Fall from Love

weekend. I miss Josh and Carter’s place.”
    I laugh. “Um, that’s what we usually do at their house.”
    “Yeah, but I can’t make out with you.” She smiles.
    “True.” I laugh again. “Have you, uh, heard from them?” My heart stops as I wait for her answer.
    She shakes her head and then takes a sip of her OJ. “No, I’m sure they’ll be home later tonight, though.”
    I want to ask her if it bothers her when Josh goes up to the mountain, but I don’t. I know it’s a stupid question.
    “Okay, so no more being couch potatoes. Let’s get out and do something today. I’m in desperate need for some new lingerie. What do you say?” I hear her stop talking, but I guess my mind is too preoccupied worrying about Carter and Josh. “Hello, earth to Holly.” She’s standing in front of me now.
    “Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, glancing up at her.
    “Lingerie shopping. Today. You and me.”
    “Sorry, I can’t. I’m going to the library with Becca. We’ve got a test in Dr. Langford’s class and I need to study. My grade depends on acing the test tomorrow morning.”
    “Well, that’s boring.” She sighs and falls down to the couch beside me. “I’m just hoping the guys get back early enough tonight so I can see Josh. I think I’m going through withdrawals. I want to find something really hot and fun for him.” With that thought, she springs up off the couch. “I guess I better get to shopping just in case he shows up later.” She stops halfway down the hall. “Hey, is it okay with you if he comes over here tonight?”
    “Sure, no problem.” Note to self: stay at the library as long as possible.
     
    ❧
     
    It’s getting close to ten p.m. and my eyes burn from looking over my notes, as well as reading through my textbook for the past few hours.
    “I think we should call it a night,” Becca says, yawning.
    “I’ll second that,” I agree, slamming my textbook shut and gathering up the scattered notes on the table in front of me. I shuffle them into a neat stack and shove them in the front pocket of my binder.
    “I really hope that this test isn’t as hellish as I think it’s going to be,” Becca says, pulling her backpack to her lap and zipping it.
    “Stop worrying. You’ll be fine. You know this stuff better than me,” I tell her and then my phone vibrates on the table in front of me.
    Carter: We r back. What r u up to?
    Me: Studying at the library.
    Carter: WARNING: Josh is headed over to ur place to “watch a movie.”
    I smile and a soft chuckle escapes me.
    “Who’s the lucky guy that’s got you smiling like that?” Becca asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
    “Just a friend,” I tell her.
    “Would this friend happen to be that hotty that walked you to class the other day?”
    My face starts to burn and I know that, without a doubt, my cheeks are cherry red. “Yes, his name is Carter, but we’re just friends.”
    “Friends? That sucks. If it were me, I wouldn’t let a dreamy guy like that get away.”
    Throwing my backpack over my shoulder, we exit through the main doors and the icy air hits me hard. I reach down and zip up my jacket then cross my arms over my chest to ward off the cold. When Becca and I reach the bottom of the library steps my phone chimes again.
    “I’ll see you in class tomorrow, okay?” I say, pulling out my phone.
    “Yeah, see ya,” she says, her teeth chattering as she turns to walk away. When she’s gone, I glance down and read my message.
    Carter: Would you like me to put u out of ur misery?
    Me: Um, that sounds a little scary.
    Carter: Come watch a movie with me. Maybe we can actually finish one this time.
    Me: Only if I get to choose.
    Carter: No chick flicks allowed.
    Me: Fine. No chick flicks, but still my choice.
    Carter: Deal.
    Me: C U soon. :)
    When I pull up to the house, my stomach is a mushy mess and I find myself rushing to pull the keys out of the ignition so I can see him quicker. When I get up to the door, I don’t even have to knock. Carter pulls the door open and he’s standing there with a large smile on his face. “Hey you.”
    “Hey,” I say, returning his smile. As I walk past him into the house, I can feel the warmth of him. The past few days I’ve had an overwhelming need to be close to him, wanting to see him, wanting to be sure he’s okay... and, now that he is here, I have to force myself not to touch him, not to hug him, and the strangest thought I’m fighting is the desire to kiss him.