The Circle of Friends
Book II…Sarah
L. Diane Wolfe
Winner of FlamingNet’s TOP CHOICE Award!
"Sarah: Circle of Friends Book II is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and moving books I have ever read. Wolfe has written the impossible: a story of real people facing life’s real issues and she does this with style, grace and aplomb. Anyone who has suffered from poor self-image and low self esteem needs to read this book. It will not only restore your faith in yourself but your faith in others."
- Jamieson Wolf, The Book Pedler Reviews
“I can’t wait to read the other books in the series.”
- Debbie’s World of Books
“Wolfe presents a realistic tale of the complex world of teenage angst… An enjoyable, well-crafted read, The Circle Of Friends, Book II will enlighten many a reader to the joys and pains of contemporary youth. A recommended, rewarding literary treat.”
- Linda Waterson Apex Reviews
Other titles by L. Diane Wolfe
Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS SERIES
Book I … Lori
Book II … Sarah
Book III … James
Book IV … Mike
Book V … Heather
Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!
The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting
The Circle of Friends
Book II…Sarah
L. Diane Wolfe
DANCING LEMUR PRESS, L.L.C.
Fremont, North Carolina
www.dancinglemurpress.com
Copyright 2009 by L. Diane Wolfe
Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, North Carolina, 27863-0383
Print version: ISBN: 978-0-9816210-1-2 / 0-9816210-1-5
Published by Smashwords
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system in any form – either mechanically, electronically, photocopy, recording, or other – except for short quotations in printed reviews, without the permission of the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This Ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This Ebook may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with others, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then visit Smashwords.com to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
Cover design by C.R.W.
Back cover photo by Vance Allen
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data
Wolfe, L. Diane.
The Circle of Friends : Book II … Sarah / L. Diane Wolfe.
p. cm.
Series: The Circle of Friends
ISBN 978-0-9816210-1-2
[1. Love—Fiction. 2. Friendship—Fiction. 3. Self-esteem—Fiction. 4. Women—Family relationships—Fiction. 5. College students—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.W81945 Cir 2009
[Fic]—dc22 2008910305
For my cousin, Chris, and all those whose brave acts of heroism and words of encouragement make a difference in the lives of those around them.
I
An Enlightening Encounter
Sarah walked briskly along the sidewalk, desiring to escape the heat almost as much as she wanted to be on time for her next class. The sun now warmed the Georgia air to near summer temperatures. The real culprit was the humidity that accompanied the heat, which could turn a pleasant eighty degrees into an unbearable ninety-five by late afternoon. Today was definitely one of those days.
She’d done well her first year at Georgia Tech. If Sarah possessed a gift, then it definitely fell in the area of memorization and intelligence. She was certainly smart when it came to school. In other areas, she occasionally forgot to use the brain God had given her. Never one for tact, Sarah tended to speak without thinking, saying the first words that popped into her head. This had gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion.
Picking up her pace, Sarah brushed past several students and bounded into the main building. Running into class just as the bell sounded, she slid into the empty seat next to her friend, Sean. He smiled at her, the grin on his face half hidden by his long, brown hair.
“Your timing is perfect, man,” he said in a low voice.
Sarah took a deep breath and let her shoulders slump. “Yeah, lucky me!” she said, pulling out her notes.
The professor began to speak and Sarah sat at attention, focused on the task before her. Sean followed suit, although he seemed more interested in her than today’s lesson.
Sarah liked Sean, but only as a friend. He was deep into horror and punk music and never appeared in public without his black trench coat. Dark and brooding, Sean had a rebellious streak in him a mile wide. Despite his distaste for formal education, Sean did occasionally apply himself to his work. Sarah saw too much of herself in Sean, though, and it bothered her tremendously.
When class ended, Sean followed her outside. “Whatcha doing Saturday night, Lady Death?” he asked, brushing the long hair from his face.
“I’m going to this off campus party with Heather,” said Sarah with resignation.
She did not want to attend the party, but Heather had persuaded her to come along. Sarah doubted she would know any of attendees since they were more of her roommate’s crowd, but at least there would be alcohol available. If she could get a couple drinks out of the deal, she might as well go and enjoy herself.
“Hanging out with the upscale athletes, huh?” Sean asked in a mocking tone.
“Broadening my horizons, Sean,” Sarah told him, firmly planting herself in his path. “Perhaps you should do the same sometime.”
Sean frowned. “What the hell’s your deal, man?”
Sarah sighed and shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, glancing at the parking lot. “I gotta go. Catch you later.”
“Sure,” replied Sean.
Feeling irritated, Sarah walked quickly to her dorm. She was annoyed with his accusation as well as her acid response. She had been to parties with Heather in the past. The athletes knew how to party better than most students. They were certainly better looking than most people at college. Might as well enjoy the view, she reasoned.
She had associated with the athletes in high school after her best friend began dating the quarterback. Her friendship with Lori had allowed Sarah to mix with the sports crowd. Athletics were not her strong suit, though. At Heather’s insistence, she had participated in track her senior year, surviving the experience through sheer will power. It still amazed her that Lori worked out more than six hours a day as she prepared for Olympic competition.
Thoughts of Lori reminded Sarah that soon her friend would marry that high school quarterback. Jason treated Lori as if she were made of gold, too. They were so totally suited as life partners that it almost frightened Sarah. Their relationship was beyond her comprehension, as Sarah had never been in love. Envious of her best friend, Sarah hoped that one day she would experience similar feelings. At this point in her life, though, she would settle for just liking herself.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Sarah raced to her dorm room. Heather would probably be present, but she could always resort to her headphones to secure some peace and quiet. Testing the lock before pulling out her keys, Sarah found the door open and burst loudly into the room. When the occupants within jumped, Sarah discovered her roommate was not alone.
“God, give me a heart attack!” cried Heather.
Her attention shifted and she scowled at her computer screen, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. The young man leaning over her shoulder smiled at Sarah, apparently amused by the situation. She recognized Heather’s friend immediately.
“Hey, Sarah!” he cried, his grin bringing a mischievous twinkle to his eyes.
“Hi, Matt,” she replied, closing the door and pausing at Heather’s desk. “What are you doing?”
