And maybe Jordan wasn’t that bad. I mean, she’d realized that she needed to pick up her mess and she’d done it…almost. It could work between us.
I went back to unpacking. Like I said. I didn’t have that much. My clothes went into the closet or in the dresser beside my bed. My toiletries went into the bathroom. I didn’t think our suitemates were slobs, but four girls, two sinks, and one counter did make for a lot of clutter. My laptop went on my desk where the DSL connection would keep me connected to the world. I put a few odds and ends on shelves nailed to the wall over my desk and placed my alarm clock on my desk next to the computer so it was near my bed for easy reach.
I looked at my watch. It was already seven. The sun was setting. I thought about calling Nick, but I guess I was being a little stubborn, hoping he’d call me.
This was insane. I grabbed my phone, slipped it into the pocket of my cargo shorts, along with my key, and headed out the door. A few people were in the hallway, and I sorta felt like I was walking a gauntlet.
“Hey!” girls said, as I passed.
The conversations were all the same. Name. Town. State. Laugh. First time? Yes. No. Just the facts, ma’am. And on I walked.
I got to the end of the hallway where the advisor’s room was. A girl with spiked black hair was standing in the doorway.
“’Ello!” she said. “And who might you be?”
No doubt. She was Zoe (London, England).
“I’m Megan.”
“Meg! It’s great to meet you.”
“Megan.”
“Oh, a purist, eh? I’m Zoe.” She pointed to the sign. “Floor advisor. Come to me if you have any problems, luv.”
Her accent was delicious.
“I was going to take a walk by the lake.”
“Brilliant! It’s lovely out. Just don’t forget about the curfew. One o’clock and we lock everything up.”
I laughed. “No way will I be out until one.”
“Don’t be so sure; it gets addictive. Especially when a hottie catches your fancy.”
She was probably only a couple of years older than I was. I thought I could have been content to spend all night talking with her, but I did want to take that walk, so I headed out.
Down the elevator, through the lobby, out the front door. I walked along the sidewalk that went around the building until it ended at the sand. I kicked off my sandals and walked toward the water. I touched the water’s edge with the tips of my toes. It was freezing!
And Jordan had gone out to buy a bathing suit? My roomie was a crazy girl.
I sat down on the sand, drew my legs up to my chest, and wrapped my arms around my knees. I hadn’t expected to be homesick after just one day. I was sorta wishing Sarah hadn’t called. Who would have thought that I’d miss her squabbling with Mom?
I took my cell phone out of my pocket and willed it to ring. Now I was being as stubborn as my sister, but I guess the truth was, Nick had hurt my feelings a little bit. I mean, here I was going on an adventure, and he didn’t want to share it with me.
Not the actual coming here. I really did get why he couldn’t just pack up and leave his job. But when I’d gone shopping for the things I’d need, like new clothes, he had no interest in going with me. When I researched on the Internet to figure out how inconvenient it would be not to have a car, he didn’t care about my findings. It was like Thrill Ride! or anything to do with it was totally off-limits, as far as a topic of conversation.
Surly. That’s how he’d get. I’d read the word in novels, but had never actually seen anyone who was surly. Nick had been.
“This sucks big time,” he’d said last night.
We were sitting in his car in my driveway. He’d taken me to dinner at Outback to celebrate my birthday.
“Let’s not say good-bye tonight,” I said. “Take me to the airport in the morning.”
“Why? It’s just putting off the inevitable.”
“But it’s more romantic at an airport.”
“I don’t see how. I wouldn’t be able to go to the gate with you because of all the security stuff. We’d have to say good-bye outside the metal detectors. What’s romantic about that?”
I’d sighed. “Well, then, I guess we’ll say good-bye now.”
“Yeah.” He’d put his arm around me, drew me up against his side. “I’m sorry, Megan. It’s just that I had plans for this summer, plans that included you and me, getting really close.” He touched his forehead to mine. “You know?”
And I did know. He’d been pushing for us to take our relationship to the next level, but I wasn’t ready yet. I mean I loved him, I was sure I did, but right now I was happy just kissing and snuggling.
I angled my face for easier access and kissed him. His arms tightened around me.
“God, I’m going to miss you, Megan. I don’t know how I’ll survive.”
That’s what a girl wanted to hear. Deep devotion. But it was only three months, and not all at once. I’d be back halfway through the summer for the wedding. And didn’t absence make the heart grow fonder?
Then Nick was seriously kissing me, hard, our teeth clicking, like he thought he could save our kisses or something. I pulled back. “Nick! Don’t be so…eager.”
“Most girls would like to be wanted as much as I want you.”
“But you were bruising my lips.”
“Sorry. Do you have to go?”
“You know I do. I gave them my word.”
And that’s when he started to sulk. It suddenly got really cold in the car, a drop in temperature that had nothing to do with the air surrounding us, and it frightened me a little to think that I might lose him, but it also frightened me to think that I was making my decisions based on what was best for Nick, rather than what was best for me.
“Look, I’m not begging you to leave Hart’s,” I said. “I understand that you have a commitment there. Well, now I have a commitment.”
“Thought you were committed to me.”
