“What? No music today?” Grant stands next to me, grabbing the notebook before it falls to the ground. He is wearing a pair of running pants with a matching jacket. I wonder how he ended up here at Western; he would have fit in at Drayton, no problem.

“No, I need to focus, but it’s not working,” I whine.

He looks at the notebook. “If you’re a senior, why are you taking Algebra 101?”

“My last school didn’t have a requirement of math for psych majors. Since I transferred, I have to fulfill this year of math if I want to graduate,” I admit, embarrassed.

“Do you want some help?” He motions to the empty seat. I’m pleased he asks permission this time.

“If you can get me to understand this, I will buy you lunch.”

“Deal,” Grant agrees and sits down across from me. He takes my book and notebook, reading the instructions.

An hour and a half later, Grant has done the impossible. I actually semi-understand what he is talking about, even solving the problems on my own.

“Now you owe me lunch.” He stands up, going for his bag.

“Yes I do. Thank you, Grant. You are a lifesaver.” I pack up my bag, slinging it over my shoulder.

“Can I talk you into dinner instead? My treat, of course,” he requests.

“Sorry I can’t, but we can head over to the Student Center now if you want.”

“I will take what I can get,” he agrees.

Grant and I take the elevator down and it’s empty of Brady when the doors open on the main level. I walk with him across the courtyard to the Student Center. We grab a couple of sub sandwiches and sodas and sit down at a table. Just like Brady, Grant doesn’t let me pay. I find out that he is a senior business major and is in a fraternity.

“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Grant takes a sip of his soda, glancing over to me.

“Depends. What is your question?” I ask, hesitant to talk about my personal life.

“How come you didn’t ask Brady for help in math?”

“Um…I don’t know. Why would I?”

“Don’t you know?” He looks at me, surprised. “I assumed you guys were friends.”

“We are…were. It’s complicated. What don’t I know, Grant?” I ask.

“He’s an engineering major. Top of his class, Dean’s List. He’s even a teacher’s assistant in a couple of the undergraduate classes,” he reveals before taking a bite of his sandwich.

“I really just met him last week,” I declare. I realize the only things I know about him are that he’s the lead singer of The Invisibles, drives a Camaro, and makes my stomach fill with butterflies when I hear his voice.

“Just be careful, Sadie. There is a lot about him you don’t know,” Grant says.

“Thanks for your concern, Grant.” I force a smile up to him. Even though I’m mad at Brady, it infuriates me that Grant is talking about him like this. It is none of his business what is happening between Brady and myself.

“It wasn’t my intention to get you mad, Sadie. It’s just…”

“None of your business,” I finish his sentence.

“Sorry.” He puts his head down, finishing his sandwich.

“It’s alright. Let’s just agree to not talk about him,” I try to compromise.

“Sounds good,” Grant agrees.

We finish our lunch and leave the Student Center. I say goodbye to Grant and head toward my dorm.

I’m just past the library, walking up the hill to my dorm when I notice a homeless man lying asleep on the bench by the basketball courts. He is wearing brown corduroy pants and a plaid, flannel, button-down shirt. His brown loafers look old and worn-out, his grey beard looks unkempt, and he is in desperate need of a shower. I dig in my messenger bag, grabbing half of the sandwich I didn’t finish and a water bottle. I take twenty dollars out of my wallet and tuck it inside the sandwich wrapper for him to find. Placing it on the bench next to him, I’m thankful he doesn’t wake up and I continue my walk down the sidewalk to my dorm.

Chapter 6

Brady has called me twice and texted me three times since Saturday afternoon. I have ignored every one of them. Jessa stayed in with me Saturday night and we watched some movies and made popcorn. I was close to telling her my secret, but I just didn’t have the guts to do it. Luckily, she seems okay with it.

I walk down the stairs from Alcove Hall, excited that I understood Algebra today thanks to Grant, when I hear a familiar laugh. Looking down the steps, I see Brady to the right, talking to a couple guys. I glance behind me, wondering if there is another way out, but I have no idea where. Reluctantly, I make my way down the opposite side of the stairs, hopeful he doesn’t notice me. A smile spreads across my face when I get to the last step, assuming I’m safe.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice you?” I startle when he comes up alongside me.

“Hopeful is more like it,” I spurt.

“Why are you dodging me?” He keeps in step with me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.

“I called you this weekend. You never called me back.”

“I’m sure you found someone else to keep you company.” I continue to stare straight ahead while increasing my speed.

“What is that supposed to mean?” His steps speed up to match mine, while his eyes never leave the side of my face.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter anyway, but next time try not to make a girl feel so damn special if all you want to do is get in her pants,” I blurt out, turning toward the courtyard.

“Sadie, you lost me.” He shakes his head.

“Brady. It’s not like we were dating; it just irritated me that it was right after you left me,” I lie. The image of him sleeping with another girl tears me apart.

“Sadie. Just fucking tell me what you are so pissed at,” he demands, his voice rising another octave.

“Well Brady, let’s see. The fact that you pursued me. Tricked me into going to your show and to dinner. Made some plea that there is something between us you have never felt before, but as soon as I don’t give it up, you find someone else to get it from. Did you think Jessa wouldn’t tell me you came home the next morning wearing the same clothes? The funny thing is that she thought you came from being with me,” I reveal, noticing my mistake. I led us to the field that separates the dorms from the academic building, leaving us alone.

“Fuck!” Brady screams, taking his head in his hands. “When are they going to stop fucking with my life?” he murmurs.

“Listen. It’s been nice. Bye, Brady.” I turn around, walking up the hill toward my dorm.

“SADIE!” he yells after me, but I ignore him. He jogs up to me, grabbing my elbow. “Just come with me. We need to talk.” His eyes are mixed with determination and agony at the same time. I have been here before. He is going to tell me it is something else and then I will put my heart on the line, and in a couple months I will find him in bed with someone else.

“No, Brady. Sorry, you had your chance but I can’t risk it,” I respond.

“You’re kidding, right? You never gave me a chance,” he says, upset.

He’s right, I truly never did. It’s just too much. He will break my heart if I allow him in.

“Please Sadie, give me an hour. If nothing changes your mind, then we will part and I won’t bother you again,” he requests. I can’t say no to those gorgeous eyes, so I give him a small nod.

“Thanks.” He releases a deep breath. “Let’s go.” He takes my hand, leading us the opposite way toward Daffodil Hill. I love this area of campus. It is part of the original campus before the college expanded. It is shaped like a bowl with one of the hills filled with daffodils that blossom in the spring. Since fall is already on its way, the grass is green but dry.