“Heather’s helping me with some research,” said Matt, patting his friend’s back.
“Because you’re too damned lazy to do it yourself!” growled Heather, her long fingers running quickly over the keyboard.
“No!” he cried, giving her a brief hug. “Just taking advantage of your superior intelligence!”
“You’re not lazy, just smart,” observed Sarah, setting her books on her desk. Matt appeared pleased with her assessment of the situation.
“Whatever!” said Heather with annoyance.
Sitting at her computer desk, Sarah absently listened as Matt and Heather bantered with one another. Even Sarah would have been unable to tolerate Heather’s behavior today. Her roommate dominated every conversation with a sharp tongue and used her tall, imposing frame to her advantage. However, Matt was very patient when it came to dealing with his childhood friend.
Sarah always enjoyed Matt’s visits, even if he only stopped to see Heather. Jason’s best friend was the polar opposite of the young quarterback, too. Lori’s future husband was pleasant and good looking, but he was incredibly intense and serious. Sarah was more headstrong and vocal than her best friend, and she had occasionally butted heads with Jason.
However, Matt was just so relaxed and easy-going in comparison to Jason. He smiled almost constantly and mesmerized girls with his charm. Whereas Jason could’ve adorned the cover of GQ magazine, Matt appeared far more real and believable. His wavy brown hair covered the back of his neck and occasionally possessed a life of its own, which only added to his sex appeal. His tall, lean frame perfectly suited the young receiver. Obviously, the opposite sex found him attractive, as girls often accompanied Matt. His affinity for the female body had garnered him quite a reputation around campus, too. Sarah had always considered him cute but never pursued it beyond that thought.
“Print that!” exclaimed Matt, catching Sarah’s attention.
Matt gave Heather a quick kiss on the cheek and then stretched his lanky frame. When he realized Sarah was watching, he smiled and leaned against Heather’s desk.
“Hey, you two going to the party Saturday night? Be tons of guys there!” said Matt, giving Heather a suggestive nudge.
“Oh, I’ll be there!” she said.
Matt turned expectantly to Sarah. She took a deep breath and merely shrugged.
“I guess,” she said noncommittally.
“Come on!” challenged Matt. “I thought you loved to party.”
“Party, yes,” she said, her eyes falling on Heather. “But there’s some things I’d rather avoid.”
Matt regarded her thoughtfully, and he opened his mouth to ask another question. A question from Heather distracted him, and his attention shifted. He exclaimed with joy as she handed him a stack of papers fresh from her printer.
“Thanks, Heather, you’re a buddy!” he cried, patting her affectionately on the back. He smiled at Sarah before departing. “See you Saturday night!”
Sarah nodded, envious of Matt’s sunny disposition. Perhaps her life wouldn’t feel so hollow if she viewed the world in a similar fashion. Matt was like a breath of fresh air. One Sarah desperately needed!
* * *
Saturday night, Heather left Sarah little choice. Whether she wanted to go to the party or not, Heather pretty much forced her out the door at nine. Her roommate promised a good time tonight and even drove them to the party.
Sarah tried to remain close to Heather. When it became obvious her roommate’s goal was to pick up boys, she wandered off alone. She didn’t know very many people, though, and had a difficult time integrating. She chatted with Matt for a few minutes, pleased to find at least one familiar face. Otherwise, she simply wandered aimlessly from group to group.
During her first semester at Georgia Tech, Sarah had followed Heather’s example and dated many boys. The opportunity for noncommittal sex had arisen quiet often, although none were truly worthy partners. By the second semester, Sarah had dispensed with dating all together. None of the encounters held meaning and she was tired of wasting her time.
Around midnight, Sarah decided to return to dorms. The party was still going strong, but many were now engaged in physical activity. Several boys had already hit on her this evening, but she felt no inclination to become involved. A computer game would provide better company.
She searched downstairs for Heather but could not locate her roommate. The last time she’d seen her friend, Heather had been unabashedly flirting with a junior. She had also been quite drunk. Hoping to find Heather still on her feet but fearing her ride incapacitated, Sarah ascended the staircase.
Halfway up the steps, she ran into Matt. Numerous other people occupied the staircase and Sarah found her path obstructed. Matt hesitated, a half empty beer bottle in his hand, and she eyed him expectantly.
“Have you seen Heather?” she said loudly.
“I think she’s upstairs,” Matt replied. “Why?”
“I’m ready to go and she’s my ride.”
“Oh,” said Matt thoughtfully, glancing upstairs. “I think she’s indisposed right now.”
“Great!” exclaimed Sarah. “Guess I’ll just walk home then!”
Matt frowned, his eyes full of concern. “It’s after midnight, Sarah. And it’s a long ways.”
“Doesn’t look like I have a choice,” she replied, retreating down the staircase.
Following her to the main floor, Matt caught Sarah by the elbow. “Hang on. I’ll walk you back to your dorm,” he said, setting his bottle by the door.
They stepped outside into the fresh air. The group on the porch appeared occupied, and no one noticed them leaving the party. Matt followed her down the sidewalk, and they began the long walk to campus.
Sarah inhaled deep breaths, trying to clear her lungs. The air was no cooler outside than it had been in the house, but it wasn’t full of smoke or warm bodies. She generally didn’t mind crowds, but tonight the close proximity of so many people had bothered her. Now out in the open air, Sarah felt better than she had all night.
“You sure you don’t mind walking me back?” she asked Matt. Usually the last one left standing at a party, Matt never went home early.
“No, I don’t!” he assured her with a grin. “Besides, it’s dangerous for you to walk back by yourself.”
“I know self defense,” Sarah boasted, throwing back her shoulders.
Matt laughed at her boldness. “I bet you do!”
They idly discussed school and their best friend’s upcoming wedding. Matt was the Best Man and Sarah the Maid of Honor. They began speculating how elaborate the ceremony and reception would be, and how many guests would attend the event. Lori recently told her the guest list had grown to three hundred people, and Sarah had nearly gagged. She doubted she could get fifty people to show up for her wedding. At least the couple would clean up in the gift department, she thought.
