Chapter 32: Renee

“I think this creative writing class I’m taking is the least creative class I’ve ever taken in my life,” Jami complains as we walk together down the school’s building corridor. “I mean, I love writing, but this isn’t a writing class. I'm pretty sure the professor is just trying to make our lives as miserable as possible because her life is as miserable as possible. Honestly, I am over it.” She stopped talking to take a deep breath and leaned into me, nudging my arm with her own. “You okay there?”

“I’m great,” I tell her with a grin, but it sounds and feels fake even to me. Jami’s eyebrows shoot up, pulling me to a stop and leading me to one of the empty study tables so we could sit down. I felt like a zombie, so emotionally exhausted that I couldn’t resist her antics even if I wanted to.

“Alright, then,” Jami said with a huff, falling in the chair across from me as she rested her elbows on the table to stare in my direction. “We need to get this boy thing figured out because I am bored with my shell of a roommate, okay? I miss you.”

“Shell? I am not a shell. I’m a whole person.”

“Could have fooled me.” Jami shakes her head and looks around to ensure no one is eavesdropping. Then she lowers her voice. “I’ve been thinking ….”

“Uh-oh.”

“Shut up.”

“Fine. What have you been thinking?”

“I’ve been thinking,” Jami continues, a sly smile spreading across her features. “You know those books Carly reads? The romantic ones? What are they called, harem, or something like that?”

“Yeah, something like that. Why?”

“Well, think about it.” Jami leaned back in her seat, deep in thoughts, arms folded across her chest as she considered whatever she was thinking about. “If one guy could have a bunch of girls fighting over him, why couldn't a girl do the same?”

“Jami,” I groan. “What are you even talking about?”

My friend swallows and lowers her voice again, as though she was telling me some deep, dark secret that no one else but us should know. “Reverse harem,” she whispered. “Matt, Aaron, Jake … be with all of them, don’t just choose one.”

“That’s the dream,” I said with a chuckle. “Three men to bend the knee, right?” I laughed because I honestly didn’t know how else to react to that.

Jami leans back in the chair, glaring at me. She didn’t see the humor. “It would solve your problems,” she said instead. “Not to mention, all three of these men are crazy about you, Renee. They might just consider it.”

“That’s weird, James.”

“It’s only weird if you make it weird,” Jami insists. “For all you know, they could be totally down for it.”

I shake my head and reach for my backpack, ready to get up and start walking again. Then I pause and look at Jami. “Or I could forget all three of those guys and find someone else entirely,” I tell her. “That’s the easy route to go.”

Jami is about to get up and follow me when a familiar face walks past. Two, actually, and they both stopped when they saw Jami and me at the table.

“Long time no see,” Jason said, resting the palms of his hand on the tabletop as he smiled at me. Beside him is, who else, Carly.

“Hi, guys,” Jami said, always a friendly face. Although Carly has technically moved back into the house with us, this is the first time I’ve seen her since the unfortunate event a few weeks before.

“Hi,” Carly said, refusing to look at me. Jason didn’t seem to notice the tension. I wonder why they’re even together; I didn’t remember them being friends.

“Carly,” I said, and for a second, I was sure she would turn on her heel and walk away. But she didn’t. “I am sorry,” I tell her. “I am sorry for what I did to you. I miss my roommate. I miss my friend. Do you forgive me?”

I was waiting for her to say no, but Jami nodded curtly, just once, and cleared her throat after a moment of silence. “It’s fine,” she said. “Jake is at fault, too, and I’ve already forgiven him.”

I was not surprised by this, just irritated that she would forgive him before me, but I knew now was not the time. I’ll take her forgiveness and run with it if I have to.

“Enough with the awkwardness,” Jason thundered, slapping a sheet of paper down on the table in front of Jami and me. “There’s a party tonight on Fifth Street. It’s supposed to be lit. Everyone is invited.”

“Ugh, parties,” Jami said with a shake of her head. “Just an excuse for a bunch of idiots to get drunk and rub up on each other. Hard pass.”

“You’re missing out,” Jason said, and there’s something new about him that I couldn't quite place … he’s different somehow. Less quiet and more forward, blunt, like he’s got some point to make. Only, I didn’t know what it was. “What about you?” he asked, turning to me. “Are you up for a good time?”

“I really should stay home and study,” I mumble. “I’ve been slacking recently.”

“That’s too bad because I could use a date,” Jason said with a self-assured smirk. And while that stupid smirk made me want to slap him across the face for some reason, I looked over at Jami, who shrugged. It was Carly who smiled this time.

“Just come, Ren,” she said sweetly. “I think we could all use some friendly heart to hearts.”

I take the paper from where it sits on the table and then fold it neatly, shoving it into the side pocket of my backpack. “I’ll think about it.”

“Right,” Jason said, straightening up. “I’ll see you at eight.”

“But I …” Before I could finish my sentence, Jason and Carly walk away, vanishing around a corner. Jami and I watch them in silence until they’re out of sight.

“That was weird,” Jami said with a slight shake of her head. “I didn’t know they were friends.”

“I don’t think they are,” I said curiously. “At least, they didn’t use to be. Not that it’s any of our business, I guess. Whatever makes their negative feelings towards me ease up, right?”

“Right,” Jami said, but she didn’t sound convinced. “Are you going to that party?”

“Should I?”

She shrugs, looking uneasy. “I know you’re trying to take your focus away from the boys, but I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“I don’t know, James,” I said, getting to my feet. After a second, Jami follows suit. “Maybe this is exactly what I need … to go to a party, have fun, and get my mind off those three stooges.”

Jami throws her arm around me as we walk, and I rest the side of my head against hers, grateful, as always, to have a friend that has always supported me … even if the decisions I make aren’t necessarily the right ones.

But who knows? Maybe this party is exactly what I need to get over Matt, Aaron, and Jake.

Or so I could hope.