I grabbed Autumn’s hand, leading her to the dorm. For the first time ever, I walked freely with a girl on campus. I passed a couple of guys from the house, noticing their strange looks, and only smiled in returned. One day they would find a girl who shied away from the keg; they would spot her sitting quietly, taking everyone in as she hid from the world. They would know she was the one they wanted to spend his time with. The only one. Or maybe they wouldn’t. Who the hell knew?
I couldn’t hide the disappointment on my face when I saw Josie’s smirking face as I walked in Autumn’s dorm room.
“So, it is true?” Her tiny arms crossed her chest, and she shifted her weight to one leg, waiting for an answer she didn’t deserve to know. Autumn looked at me, brow cocked, like ‘what is wrong with this girl?’
“Yep. Autumn just came to change. We’ll be out of your way in no time,” I said, and her face morphed into an unreadable stare.
“That’s hilarious,” she said, without a trace of humor.
“What is?” I asked. Autumn rolled her eyes and I glared at her, hoping she wouldn’t encourage this girl. It wasn’t just Josie, there were a million girls like her across campus. Angry and entitled. She didn’t want me, not really, but she didn’t want Autumn to be with me either. And that was how this type of girl was with every guy. We were supposed to fawn over her, only keeping our eyes glued to her in order to heal her frail ego. All while she teared down girls like Autumn.
“Nothing. I just can’t wait to see how long this last,” she huffed, and started walking from the room. Autumn recovered fast, but the hurt was written all over her face. I balled up my hand, trying to let it go.
“I bet it lasts a lot fucking longer than anything you’ve ever had.”
“Fuck you, Liam! Have fun with him, Autumn. He’s a dick and he’s just using you. You’re just a shiny new toy. He’ll toss you to the side, too!” And with that she stormed from the room, slamming the door as she left. You could have heard a pin drop as we stared at each other.
“Maybe I should call her back and ask her how she really feels about us,” Autumn said, biting her lip to keep from laughing.
I nodded. “Yeah, I think she held some shit back.”
She crossed the space between us, putting her hands on my chest. “What the hell, though? Did you guys have something going on? I won’t get mad.”
“My God, Autumn, no,” I said, unable to hide my laughter. “Did I have a million opportunities? Yes. But I never went for her. Trust me.”
Grinning, she stretched on her tiptoes before placing a soft kiss on my lips. “Good. Because that’s an ex I wouldn’t be able to deal with daily.”
“No worries there, beautiful.”
She skimmed through her small closet, picking out a black sweater. She held it against herself, looking in the mirror. “Why do you think she’s like that to you?”
I sat on Autumn’s bed, rubbing my temples. “It’s not me, really. She’s slept with all the guys…”
“And the guys slept with her, too, Liam. I hope you’re not saying what I think you’re saying,” she said, cocking her head at me.
“No. I’m just saying she did that and brought drama with all of them. I guess I just knew the drama wasn’t worth it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Problem averted, right?”
I laughed once. “She’ll back off. It was the initial shock.”
I watched as this beautifully broken girl tugged her sweater on, smoothing it down. She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it from her face on both sides. I walked up before her, circling her waist, nuzzling my face in her neck before placing a kiss on her skin.
“Not everyone is going to like you, Autumn. You can’t worry about other people,” I said. Her eyes snapped to me.
“What does the high school jock know about that?” She laughed without humor. “Nobody liked me. Still, I can count on one hand how many people like me.”
I spun her around, facing me. “But you let it bother you, and they can see that. Don’t let people like Josie win.”
She looked down, avoiding eye contact. “When did you become so wise?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I always have been, just nobody listened to me.”
Her face twisted into mock horror. “So, I’m the guinea pig? What if your advice is shit?”
“I mean, there’s only one way to find out,” I said, giving her a pointed look until she nodded.
“You might be on to something. I’ll try to stop caring. Happy now?” she asked, looking up at me with hooded eyes.
“I could think of something else that would make me happier…” I whispered, and her face twisted into disgust. She grabbed my hand, yanking me from her dorm room. Chuckling, I followed behind her as she practically dragged me from the building.
“Oh my God. Are we becoming one of those annoying couples that can’t keep their hands off each other and everyone hates?” she asked, coming to a stop.
“I fucking hope we are,” I said honestly. She wouldn’t allow herself to smile, but deep down I knew she wanted to. My Mustang was parked in the closest lot to the dorms. I opened her door for her, and before she could thank me, I slapped her on the ass.
“Such a gentleman,” she started in as soon as I got in the driver’s seat. Her voice oozed sarcasm. “So, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Wow, Liam. I don’t even know what’s in this city, so you can just tell me the name.”
I chuckled. I loved how much she was opening to me and being herself. She was real, and she had the best personality of anyone I had