I groaned. “Nick, it’s only for the summer.”
“You don’t even act like you’re going to miss me.”
“Of course I’m going to miss you.”
I was already missing him. It was like he’d gone away from the moment I’d first told him about my summer plans.
Maybe that’s the reason I was now sitting on the shores of Lake Erie feeling lonely. We hadn’t kissed good-bye. We’d barely said good-bye.
This was supposed to be a fun, exciting excursion. I didn’t want to feel guilty about being here.
Bad news. I did.
Chapter 4
On the way back to my room, I stopped off at the vending machines and bought some peanut-butter crackers and a Mountain Dew, my favorite snack.
But my first night away from home, out on my own, and this was how I celebrate? Vending machine?
At least it was cheap, leaving me lots of money for another night. By the time I got to my room, it was almost nine o’clock. I didn’t realize that I’d sat by the lake for so long. Jordan was back, the room was tidied up, but it was no less crowded. We had guests.
“Roomie!” Jordan exclaimed as soon as I walked in. “Meet our suitemates: Alisha, Washington, D.C., and Lisa, Toronto, Ontario. Is it not totally cool that everyone is a name and a place? It’s awesome to think of all the different people we’ll meet. The places they’ll come from. Totally wild experiences.”
Alisha had short, black hair, dark eyes, and a milk-chocolate complexion. She was Halle Berry gorgeous. Lisa had curly red hair, an abundance of freckles, and an impish smile. Not to be mean, but she reminded me of a leprechaun.
“I was just telling them that they could use my fridge in the bathroom,” Jordan said.
“You have a fridge?” I asked.
“Well, yeah! This is like dorm life, you know. Before I left home, Parker told me everything I’d need. I’ve got a microwave, too.”
She patted the microwave sitting on her dresser. When had she moved in the appliances?
I had a feeling that my roommate was going to be a constant source of surprises.
“We’re all newbies,” Jordan said. “None of us have ever worked here before.”
“Which I think puts us on the take-what-you-get list as far as positions at the park goes,” Alisha said.
“Hey, everyone, let’s sit down, let’s talk,” Jordan said. She promptly dropped to the floor.
The dorm rooms had no chairs other than the straight-backed ones at the desks. Hardly comfortable. The rest of us sat on the rug with Jordan.
“Okay, so,” she said with excitement, like someone who was in charge of a field trip, “what did everyone request as a job?”
“Rides,” Lisa and I said at the same time. Then we smiled at each other. The choices were rides, concession, entertainment, mascot, gift shop.
“I put it in for mascot. Since I’m a cheerleader, I figured it was a natural spot for me,” Jordan said. “What about you, Alisha?”
I was so not surprised to discover that Jordan was a cheerleader. Probably head cheerleader at that.
“Entertainment.”
“Totally cool! What do you do?”
Alisha looked slightly embarrassed. “A little dancing, singing. I actually want to be an actress.”
“Awesome!” Jordan said.
“You’ll have to try out, won’t you?” I asked.
“Yeah. I actually have an audition tomorrow afternoon after orientation.”
“You’ll get a spot on the stage,” Jordan said, complete confidence in her voice.
“How do you know?” Alisha asked, not sounding quite as confident.
“Positive thinking. Works every time. It’s all about the vibes you put out there. Just go in there tomorrow thinking, ‘This spot is mine.’ You’ll get it guaranteed. I’m certain that I’m going to get to be Thumbelina.”
Thrill Ride! had all kinds of fairy-tale characters in costume, wandering around throughout the park to entertain kids.
My stomach rumbled. The three girls looked at me, and I held up my crackers and drink. “Dinner.”
“You’re kidding,” Jordan said. “You gave up dinner with me for that?”
I shrugged. “I ended up walking along the beach until it got dark. And since I don’t have a car—”
“I do. Want me to take you somewhere?” Jordan asked.
I was grateful for her offer, but it really seemed like an imposition. “No, but thanks. I’m fine tonight.”
“The hotel actually has this little mini mall, food court area,” Alisha said. “Lisa and I had pizza over there tonight.”
“It was pretty good,” Lisa said. “They’re open until eleven.”
“Then let’s go!” Jordan said.
Alisha laughed. “You have way too much energy, girl.”
“Really, guys, thanks,” I interjected. “But y’all have eaten and I’m tired. Think I’m just going to have a few crackers, give my boyfriend a call—”
“You have a boyfriend?” Alisha asked.
I felt myself blushing. “Yeah.”
“Does he work here?”
“No, he has a job back home, so he couldn’t come.”
“Bummer.”
“Yeah.”
Boy, was I a conversational genius tonight or what? I just couldn’t seem to get over this bout of self-consciousness I was feeling, or maybe I was simply subconsciously really upset that Nick hadn’t bothered to call.
No subconsciousness about it. I was bothered.
There was still a lot of excitement in the air as our suitemates said goodnight and exited through the bathroom into their room.
“Aren’t they great?” Jordan asked, but it was more an exclamation than a real question.
“Yeah.” There I was, Miss-Stuck-on-One-Word.
“This is going to be the absolute best summer ever,” she said.
