Chapter 3: College Party Fiasco

Nancy’s POV

Carter and I walk to the small off-campus house and enter the loud space. Mark, one of the other veterinary students in our class, invited us to a party at his place tonight. I wasn’t planning on coming but Carter said he wanted to spend some quality time together since we haven’t done that in a while.

We both get red solo cups filled with warm beer and make our way into the small, but less crowded, backyard. There are a couple of empty lawn chairs under a dying tree that we claim.

Carter is wearing his usual baggy shirt and ripped-up jeans. Much like me, he saves as much money as he can because he’s paying for his education all on his own. So spending money on fancy new clothes isn’t an option for him either. His blond hair is pushed off his forehead carelessly, showing off his dark brown eyes and long lashes.

“Do you remember in the 9th grade when Austin Bowers asked you out to homecoming and he ended up showing up with his ex-girlfriend?” Carter asks out of the blue.

“Um, yeah, I guess so.” I chuckle at the oddness. “That’s a pretty random memory.”

“And in the 10th grade, when some jock was picking on you about how your dad will never be able to walk you down the aisle?” He keeps talking like he doesn’t hear my response.

“Um, yeah … I remember that too … What’s the point of this?” I ask, getting a little irritated. We’re in our final year of college, why bring up all these hurtful memories?

“I’m just realizing how awful all the guys around you are.” He looks up from the ground to me with a somber look on his face. “But I’ve always tried my best, even back then, to make sure you know how great you are.”

“Carter, I’m not following. I’m a little confused about whatever you’re saying.” I take a drink of my warm beer.

“I’m saying that I’ll still be here telling you how great you are even after this thing with Ronnie is over. Though I hope you realize he’s not your end game before he hurts you too.” He reaches for my hand and loops our pinkies together.

We used to hold our pinkies together all the time. We said it was like a pinky promise but better because we never let go right away like other people.

“Carter … I’m not sure why you’re so hung up on Ronnie or my love life in general. I haven’t been on a date since high school. I’ve turned down the few dates I’ve gotten over the past three years to focus on my education, and because I knew they weren’t right for me. I have a little bit of time left here before I get to move on to bigger and better things, so let me enjoy the attention of a man whom I don’t get awful vibes from. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything serious, at least I’m having a little fun for a while.” I can’t help my voice raising toward the end.

“Nancy, he's 30 years old! Do you think he looks at you and thinks ‘man, she’s so grown up, and mature, and totally on my level?’ No! He looks at you and sees a young girl struggling through college and dancing in tiny costumes for money!” Carter throws his empty cup on the ground in frustration as he yells.

I pause for a moment, letting his words sink in. “Is that how he sees me or is that how you see me?”

Carter’s shoulders drop in defeat. “Nancy, you know I think the world of you. I have since we met back in our freshman year of high school when you saved my homework from, once again, getting stolen.” He gives me a sad smile at the memory.

“I think you just deserve so much better than some dude you met at your job. Not exactly the best crowd shows up all the time.” He chuckles at what I assume is supposed to be something funny.

“Now I’m dancing in tiny costumes for shady people, got it. I’m leaving before you say anything else that could potentially hurt our friendship.” I shake my head as I walk back into the house. I quickly find a trash bag that isn’t overflowing and throw my cup away.

I hurry through the crowd of people and leave the noisy house. The walk home won’t be terrible; it’s warm out with a nice breeze. Luckily, it’s only a fifteen-minute walk back to campus.

I take my phone out and open my messages to Ronnie. Since the night we were texting about animal facts there’s been some casual conversation, though we haven’t talked since yesterday. But I’m not complaining. I’ve got tests and he’s running a business.

Nancy: You’re not the type to take advantage of broke college girls, are you?

I hover over ‘send’ before deleting the whole message. I’m being ridiculous- Carter’s words mixed with the beer are just messing with my head. Ronnie’s the one who kept a creep from groping me the night we met! A bad guy doesn’t do stuff like that!

My phone buzzes in my hand as I close and lock the dorm up.

Ronnie: Let me take you out tomorrow. 7 pm.

I can’t help the smile that takes over my face.

Nancy: I thought you’d never ask.