“I’m happy for them,” she told Matt, trying not to sound envious. “Jason and Lori were made for each other.”
“I agree,” said Matt. He glanced sideways at Sarah and grinned. “Yeah, makes me ill, too!”
“I just don’t see how two people could be that genuinely happy!” exclaimed Sarah. “All they have to do is look at each other and they’re all mushy. I’ve never been in a relationship like that!”
Matt nodded in agreement. “I haven’t either.”
“You aren’t with anyone right now, are you?” she asked.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Matt shook his head. “Haven’t been for quite a while.”
“Really? You?”
“Got bored with the whole scene, I guess,” he said casually.
“Why?” asked Sarah, genuinely curious. She’d never seen Matt in a serious relationship, but he was always with one girl or another. Heather called him the ultimate playboy.
He met her eyes, contemplating his answer. “’Cuz one morning I woke up in bed next to this girl, and I didn’t even know her name,” he said truthfully. “That kinda bothered me, so I decided to cool my jets for awhile.”
“That’d do it for me!” agreed Sarah.
“Waking up to a strange girl?” Matt asked incredulously.
“No! Oh,” Sarah cried, giving him a playful shove when she realized he was teasing. “No, I’ve never woken up next to a strange guy or girl, Matt! That’s not why I stopped.”
“You’re not with anyone, either?”
They reached the last intersection before campus, and Sarah pushed the crosswalk button. “I’ve always been with someone,” she said. “Thought I’d try it on my own for a while.”
“Is it better?” he asked as they started across the street.
Sarah’s eyebrows rose and she regarded him thoughtfully. “Not really. But at least I’m not dealing with some loser’s problems on top of my own.”
Matt laughed, wordlessly nodding in agreement. He understood what she implied.
An old car drove past, its engine rumbling noisily. The driver gave it a little extra gas at the light, as if to appear tough. Sarah wrinkled her nose, unimpressed with the display.
“Thinks he’s something!” she exclaimed. “That six-cylinder has the same liter engine as my Toyota!”
“You know about cars?” Matt asked in surprise, his eyes alive with interest.
“Yeah, I took mechanics in high school,” Sarah declared. “I love racing, too.”
“That’s right, I remember you mentioning that you watch NASCAR. Ever been to a race?”
“Are you kidding?” laughed Sarah as they cut across the parking lot toward her dorm. “Who would I go with? Could you imagine Lori at the races?”
“No, guess I couldn’t,” Matt chuckled. “Jason and I have been to a few. Don’t think it excites him like it does me, though.”
“You’re either a fan or you’re not!” said Sarah decisively, drawing an imaginary line in the air with her hand. “There’s no in between.”
They approached the front of her building and noted lights in several of the rooms. Finals were coming up in a couple weeks and students were already beginning to cram for exams. Sarah knew she’d start hitting the books soon herself, although she relied on her ability to absorb most of the information during the semester. If nothing else, her recall was flawless.
“Gonna crash for the night?” asked Matt as they reached the main stairs.
“No, I’m not tired. I’ll probably sit up and play Mortal Combat half the night.”
“Single player?” he asked, dubious. Standing up to his full height, Matt stuck out his chest, his expression one of total confidence. “You haven’t played until you’ve played against me!”
“Is that a fact?” demanded Sarah. She crossed her arms, her smile one of devilish mischief. “You think you could beat me?”
“Care to take on the challenge?” Matt countered.
They stood there for a second, eyeing one another suspiciously. Sarah could see the fire of competition in his eyes and knew she couldn’t miss a chance to douse some of Matt’s cockiness. No one could beat her in Mortal Combat. She pointed a finger at Matt, daring him to back down.
“You’re on!” she cried, racing up the steps.
Matt followed Sarah to her room. Once inside, they kicked off their shoes, pulled two colas out of the refrigerator, and began to beat each other up in the virtual world. Matt proved himself a worthy opponent and won the first game. Sarah would not go down so easily though and came back in the second. They continued to play for over an hour, neither getting more than one win ahead despite their best efforts.
After numerous games, Sarah finally leaned back in her chair, her energy spent. She’d just won the last game, which evened the score again. They could play until dawn and never see a victor.
“Give up?” Matt teased, his eyes equally strained.
“Yeah, right,” said Sarah, nudging his shoulder.
Matt set down his controls and peered at the shelf over her desk. It held several books, but mostly contained games and movies. Curious, he scanned the titles, exclaiming loudly when he saw one he recognized.
“Wow! ‘Beverly Hills Cop’! I haven’t seen that in ages. Great movie,” he said, pulling the box off the shelf. He glanced at the back, and then looked up at Sarah. “I used to have this memorized!”
“Want to watch it?” she asked.
“Can we?” Matt pleaded.
Amused by his child-like eagerness, Sarah took the movie from his hand. While he slipped into the bathroom, she cued the movie to the beginning. When Matt emerged, she made a quick pit stop before settling in to enjoy a few laughs.
“The only place you can really watch my television is from the bed,” Sarah said apologetically, and then shrugged. “Sorry, just kinda lazy that way.”
Matt leaned against the pillows Sarah had piled high on her bed, wedging himself against the wall. The television sat atop the refrigerator at the foot of the bed, its small screen visible only to the bed’s occupant. He stretched out his legs and got comfortable, burrowing his shoulders into the pillows. Crossing his arms, Matt grinned at Sarah.
“You’re not lazy, just smart,” he said with a wink.
Sarah carefully sat on the remaining sliver of mattress. She pointed the remote at the screen and started the movie.
They spent the next two hours laughing themselves silly. Matt had an infectious laugh that was difficult to ignore. Sarah felt comfortable in his presence and eventually leaned back against the pillows, her shoulder touching his. Matt was a casual person, and she knew he wouldn’t think anything of it. After all, they were just friends.
When the film ended, their energy was nearly spent. Sarah turned off the movie, still wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. She was becoming very tired and wouldn’t be making sense for much longer. An old horror movie filled the screen just then, already in progress on one of the local stations. Sarah recognized it immediately and laughed.
“Oh, this one is awful,” she said, flopping against the pillows. “But it’s got some good gore, if they don’t edit it all out.”
