-My apologies for any typos! I honestly suck at proof reading.

Chapter Three:Do You Really Need The Extra Large Can of Whipped Cream?

“What do you think? Slutty nurse or slutty french maid?” 

“Neither.”

“But you have to pick one, you can’t be without costume on Halloween.”

“I’m not opposed to costumes, just ones with the word slutty in them.”

Cami sighs and plops down on my desk chair, “You make my job so difficult.” 

I finish typing up an email to my professor and face her, ‘I never gave you the job description of ‘help Tessa get rid of the crazy hoes who are superglued to her boyfriend.’ Besides, I don’t think I could pull off those looks, right Sarah?”

My roommate Sarah as the total opposite of Cami in the way that she’s really shy around new people. It was a really awkward experience for the both of us to be sharing the same small space the first couple of weeks of moving into the dorm. But one night I heard her fighting with her boyfriend on the phone and tried to console her, we had a heart to heart abusing all men on the planet and soon got along great. She’s  a Texan, absolutely gorgeous with her big brown eyes and curly dark hair but looking at her it’s easy to tell that she’s not aware of that. With me, she’s started coming out of her shell and opening up but I’m starting to think Cami terrifies her. 

She pokes her head up from the textbook in her lap and and glances towards Cami who’s watching her intently and that can be pretty intimidating but Sarah squares her shoulders and declares, “I think you should wear the costume Cole got you, it’ll definitely keep the hoes away.” 

I nearly double over when I hear the word hoe coming from her prim and proper mouth, the girl wears a pearl necklace to class for god’s sake! But I definitely appreciate the support and grin at her. 

“I know right? Why be a slutty anything when I have the greatest costume ever in my possession already?”

“Wait what costume? Why have I not heard of this?” 

In the three weeks that I’ve come to know her, it’s become apparent that Cami’s the kind of person who fits into your life so seamlessly that it feels like they’ve always been there. I have no objections to her suddenly being a big part of life because it doesn’t seem like she’s imposing. 

“Because I really like it and I didn’t want you to take your scissors to it.”

“But…but can’t I at least see?” 

“You will in a couple of minutes,” I tell her as my phone blinks with a text and a huge smile comes across my face. “just a slightly different version of it.” 

She’s confused and Sarah blushes because she actually knows what’s going on and the presence of a certain male always makes her flustered. 

Right on cue, someone knocks on the door and I rush to open it, flinging my textbooks aside. Outside I see Cole in all his sweaty glory and kiss him quickly on the lips before dragging him inside.

“Hello ladies,” 

Both of them, no matter how different turn into giggling pre-teens as my boyfriend directs his blinding smile towards them. 

Cami sits up straighter and Sarah tries to cover up the fact that there’s a huge Tweety bird on her bed, sent to her by her boyfriend a couple of days ago. I almost laugh at how nervous they are given the fact that they see Cole all the time.

When all he gets is star struck smiles and a partly manic wave, Cole turns to me and gathers me in his arms. “You all set?“

We’re going home this weekend because it’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve seen our families.  It’s also the only week Megan and Alex can come down and visit so it seems as good of a time as any. Cole and I have also been struggling to find some time to spend together and this feels like the perfect time. Even though being on campus has started growing on me and I’ve met people I get along with, there’s an excitement coursing through me at the prospect of being home and with my friends.

Yes, the same town that I couldn't wait to run from is now home, strange times indeed. 

Telling the girls goodbye, Cole and I walk to his car that’s parked outside my dorm. Now that Cami’s made me aware of it, I do how much people stare at us when we’re together. Half of the time I’m trying to figure out whether they’re looking at Cole and having the obvious reaction to his enormous presence or whether they’re looking at me and thinking why he’s with me. But I need to constantly remind myself to not think about other people and not allow them to affect my relationship, I’d made that mistake before and it wasn’t happening again. 

