THE SIDELINE STORY

Chococat blanket around her frame, popcorn in her lap, book to her left and a TV playing an episode of Silent Library. It wasn’t the way she wanted to spend her Saturday night but frankly she wasn’t about to go anywhere or do anything out in this weather—rain could be heard all throughout the dorm hall and unlike every other night that was filled with bumping bass from the neighboring dorms, and laughing and running down the hallway, it was quieter than usual. Everyone was either already in bed or they were preparing to go. Lucky them. With Chemistry homework due for her afternoon class, she had to get it all done and there wouldn’t be any sleeping for her. At least not for now. She’d have to deal with that though—she knew it was due and she procrastinated.

She popped a kernel between her lips and chewed, as she penciled in another answer, not feeling up to the task of doing her work although she was only two pages to go until completion. Scratching her head only briefly, she adjusted the head scarf that held up the shortened, nearly faded sides of her head. She had decided to do something new since she was coming back to campus for the fall after a year’s hiatus. Much to her mother’s pleasure, she didn’t care what she did. “Cut your hair! Do it—get a tattoo. Hell, get your clit pierced, as long as it means you’re going back to school!” With a shift in her position she just about regretted taking all that advice to heart. It heightened everything, that piercing.

She yawned slowly before she heard the iPhone indication—reaching for it, she yawned before she unlocked the phone and tilted her head at the message. You alone?

With the smallest of smiles and a small warmth in the pit of her stomach she quickly shot a text back. She didn’t know why he’d even ask—he knew she was alone. She sighed as she got up, and went to unlock the door to her dorm. Seeing as her roommate would be a hoe come rain or shine, she was once again alone for the night. At least until he came through.

She closed her book, knowing she wouldn’t be doing anymore studying for the night; she could cram and try to finish in the morning. Running a hand through that bush of curls on top of her head, before she adjusted the wife beater she had on. Finishing her popcorn, she went to throw the bag away, before she heard the doorknob jiggle. She rose an eyebrow as she turned around, sticking out her hip and watching the door open. “So you assume I’m home alone now?” She asked, and she looked up at his stature, not much separating them height wise but he was still nonetheless intimidating.

Big brown eyes staring back at her green ones, a smile tugged at his lips as he shrugged, locking the door.