“You like gory movies?” Matt asked, surprised. He loved horror, but few girls appreciated his taste in films. Heather, in particular, thought they were disgusting.
“The bloodier the better!” cried Sarah, her green eyes intense. “I am going to school for a degree in disease research, you know. I love gross stuff!”
They watched the screen in silence, waiting for a gory moment. Matt glanced at the clock and noticed it was four in the morning. He really needed to get up before he fell asleep. It had not been his intention to stay so long, but he’d enjoyed the company. The late hour began to overtake him, and Matt felt his eyelids droop. Perhaps he would close them for just a brief moment.
Matt suddenly opened his eyes and wondered how much of the movie he’d just missed. The room was dark except for the glow of the television. Peering at the clock on the dresser, he realized it was now five o’clock. He must’ve drifted off for a while.
Stretching out his left leg, Matt realized he wasn’t the only one. Sarah was asleep as well, her body turned toward him. Her head rested on his shoulder and her right hand lay flat on his chest, completely limp. Her breathing slow and steady, Sarah’s eyes were closed and her face appeared completely relaxed. Matt doubted she even knew she’d curled up to his body in her sleep.
He looked closer at the hand lying on his chest. Sarah’s hands were small, not long and thin like Heather’s, but they had a soft feminine quality he’d never noticed. The nails were unpainted but neatly trimmed short. His gaze traveled slowly up her arm, which was bare, to her shoulder. The light from the television showed soft, perfect skin, wrapped around arms that were neither too thin nor too muscular. Glancing down the length of her body, Matt noticed that her position revealed a nice curve to Sarah’s hips. When he caught sight of her bare feet, Matt smiled, for they exposed painted toenails. Sarah was not prissy and her toenails were painted black, as if in defiance.
Returning to her face, Matt noticed her soft cheeks and long eyelashes. Her dark, spiky hair, not long enough to cover her face, lightly brushed her shoulders. Her lips were pressed together, smoothing the harshness Sarah occasionally possessed. In the low light, she was a very pretty girl.
Matt had always considered Sarah a tomboy and just a little too Goth for his tastes. Even now, she was dressed in a black tank top and jeans, her skin pale in comparison to her clothes and hair color. Yet as she lay next to him, at total peace with the world, he beheld a completely different creature. Tonight, Matt had witnessed a side of Sarah he’d never noticed.
With his left hand, he gently covered the hand on his chest. He liked the feel of her skin and had to resist the urge to touch her exposed shoulder. Instead, he reached over and brushed the hair away from Sarah’s forehead. She stirred slightly and then was still.
Feeling the remote wedged between them, Matt pried it loose and turned off the television. The room fell into darkness, save for a nightlight in the bathroom. No longer able to see Sarah, Matt laid his hand over hers and closed his eyes. Sarah had looked so beautiful lying beside him and he knew could not get up without disturbing her. It appeared he would spend the rest of the night here. At least Matt would know his sleeping partner in the morning.
Sometime around six, Sarah awoke to a noise in the bathroom. Listening to the sounds, Sarah guessed Heather had finally returned to their room. She’d likely crashed at the party before finding her way home. If she were that drunk last night, then it was probably a good thing Sarah hadn’t pressed her for a ride.
Slowly she became aware of Matt’s presence and Sarah nervously glanced over her shoulder. Still on his back and sprawled out as much as her tiny bed would allow, he was in a deep sleep. Sarah had turned on her right side during the night, facing away from him. Absently, she wondered what Heather would think when she noticed them in bed together.
The bathroom door opened, and Heather staggered into the room. She headed straight for her bed and yanked aside the covers, collapsing with a sigh onto the sheets. In moments, she was asleep, completely oblivious to the occupants of her room. Sarah lay still for a few more minutes before she drifted off again.
Sarah roused again before nine. She was on her back now, her left side pressed against Matt’s backside. Sarah opened her eyes and listened for sounds of life. Heather’s heavy breathing filled the room, but otherwise the whole dorm was quiet.
Slowly, so as not to disturb Matt, Sarah slid out of bed and stepped into the bathroom. She decided to wash her face and brush her teeth and ran a brush through her hair. Not even a hard night’s sleep could completely flatten her hair and it fluffed up with a life all its own. Looking in the mirror, Sarah hoped she would not scare Matt when he awoke.
Upon returning, Sarah noticed Heather had kicked off her covers. Clad only in underwear, Heather would likely be upset if Matt saw her in that condition. Tossing the comforter over her roommate, Sarah eased onto her mattress and placed her back toward Matt. Heather’s appearance had not disturbed him. Sarah wondered if he knew where he’d fallen asleep this morning. She doubted Matt would have intentionally selected her bed.
Suddenly, Matt rolled over in his sleep. Sarah jumped as an arm came down around her. Not moving a muscle, she waited until he settled before glancing over her shoulder. She couldn’t see his face, as it was buried into the pillow, but she could feel Matt pressed against her back, his left arm dangling across her midsection. Despite the improbability of the scenario, Sarah enjoyed feeling his body next to hers. Stretching out her right arm, she gently touched his hand. Sarah smiled and closed her eyes.
A startled cry brought them out of a sound sleep. Sarah’s entire body tensed and she quickly raised her head. Matt lifted himself to see over Sarah, his hand on her hip. Their eyes fell on Heather, who was frantically wrapping a blanket around her body. Heather looked as if she’d had a rough night.
“Matt! What on earth are you doing here?” she exclaimed indignantly.
Rolling onto his back, Matt covered his eyes. “My God, Heather! You are the master of rude awakenings,” he said, yawning mightily.
“I am?” she asked resentfully. “Well, I certainly didn’t expect to wake up to you!”
“Just who did you wake up to this morning, Heather?” asked Sarah, unable to resist.
Heather rolled her eyes and headed for the bathroom, the blanket trailing behind her.
“Don’t be long!” called Matt.
“Yeah, sure!” Heather snapped before slamming the door.
Sarah heard Matt chuckle. Slowly she sat upright and swung her feet to the floor. Running her fingers through her hair, Sarah stretched once before facing her unlikely bedmate. Arms lying lazily over his head, Matt stifled another yawn when he noticed Sarah watching. Stretching out his legs, he grinned innocently, his eyes still full of mischief. Sarah found his expression rather endearing and she returned his smile.
