Read Online One Year (New & Lengthened Edition) by Charlotte Byrd - Free Book Online

pushes her 36 DDs out in front of her and carries her head high.
    “You’re hopeless,” I say.
    “You’re so sweet, Alice. But seriously, I weigh close to 200 pounds. I’m well aware of how I look. I just…I don’t know.”
    For a moment, she looks incredibly sad.
    “What? What’s wrong?”
    “I just really hope that this isn’t some sort of joke. This guy isn’t just some average college freshman, Alice. It’s like he’s an Abercrombie and Fitch model. So I just hope that this whole thing between us, I just hope that it’s not a joke.”
    “Oh my God! A joke? Why would you even think that?” I gasp.
    “Because it happened once in high school. This really popular kid asked me out. I was really excited. I couldn’t believe it. And then, I found out that he had only asked me out because of a dare. It was all this big joke between him and his friends. I was a joke.”
    “You were never a joke. He’s an asshole,” I say.
    We both crack up. Somehow, we managed to spend almost the entire peer review session talking about anything but our papers.
    “Well, have fun with your new guy today,” I say, gathering my papers. “I’m sure he’s for real. You don’t have to worry.”
    She doesn’t say anything. When I look up at her, she has a look of concern on her face.
    “Alice, would you mind going with me? I just want a second opinion.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “He lives in your building. I just want you to pop in with me, chat with him for a moment and then let me know what you think. If he’s for real or not. I just want some moral support.”
    I shrug. “Of course. Though, honestly, I’m not sure I’m going to be that much of a help.”
    “Please? I’ve only been out with him once before. And it would just make me feel so much better.”
    I agree.

----
    T ea and I make our way back to my dorm. I can feel her getting more and more anxious the closer we get to his place. I try to calm her by talking about the weekend and all the parties that are going on around campus.
    “What floor does he live on?” I ask in the elevator.
    “16 th ,” she says, pressing the button.
    “That’s my floor!”
    “Really? Oh my God, what if you know him already? That would be so great. Then you can tell what he’s really like.”
    I shrug. Though that sounds good in general, I don’t really know that many people on my floor. I know most of their names, I think, but I’m not as social as I probably should be. Not sure how much information I can really give her.
    The elevator doors open and we step into the hallway.
    “You know what room?” I ask.
    Tea starts to rummage through her bag. “Yeah, I have it here somewhere.”
    I see Tristan and Dylan out of the corner of my eye, coming down the hallway.
    “Tea?” Tristan asks.
    “Tristan! Hey.” Tea throws her arms around his neck and gives him a warm hug.
    And then it hits me. Shit! Oh shit! This can’t be happening, right?
    Shit.
    Shit.
    Shit.

    “ T his is my friend , Alice,” Tea introduces me. She’s yet to notice that anything’s amiss.
    “Yes, I know,” he mumbles.
    I stare at Tristan as if we’re locked into some intense staring contest. I feel Tea looking at me, but I can’t bring myself to say anything to her. I don’t even have the energy to break my gaze with Tristan.
    “You know?” Tea turns to him and then back to me. “Alice? What’s going on?”
    “Um,” I start, but my voice cracks. “Tristan’s…my…ex-boyfriend.”
    I pry my eyes from Tristan and turn to Tea. She has an intense look of surprise on her face. It resembles how I feel in this moment. I’m not sure how, exactly, but eventually, I manage to excuse myself and go to my room. I feel like I owe Tea an explanation, but I have nothing to explain. I had no idea that Tristan was the guy that she had been gushing about. This whole situation is an honest mistake.
    For the first fifteen minutes of being in my room, I wait for Tea or Tristan or even Dylan to