What the hell is your problem?
Charlotte's POV
"So you are telling me that you followed my advice and it backfired?" Kate asked as we walked side by side toward the college’s main parking lot after our last class.
"Well, you forgot to mention that I would end up getting turned on too." I gave her a sharp look.
She burst out laughing, drawing attention from other students. "What is the problem if you got laid? I told you either way it would be a win-win."
"I felt good. Really good. I am even having trouble peeing now," I said in a low voice while glancing around to make sure nobody was listening.
"So you are sore? The good kind of sore, huh? I know that feeling, babes. And you are glowing too." Kate never knew when to lower her voice. She did not care about what anyone thought, and I loved that about her.
"But babes, the plan failed," I reminded her.
"You can always try again," she said, raising her eyebrows up and down.
"You just want me to stop walking altogether," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Of course. If the D is good, then take it like the strong woman you are—even if it means limping for a few days." I shook my head and waved at a group of people we knew in the parking lot.
"Why do you not let Loveth be the one to mess up your walking since that seems to be your new thing?" I said, smiling when she gave me the finger.
"Loveth does not keep secrets from me. Otherwise, I would."
Her words hit harder than I expected. I stumbled a little and hugged my books tighter. Luther’s face from this morning flashed in my mind. "I found him just staring off into nothing when I woke up. He was holding his phone like he was ready to break it."
He had not slept, I was sure of it, even though he claimed he woke up just minutes before I did. The dark circles under his eyes and the way a vein pulsed on the side of his forehead told me he was stressed. When I asked him what was wrong, he brushed it off and said I was just overthinking.
"Why not sit him down and talk properly when you get home?" Kate asked.
I shook my head. "He will not talk to me. And it is breaking me. Plus, we finished early today. He is still at work."
It was around noon, and since we only had one business class, we decided to leave instead of hanging around doing nothing.
"I know exactly what you need right now," Kate said while scanning the lot for Loveth’s car. He had skipped class to chill with his male friends, probably having a drink or two.
"I do not want to hear it. I already know it is something ridiculous," I told her, but knowing Kate, she would not stop.
"When have I ever had a stupid idea?" she asked with fake innocence.
"Do you really want me to list them all?" I raised my eyebrows and dropped them again when she laughed softly.
"There is a party off-campus tonight. We have not gone to one in ages," she said with a dramatic groan, bending her knees like she was about to cry.
"No," I said straight away, spotting Loveth’s black Subaru Outback.
"You did not even think about it," she whined as she followed me toward the car.
"Because it is a bad idea, Kate. You will be with Loveth, and I do not want to be the awkward third wheel."
The driver’s seat was open, and Loveth’s right leg was resting outside the car while a low beat of Cardi B’s WAP played.
"You know Loveth will bring the guys. It will be just me and you. I just want you to enjoy yourself like a normal college girl. Right now, that is the only thing I can offer you to take your mind off things. Oh, and did I mention it is a pool party?"
"Did someone say party?" Loveth popped his head out of the car, eyes locked on Kate like he was ready to eat her up. It felt good seeing them finally happy and open about their feelings.
"I was telling Charlotte here that we should go to Abigail’s party tonight," Kate said. The name sounded familiar, probably because Abigail threw the best parties.
"And what did you say?" Loveth asked me.
"You two are exactly the same. Fine, I will go," I said, rolling my eyes as Kate hugged me like a kid who just got a free bag of sweets.
************
The party was in full swing that night, with music booming across the neighbourhood. Drunk students and college girls danced close to the guys, some drinking and smoking without care, others splashing around in the pool. But the more I sat there, the more I realised I did not really belong. Kate was in the pool with Loveth, laughing and having fun, while I just dipped my legs in the warm water at the edge.
“Come on, Charlotte! You are missing all the fun!” Kate shouted over the loud music, splashing water at Loveth.
“I’m fine,” I called back, too drained to shout properly.
Just then, Luther's video call came through. I let out a quiet breath of relief. At least now I had a reason not to join them. I answered the call and adjusted my earpod.
“I have been trying to reach you, babe,” Luther said, then squinted. His face changed quickly, and in seconds, I could see he was not happy.
“Are you at a party?” he snapped, sitting up from his bed.
“Um… yes,” I replied with a shrug.
“You said you were spending the night with Kate,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I am. She’s in the pool,” I explained.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Where are you? I’m coming to get you,” he said, already walking out of his room.
“What do you mean, coming to get me? Am I not allowed to have fun?” I asked, raising my voice slightly. Kate waved at me, but I ignored her.
“You do not get it,” he said sharply. He was clearly upset.
“Hey, beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen you around campus before,” a tall, well-built man swam over to me. He did not even bother to check if I was busy, he just showed up, acting like I owed him my attention.
“Excuse me, I’m in the middle of something,” I replied, eyes still on Luther, whose expression was now filled with anger.
“You better remember that you belong to me,” Luther said darkly, then ended the call. I just stared at the screen, heart pounding.
“Jealous older boyfriend?” the man beside me asked, his voice rough.
“Your brother maybe?” he added. It was clear he did not realise I had no interest in talking to him. He looked too mature to be a student, and something about him made me uneasy.
“Dude, I’m not in the mood for pointless talk. Please leave me alone.” I slipped into the pool, not because I wanted to, but just to get away from him.
“Come on, gorgeous. A girl like you should not be bored at a party like this.” He jumped in after me, still trying to follow me around.
“What the hell is your problem? I told you to back off!” I yelled, catching the attention of a few people nearby.
“You heard her. Leave her alone,” Loveth said, stepping in while a few of his friends moved closer too.
“Relax. You’re so stiff,” the guy muttered. “I was just trying to keep you company. You never know what kind of people are out here.”
I did not know if it was the change in his voice or what he said, but it made my whole body tense. A wave of fear passed through me, tightening my throat and making my chest feel heavy.
“Have you seen him at school before?” Kate asked as we watched him swim to the far side of the pool. He looked familiar, but I could not figure out where I had seen him.
“No. He looks like someone doing a Master’s degree or older. Honestly, I have no idea what he’s doing here when his age group is out clubbing somewhere else,” Loveth replied, pulling Kate closer by the waist. Seeing them made me wish Luther was here, just to hold me.
“Maybe he’s related to Abigail,” Kate said, looking around. I scanned the pool, but he had disappeared.
Part of me was relieved that he had not made a bigger scene. Another part could not shake the sense that something was off. He had brought a feeling that stayed with me, one that made my heart beat faster for all the wrong reasons.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” I said, getting out of the pool. Right now, only alcohol might help me feel a bit more normal.
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