“Guess we fell asleep,” he said, stating the obvious.
“No kidding!” said Sarah, amused by the whole situation.
Matt rubbed his eyes sleepily. He wishing Heather had not so rudely interrupted their slumber this morning. Cocking his head, he regarded Sarah with curiosity.
“I don’t think I’ve ever slept with someone that I didn’t actually sleep with!”
“First time for everything,” said Sarah.
“At least it was someone I know,” commented Matt.
“Wait! Who are you again?”
That caused Matt to laugh. With a groan, he pulled himself upright. Sarah moved over to allow him room. He yawned again and rubbed his hair, causing it to stand out more than ever. Sarah tried to suppress a chuckle, for Matt appeared abnormally disheveled and groggy this morning. Matt cast a sideways glance at her, a grin on his face.
“Oh, this amuses you, huh?” he asked, giving Sarah a playful shove on the leg.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and regarded her thoughtfully. Sarah gripped the edge of the bed and looked at Matt expectantly.
“Last night was fun,” he said. “Maybe next time we’ll start with the gory movie.”
“Yeah, and really gross out Heather!” Sarah added wickedly.
“With the movie or us in bed together?” he teased, rubbing his hair again.
Sarah crossed her arms and frowned. “I didn’t think that was gross.”
Matt paused and stared at her. His expressive brown eyes appeared to reflect genuine interest and Sarah calmly met his gaze. Matt was about to speak when Heather returned clad in a bathrobe.
“All right, next!” she mumbled, dropping heavily into her chair.
“My, did we wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!” exclaimed Matt as he strolled past Sarah’s roommate.
Heather swung at Matt and he easily avoided her half-hearted attempt. When the bathroom door closed, she looked expectantly at Sarah, her eyes piercing and haughty. Not wanting to give her roommate the satisfaction of watching her squirm, Sarah calmly returned Heather’s stare.
“So, what did we do last night?” Heather finally asked, implying more had occurred than what she’d witnessed.
“When I couldn’t find you last night,” said Sarah, annoyance in her voice, “Matt offered to walk me home. We stayed up half the night playing games and watching movies.”
“And…?”
“And fell asleep watching the last movie. Duh, Heather!” cried Sarah, spreading her arms and glancing down at herself. “I still have my clothes on!”
Heather regarded her with skepticism. Sarah shook her head and smiled wickedly.
“Sorry, you’ve never woken up next to a boy with your clothes on, have you?”
Heather threw her pen at Sarah and turned back to her computer. The bathroom door opened and Matt strolled into the room. He had wet his hair and appeared much more alert now. Grinning at Heather, he winked at Sarah, pleased to have annoyed Heather so early in the morning. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Matt reached for his shoes.
“Guess I’ll go home now!” he announced, putting on his left shoe.
“Thanks for walking me back last night,” said Sarah, pulling her knees to her chest.
“No problem! It was fun.”
Pulling on his other shoe, he glanced at Heather, who appeared to be ignoring them. Satisfied they were not under observation, Matt regarded Sarah one last time. His expression thoughtful, he opened his mouth as if to speak. A noise from Heather’s direction distracted him and Matt simply gave Sarah another smile as he rose to his feet.
“I’ll see you around,” he announced.
He patted Heather on the head as he passed and she batted away his hand in irritation. With a laugh, Matt opened the door and gave Sarah one last smile before departing.
Once Matt was gone, a stillness fell over the room. Heather continued to sulk in silence. Sarah opted to take a shower and grabbed a fresh set of clothes out of her dresser. If her roommate remained in a foul mood when she emerged, Sarah would work on her studies under a tree somewhere. It would be warm and humid, even in the shade, but it beat the tension in their room. More importantly, it would give her some time to think about what had transpired last night.
Avoiding Heather for the rest of the day, Sarah spent her Sunday alone. She staked out a large tree under which to work and buried her nose in her books. Several people passed during the course of the day, and a friend from her English class waved hello, but no one stopped to talk. Sarah knew how to close herself off from the world when she wanted, discouraging anyone who might approach. And today, she wanted to be alone with her musings.
Her thoughts returned to Matt and the events of the past evening. Sarah had to admit she’d enjoyed his company immensely. It had surprised her to discover they had so much in common. They’d known each other for almost two years, but never spent time alone. Sarah had seen Matt occasionally at parties and around campus, but unless he was in their room bothering Heather for something, their conversations had been brief. She certainly wasn’t the type of girl he normally dated. They wouldn’t even be friends if it weren’t for Jason and Lori.
Sarah’s focus shifted to Lori. She’d always envied her best friend. Sarah knew she wasn’t ugly, but next to her friend, she sometimes felt incredibly unattractive. With her long, flowing hair and captivating smile, Lori was beautiful beyond words. Everywhere she went, boys turned to watch, their eyes full of desire and admiration. The scrutiny never fell on Sarah, or their other friend, Maria. In fact, had it not been for Maria and her pretty but average looks, Sarah doubted she could’ve been Lori’s only close friend.
And now Lori was marrying Jason, she thought to herself. Sometimes it made her nauseated to watch them, for they were so unbelievably in love. Passion ignited between them with a mere glance. Sarah secretly wished some boy would look at her in a similar fashion. The boys she dated were only interested in one thing. There was none of the magic that sparked between Lori and Jason. Sarah finally concluded she simply attracted the wrong boys.
Eventually, she noticed the afternoon shadows growing longer and decided to go inside. As she gathered her things, Sarah thought again of Matt. She reasoned he was on her mind because she’d been without a partner for so long. She’d really enjoyed having him beside her last night, though. The whole evening with Matt had been fun. Shame that would probably be the last time she saw him before Lori’s wedding. Maybe she’d get a chance to talk with him then, if Heather didn’t monopolize all of his time.
Only one more month and her best friend would marry Mr. Right. If only Sarah could find one that wasn’t so totally Mr. Wrong!
II
Someone Special
“Hey, Heather, what are you up to?”
“You jerk! I’m on my way to a class. What are you doing?” the voice replied over the phone.
