quickly and tried to step past them.

  Jared reached out and grabbed my arm. “Hey, what are ya' doin' down here?”

  Oh no, I needed a cover. The last thing I wanted was for Jared to think I came down here for him. “Umm, I was looking for Mags. See ya'” and I tried to pull away to escape to the girls’ side of the dorm, but he was still holding my arm. He had a firm grip, not tight, but definitely letting me know he wasn't done talking to me.

  “Hey, what's the rush? Why don't you come to our room to hang out for a bit?” he asked.

  Greg looked at us awkwardly, like he was interrupting a private moment between us, and quietly retreated to their room. This was awkward alright. I needed Jared to unhand me, and let me get on with my life without him for awhile. Why was he holding my arm still? This was the longest physical contact we had ever had with each other. I had to leave before my brain would spin out of control. “Thanks, but I have to pack.” I turned to leave but did not feel him release. I looked back at his hand around my arm and then up to his face.

  He looked genuinely concerned. I needed to go; this was beginning to hurt my heart. “Are you OK? Perry, you look like something's wrong...what is it?”

  “I'm fine, just tired, sorry but I need to go.” and he reluctantly opened his fingers and released me. I looked back one more time before I turned the corner. He was still watching me and still looking concerned. He was right to be concerned, I just couldn't share with him that my upset appearance was because I had feelings for him and he only saw me as a friend.

  We wrapped up classes that week and
prepared for Thanksgiving Break. Gabby kept her word and studied with me that Friday. I wondered if she had enough time to pull up her failing grades before the semester ended. I did my best to eat at unusual times to avoid Jared and Greg. After break I could try and be around them again. But for my heart's sake, I needed to lay low. I said goodbye to the girls and Tim and Ian and grabbed my bag to join Chuck on the three hour car ride home. Chuck was a very popular senior. I am not sure how he became so famous on a campus of so many people, but you would hear people say “Chuck....yeah, I know Chuck, doesn't everyone?” I guess I should have felt honored to be riding home with him, but I didn't. I just saw him as a friend of the family and a ride home. Thankfully he played good music so the ride went quick.

  It was good to be home. The holidays would dominate most of the break, but that was fine by me. Too much time with my parents led to many arguments between us. When my brother lived here, we would share the negative attention. But as soon as he finished college, he took off and vowed to never come back. Tonight we had just a few hours alone with each other; surely we could make it till bedtime without any drama. I opened the garage door and headed into the house.