“Absolutely.” Finally, I seemed to have moved beyond my stuck word.
“So what’s your boyfriend like?” Jordan asked.
“He’s wonderful, he’s…” How to describe him?
“It must have been hard to leave him.”
“Definitely.” My vocabulary was increasing. I lifted my phone. “I’m going to call him now.”
“Oh, sure! Sorry, didn’t mean to keep you from it. I’m going to get ready for bed.” She gathered up her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
I sat on my bed and stared at my phone. We were in the same time zone. It was almost ten now. Not too late to call.
My phone rang and I nearly dropped it. My chest tightened with joy. Nick!
“Hello?”
“Hey, Megan.”
“I was just about to call you.”
“Really?” He sounded relieved, like maybe he was as insecure with how we’d left things last night as I was.
I settled back against my pillow, smiling. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry about last night. I’m not going to see you for almost two months, and I didn’t even give you a proper kiss. I’m a total jerk.”
My heart just melted. Nothing like an apology to make everything all right with the world.
“I could use a kiss right about now,” I said.
He made smacking noises, and I started laughing. When he stopped, I said, “Thanks, Nick. I needed to know you weren’t still mad at me.”
“I actually went to the airport this morning, to say good-bye.”
“You did?” My heart was expanding.
“Yeah, but since we’re not related, security wouldn’t let me through to the gate.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No biggie. I’ll be waiting at baggage claim when you get back for the wedding.”
“Oh, Nick.” I felt tears sting my eyes. I could turn into a puddle of emotion so easily. It really didn’t take much.
“Don’t suppose you’ll come back tomorrow?” he asked.
“I can’t, Nick.”
“All right. Love ya, Megan.”
“Love you, too.”
He made a few more kissing sounds; so did I. Then we hung up. I held my cell phone close against my chest, like it would bring me nearer to Nick. It was going to be all right, being away from him for a while. People survived long-distance relationships all the time.
Jordan came out of the bathroom. “How’d it go?” she asked.
I smiled. “Good. He misses me.”
“Sounds like a perfect boyfriend.”
She would know. At last count, I think she had at least three. Or maybe they were just boys who were friends. It happened.
I changed into my sleeping boxers and tank and crawled into bed. Jordan turned off the light.
Then I just lay there in the dark, in a room that wasn’t my bedroom with someone who I’d only met a few hours before. It was kinda strange, and I wondered if I’d even be able to sleep with a stranger in the room.
“Are you scared, Megan?” she asked, suddenly.
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. Just being out on your own.”
“Yeah, a little, but I figure next year after I graduate and go off to college I’ll be on my own for real.”
“You’re a senior?”
“Yep.”
“Me, too. So what made you decide to come here?” she asked.
“Honestly?”
“Yeah.”
“My sister, Sarah, is getting married July fifteenth, and it was driving me crazy to be around while she and my mom planned the wedding.”
“Really?” I heard a tinge of excitement in her voice. “Like what were they doing?”
“Well, for starters, Sarah wanted to be married in a park, Mom wanted her married indoors. Mom won, since in July it’s hot beyond belief in Texas.”
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
“Then they were arguing about how big to make the wedding party, what color the bridesmaids’ dresses should be—Sarah wanted black.”
“What’s wrong with black?”
“Mom says i
t’s taboo for a wedding.”
“I see people in black at weddings all the time.”
“Apparently my mom hasn’t. That one had them yelling. Mom said she wasn’t paying for a funeral. They argue about everything. They can’t agree on the simplest of things. I’m definitely eloping.”
“Me, too, I’m going to Vegas and getting married by Elvis.”
I laughed. “Are you really?”
“Either that or never getting married.”
“I don’t know that I could take my marriage vows seriously if they were overseen by Elvis, but I definitely want small and away from home.”
“They marry people here.”
I stared into the darkness. “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah. They have this little park with a bridge. It’s kinda neat.” She yawned. “Probably see it tomorrow when they take us on a tour of the place. Parker says he’s getting married on a roller coaster. He is so crazy.”
“Sounds like.”
“This is his third summer here, so he’s already working. He actually oversees Magnum Force. That’s the tallest, fastest roller coaster. He has to ride it every morning before the park opens. I’m going to go ride it with him in the morning. Want to come?”
Ride Magnum Force? I don’t think so.
“Uh, thanks, but we have orientation.”
“We’re going to ride at six, so we’ll be back in plenty of time.”
“I can’t do rides on an empty stomach. Besides, I have some things I have to take care of in the morning.”
“Okay. Whatever.” She yawned again. “’Night.”
“’Night.”
I heard her bed creak as she rolled over. I should have been tired. It was late and I’d left home early that morning. But my mind was reeling with the possibilities. I really hoped that I didn’t get assigned to one of the roller coasters. There were like fifteen or so. It had never occurred to me that I’d have to actually get on the ride where I worked.
Geez. That would be disastrous because I absolutely, no way, could get on a roller coaster.
Only 55 Nick-less days to go, and counting….
Chapter 5
As it turned out, I could have slept without worries. As a matter of fact, I might have even welcomed riding a roller coaster.