Matt grinned at her caustic reply. “Want to see a movie tonight?” he asked.
“I gotta study for a damn test! Can you believe it? This close to finals, too. Anyway, what am I missing?”
“A special showing of Night of the Living Dead,” Matt announced.
“Ugh! Matt, you know I hate those kind of movies!” exclaimed Heather. “God, why don’t you ask Sarah? She’s into those creepy things.”
“I guess I could,” Matt said casually. “What’s her number?”
Heather gave him Sarah’s cell phone number and he told her goodbye, a grin on his face. He had no intention of taking Heather to that movie and knew she’d decline. Obtaining Sarah’s phone number had been the goal and he wanted to acquire it without raising suspicion. Still waiting for the instructor to arrive, Matt dialed Sarah’s number. She answered on the third ring.
“Hello?” she asked hesitantly.
“Hey Sarah, it’s Matt!”
“Matt?” Sarah repeated, doubt in her voice.
“Yeah, we slept together the other night, remember?” he said with a laugh. The girl sitting two seats over gave him an odd look before turning away.
“Oh, now I remember!” Sarah said, playing along. “Duh, I know who you are, just didn’t expect you to call me. Are you looking for Heather?”
“Naw, you. There’s a late showing tonight of Night of the Living Dead and thought you’d want to come along,” said Matt, trying to sound casual. He didn’t want Sarah suspicious, either.
“Oh, that’d be cool! Who else is going?”
“So far you’re the only one who wants to,” he replied. It was the truth, even if he’d only asked one other person.
There was a moment of silence before Sarah answered. “Okay, well, what time?”
Matt smiled, feeling victorious. “Starts at ten. If you want to ride with me, I can pick you up at nine-thirty.”
“Sure. I’ll be waiting at the main doors,” Sarah said cheerily.
“See you then!”
Matt closed his phone just as the professor entered the room. He stuffed it in his pocket and settled in for the two-hour lecture. Despite his lack of interest in the subject, a smile remained on his face for the duration of the class. He looked forward to tonight!
* * *
He’d thought about Sarah off and on for the past several days, unable to get her out of his mind. Spending Saturday night with her had been a surprisingly pleasant experience. Matt certainly hadn’t thought Sarah would attract his attention. However, that was before he realized their interests and tastes were so similar and certainly before she’d fallen asleep on him. The entire night was one he’d like to repeat again soon, if she would allow it.
After discussing their lack of interest in a significant other, Matt wasn’t sure Sarah would even be interested. If he just came out and asked her for a date directly, she might decline. Matt needed to be subtle. After hearing of the movie tonight, he’d seized the opportunity. It wasn’t exactly a date, which meant Sarah wouldn’t feel threatened. But it gave Matt the chance to spend another evening with her. That might be all he needed to convince her to go out with him.
When he arrived at her dorm, she was waiting on the steps. Sarah was genuinely excited to see the movie and chatted eagerly with Matt on the way to the theatre. They each paid for their own ticket, but Matt splurged for the popcorn and drinks.
There were many college students, and their noisy antics filled the theatre. They enjoyed themselves regardless and devoured the popcorn in no time. Sarah sat enthralled with the show the entire time, only glancing his way to make an occasional comment or exclamation. Matt was having a good time as well, but wondered how he would get Sarah’s attention long enough to ask her on a date. It certainly wouldn’t be here in the theatre.
After the movie, he asked if she wanted to stop at a coffee shop. Still energized from the movie, Sarah readily agreed. Matt quickly located a place that was open until one in the morning. There were only three customers in the entire shop and they sat at a table in the corner, drinks in hand.
“Well, that was cool. Thanks for calling me!” Sarah said, gingerly sipping on her cappuccino.
“You said you liked horror flicks,” Matt told her, leaning back in his chair. “Not too many girls do.”
Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Don’t remind me! I never could get Lori or Maria to watch one with me. They like those mushy, romantic movies. Yuck!”
“You’re not into romance?” he asked with a laugh.
“Are you kidding? Look at me!” she said, gesturing to the flaming dragon on her black t-shirt. “Besides, I don’t exactly attract the romantic type. Not like Lori.”
“You sound envious,” commented Matt.
Sarah guffawed. “Wouldn’t you be? If your best friend was the most beautiful creature on earth? At least here at college, I don’t have to stand next to her and feel second-rate all the time.”
“You’re not,” Matt assured her. “I know how you feel, though.”
“You?”
“I’m aware of what most girls think of Jason,” said Matt nonchalantly.
Sarah frowned and regarded Matt seriously. “Not all,” she said, taking a quick sip of her drink. “Besides, one more month and they’ll be permanently out of the loop and that’ll give the rest of us a chance!”
They turned to lighter subjects, amusing one another with stories of boring instructors, crazy parties and old horror movies. Sarah was funny and engaging, but a darkness clouded her eyes that prevented her from smiling often. Matt worked diligently to get her to laugh, though. She was otherwise incredibly blunt and not afraid to voice her thoughts. Her slightly indifferent attitude might be cause to believe she didn’t take anything serious, but Matt suspected more lurked beneath the surface. This mystery girl intrigued him and he felt he’d found a kindred spirit.
Sarah found herself equally fascinated. Whereas Lori was incredibly positive, Matt was simply happy-go-lucky. He didn’t appear to have a care in the world. The twinkle in Matt’s eyes spoke of mischief and boyish charm. Sarah found herself laughing more than usual and enjoyed the experience. She wished she could so easily ignore the things that bothered her on a daily basis. Living with a roommate as dour and serious as Heather had dampened her spirits.
“What made you want to work with germs?” Matt finally asked, curious to discover Sarah’s fascination with something so morbid.
“It was the lesser of many evils,” stated Sarah, finishing her drink. “My dad’s a doctor and my mom’s an RN. They work together at his practice. My oldest brother is finishing up at Harvard. He’s gonna be a surgeon. My other brother, Randy, is in the service and he’s a nurse, too, like my mom. So of course, I was expected to enter the medical field, too. Nothing really interested me, so I selected microbiology. I don’t like dealing with people and diseases seemed less threatening.”
“Until they turn their hosts into zombies, that is!” teased Matt.
Sarah laughed at his reference to the movie. “Well, guess I’ll just have to keep a shotgun handy!”
Matt glanced at the clock and noticed it was almost one in the morning. The coffee shop would be closing soon. If ever he was going to ask her out, now would be the time. Leaning forward on the table, Matt looked her in the eye and smiled.
“Listen, before we get kicked out of here, I wanted to thank you for coming with me tonight. I had a good time.”
Sarah nodded and shoved aside her empty cup. “Yeah, it was fun,” she said casually.
Unable to read her, Matt took a deep breath. “Do you like to dance?” he asked.
“Sure! Love to!” Sarah replied eagerly.
“Well, I was wondering, maybe Friday night you’d like to go dancing with me,” he said hopefully.
Her eyes widened. “Are you asking me out on a date?” she asked in an accusing voice.
“Yeah, I guess I am,” Matt said, trying to remain optimistic. “If you want to, that is.”
Sarah sat there for a moment, her mouth slightly open. Her mind raced with all the reasons why she didn’t want to get involved right now. None of the excuses seemed very convincing, however. They certainly didn’t apply to the charming, engaging young man sitting across the table. Despite the unlikeliness of their pairing, Sarah decided to take a chance.
“Okay, why not?” she answered, shrugging her shoulders.
It wasn’t the stellar response Matt had anticipated, but a yes was all that mattered. “Well, good! I’ll get with you Thursday to make plans then,” he said eagerly.
“All right,” said Sarah, her brows coming together. “But I want to keep it a secret!”
“You don’t want anyone to know?” he asked, slightly hurt by her request.
“No! Wait, that came out wrong,” said Sarah, shaking her head. She laid her hands flat on the table and gave him an apologetic look. “What I meant is, I don’t want Heather to find out.”
“Okay,” said Matt with a grin, his shoulders relaxing. “I won’t tell her if you don’t. Neither of us needs the flack, anyway.”
“She can sure give it, too!”
Smiling warmly, Matt placed his hand on hers. The softness of her skin felt good under his fingertips and he gently lifted her hand, admiring its beauty. His own hand dwarfed her petite fingers, but they were as lovely and delicate as Matt recalled from Saturday.
“You have beautiful hands,” he told her.
Sarah didn’t quite know what to say and simply gazed back at him. Matt continued to smile, his brown eyes warm and friendly. She wanted to tell him how good he looked, too, but couldn’t decide which feature to select. It all appealed to Sarah.
The girl behind the counter informed them closing time had arrived. Matt released her hand and Sarah rose to her feet, her response lost in the moment. He followed Sarah, throwing their garbage in the trash as they departed. They were the last ones to exit the shop and the girl locked the door behind them.
On the way home, they reverted to casual banter, and given the late hour, it bordered on the ridiculous. Matt dropped off Sarah outside her dorm with a promise to call Thursday. She said goodnight and bounded up the stairs, pausing briefly at the door. He waited until Sarah was safely inside, giving her a final wave goodbye, before releasing the emergency brake.
Matt smiled as he pulled away from the curb. He had accomplished everything he’d set out to do tonight. He would be taking Sarah out on a real date.
Friday evening, Matt picked her up before seven and they went for a quick bite to eat. Eager and lively tonight, Sarah chatted happily all through dinner. Once they reached the club, she exhibited just as much energy on the dance floor. Pleased to have such an enthusiastic partner, Matt kept them dancing for as long possible.
Sarah was having a great time. Everything was still casual and that suited her just fine. She really wasn’t sure what to think of the situation. Aware of Matt’s playboy reputation, Sarah felt sure he knew her reputation as well. However, his interest appeared to extend beyond mere physical attraction. She still had no idea why he would ask her out on a date, though.
They had just returned to their seats to recover their breath and quench their thirst when the tempo changed to a slower beat. Sarah’s emotions immediately yanked her in different directions. Wary of close contact, she hoped Matt would not ask her to dance. However, part of her desperately desired to feel Matt’s warm body against hers. Sarah held her breath and kept her eyes averted from Matt’s direction.
“Sarah?” asked Matt, touching her thigh to get her attention.
When he gestured toward the floor, Sarah nodded solemnly in agreement and rose to her feet. They joined the crowd and Matt wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her close. Sarah felt her whole body jolt, just as it had the other morning when his arm came down across her midsection. She could feel his strong shoulders underneath her hands and wanted so desperately to fondle his hair. Sarah refused to become optimistic, though. It was unreasonable to expect more than one night in Matt’s presence.
They returned to campus after midnight. Matt remained unsure of his impression on Sarah. He simply could not interpret her signals. Either acting indifferent on purpose or just not interested, her vibes were anything but encouraging. Matt thought he’d found someone whose company he could enjoy and felt disappointed.
As they pulled up outside her dorm, Matt decided to cut his losses and just let her out by the front door. Sarah glanced at the building, her mind still fighting with itself. She eyed Matt expectantly as he put on the parking brake.
“Well, I had a good time,” he said, trying to sound cheerful. His brown eyes met hers and Matt sighed. “I guess that makes one of us.”
“Matt…” began Sarah.
She closed her eyes and looked away from his anxious expression. This was the moment of truth. If she believed Matt’s sincere interest in her, then this was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to lose.
“Matt, I had a great time,” she admitted, her gaze traveling to a couple as they passed the car. “Can you park for a minute?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, turning the steering wheel.
He located a secluded spot in the parking lot and turned off the engine. Leaning his left arm on the wheel, Matt gave Sarah his full attention.
“Okay, I’m sorry, I guess I’m still in shock,” she told him, rushing her words. “I mean, why on earth you would want to go out with me… well, maybe I don’t want to know. But believe me, I really did enjoy tonight.”
“You were starting to make me wonder there,” said Matt with a chuckle. “Thought I was gonna get my ego bruised again.”
“Well, anyone who’d turn you down is an idiot,” Sarah said quickly. Her reply more candid than she’d intended, she caught her breath and regarded Matt with anxious eyes.
“Thanks,” he said, clearly flattered. “So, does this mean we can see each other again?”
“Sure, you can fall asleep in my bed anytime. But only after I’ve had a chance to beat you at Mortal Combat first!”
Matt smiled. “Deal,” he agreed, nodding his head.
Sarah returned his eager grin. When she made no move to exit the vehicle, he reached for her hand. This time she returned his grasp and tilted her chin. Leaning closer, he bent to give Sarah a kiss. Rewarded with a warm and passionate kiss, Matt felt her hand go to his neck, and he embraced her tightly. This was a complete reversal of what he had expected ten minutes ago, and it pleased Matt immensely.
Eventually they exited the car and he walked her inside. Concerned Heather might be in their room, Matt resisted the urge to follow Sarah upstairs. He gave her a parting kiss goodnight and told her he looked forward to seeing her again soon.
As she bounded up the stairs to her floor, Sarah realized she was eager to spend another evening with Matt, too.
* * *
Heather did not ask where she’d gone Friday night, and Sarah didn’t volunteer any information. She and Matt were just dating right now and she preferred not to get any unsolicited advice from her roommate. Heather had shared Matt’s bed once or twice in the past and might think Sarah was merely doing the same. While she certainly wasn’t opposed to the concept, Sarah didn’t want Heather to get the wrong idea.
On Sunday, Matt called and asked if she wanted to watch the race. The boys in his dorm had gathered in front of the rec room’s big screen TV, giving their brains a break from studying. Taking Sarah’s request for discretion to heart, he gave no one the impression they were more than just friends. However, he did sit beside her and took every opportunity to give Sarah a playful nudge or a quick touch. When the race ended, Matt escorted Sarah to her dorm, slipping in a couple kisses before saying goodbye.
Sarah had already decided she enjoyed kissing Matt. His expertise in that area was indisputable. She wondered if she’d get to experience more of him once finals ended and they returned home to Greenville.
Unbelievably stressful for most students, final exams caused Sarah little hardship. Granted the tests were more difficult than high school, but as she’d discovered last semester, it was nothing she couldn’t handle. She had to chuckle at Matt, though. When he called on Wednesday, Matt sounded as if he were really struggling with his studies. Apparently, class work was not his strong suit.
By Friday, Matt definitely felt the strain. He and his roommate, Mike, had spent the entire evening hitting the books. Matt’s concentration had begun to wane, but Mike showed no sign of fatigue.
Both brain and brawn, Mike had more than earned a football scholarship with his consistent study habits and perfect grades. He actually enjoyed reading and doing assignments, which totally amazed Matt. Even now, Mike casually bobbed his head to the music on their stereo. He appeared as relaxed as if merely watching TV and Matt envied his clever roommate. Schoolwork did not come as easy for him.
After staring at his textbook and computer screen for over six hours, he felt incredibly tired and depressed. Glancing at the clock, Matt wondered if it was too late to call Sarah. He desperately needed a diversion if he wanted to absorb any more tonight. It was eleven o’clock, but Sarah struck him as a night owl and was likely studying as well.
He dialed her number, hoping she wouldn’t mind the interruption. He was greeted with a warm and enthusiastic hello.
“Hey, Sarah!” he replied, pleased to hear her voice. “Are you real busy?”
“No. What’s up?”
“Just needed to hear a friendly voice,” he told her, rubbing his eyes. “These books are killing me!”
Sarah chuckled. “Haven’t hit brain fry yet, have you?”
“Darn near close! Just really need a break.”
There was a pause. “Well,” began Sarah slowly. “Want to come over here for a little while?”
“I’d love to. What about Heather?”
“She’s hitting the books with some friends of hers. Won’t be back for hours.”
“Sounds good to me, then! These numbers are all running together, anyway,” he moaned.
“Whatcha stuck on?” she asked.
“Math. My favorite subject.”
“Well, math is one of my best subjects. Bring your book. Maybe I can help.”
“Can’t pass up that offer,” said Matt with a grin. “I’ll be right over.”
Closing his phone, he scooped the book off his desk. Turning off his light, Matt rose to his feet and turned to his roommate.
“I’m gonna get some help with this,” he said casually.
Mike turned around and smiled. Matt had been blessed with a great roommate. Neither intrusive nor distant, his generous, peaceful nature and great sense of humor were exactly what Matt desired in a friend. While not replacing Jason as his best friend, Mike had become a reliable and trustworthy confidant.
“That dark haired girl that was here on Sunday?” he asked, tossing the blonde curls from his face. “She’s cool. Cute, too.”
“Yes, she certainly is,” agreed Matt, his voice firm.
Mike laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then!” he called as Matt headed for the door.
When he reached Sarah’s dorm room, he heard music thumping on the other side of the door. It sounded very similar to the tunes Mike had been playing in their room. After his comment regarding Sarah, Matt decided to keep Mike away from her for a while. He didn’t need the competition. Knocking loudly, Matt heard the volume drop almost immediately. Sarah opened the door, a genuine smile reflected in her eyes.
“Need some detoxing?” she asked, gesturing for him to enter.
“Yes,” said Matt empathetically, locking the door behind him.
Stepping into her room, he sighed and took a seat on the edge of her bed. Sarah grabbed the book out of his hands and flopped down beside Matt.
“So, what did you need help with?” she asked him, thumbing through his textbook.
“Right now, just help me relax,” Matt implored.
Closing his book, Sarah regarded him with sympathy. Matt appeared stressed, his shoulders heavy from fatigue. The sparkle in his eyes returned as he removed the book from her hands, though. He tossed it on the floor and Sarah heard the book land with a resounding thud.
Suddenly Matt threw his arms around Sarah and pulled her onto the bed. Sarah let out a joyful cry as they hit the comforter, their feet still touching the floor. Matt drew her close and she found her head lying comfortably on his chest. He took a deep breath and sighed, letting his eyes close.
“Much better,” he said softly. “This is what I needed.”
“Watch out, or you’ll fall asleep again,” Sarah cautioned, looking up at him.
Matt grinned mischievously. “And what’s wrong with that?” he asked, his eyes still closed.
Sarah rested her head, equally content to simply lie still for a moment. She could feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed. Her hand lay across his ribcage