Cole is oblivious to my mental tug of war and is unaware of the number of eyes following us. I only breathe easier once we’re in the car, having loaded our things. When we finally pull away from campus, I relax and let Travis know we’re on our way. 

***

“So my parents were wondering if you’d have dinner with us tomorrow. Do you have any plans with your dad?” 

Cole’s hand rests on my knees as he drives and it’s exhilarating to know that he finds ways to touch me whenever he’s near. I lean back in my seat, put my book aside and hum contently.

“No, well not anything formal. I’ll have dinner with him tonight but I’m pretty sure he’ll be with his girlfriend tomorrow.”

I don’t even cringe at the word girlfriend anymore. My father is honest to god trying to be a better man and it’s good for him to be with someone other than the vicious person my mother has become. This someone may be over ten years younger than him and possibly be after his money but hey at least he’s back in the game. 

“Great, I’ll tell them to keep their hands to themselves and not embarrass me.”

I smack his arm, “Your parents are cute and crazy in love ! It gives me hope for the future so don’t you dare say anything.” 

He grins at me, “You’re hoping I’ll be like my dad, a romantic sap in about twenty years time?”

I don’t let on how much happiness I get from the fact that he always talks about our future so assuredly. “You’re a romantic sap now, I doubt that’ll ever change.”

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me.” 

“And you say your dad is mushy, jeez.” 

But he’s so perfect and I doubt he can’t see the big fat smile on my face. As always my eyes go to the charm bracelet on my wrist, a birthday present from Cole. Amidst other things on there that symbolize our relationship there’s also a ring charm, subtle enough to not make me freak out but still a constant reminder of where he sees us going and I’m so on board. 

“So Jay’s going to be there as well.” Cole tells me quickly and I smile thinking about his step brother, my friend and former crush. Jay and I don’t have the best history and our friendship is tentative at best but he was around during a tough time in my life, when I thought Cole had cheated on me. He was there as a constant support and I do feel like I owe him for that, regardless of our past. 

“That’s nice, I haven’t seen him for months.” 

Cole grunts, things are still a bit tense between him and Jay. Not as bad as they were before, back when Cole thought I would forever be in love with his brother and that he would come second. It took a lot of time and convincing to show him that what I felt for Jay was never love and that what I feel for him is infinitely stronger. Of course he doesn’t doubt my feelings now, at least I hope so but he still thinks Jay wants me which of course leads to things being really awkward in the Stone household. 

“He texts you enough to not let that be a problem.”

Once, just once Cole caught a text from Jay and he’s taken it to mean that we’re the best of buds. Yes, Jay does send the occasional text asking me how I’m doing and I give the acceptable reply and that’s the end of it. But trying to convince Cole is about as useful as playing tennis with a brick wall.

“Do you really want to go there? Need I remind you of the number of girls that text you because they need your help with their ‘homework’?”

 “Come on, they have my number on the class roster, how am I supposed to stop them?”

“Exactly! How can I just ask Jay to stop texting me? We’re…friends.”

“But he wants more.”

“He’s a baseball player in college for Christ’s sake, it’s not like he’s going to be lacking female attention and pining for me.”

“You seriously underestimate yourself don’t you? If I were in his place and I thank my lucky stars that I’m not, I’d do everything in my power to make you mine.”

I blush, even after all this time I blush. Placing my palms against my cheeks, I feel how heated they are and look over to Cole who’s looking at me with an intensity in his eyes that makes my skin feel like it’s on fire. 

“What?” I ask, feeling a little breathless

“I just really love you, you know that right?”

I place my hand over his on my knee and squeeze it,

 “Yeah I do and I love you too.” 

***

When we get home it’s around six in the evening and Cole drops me off at my house, telling me he’ll be back in around fifteen minutes. I  let myself into my empty home but with a stocked fridge courtesy the housekeeper. Now in my room, I’m sifting through my clothes and trying to find something good to change into when I’m attacked from both sides by what feels like twin poster children for a Chanel perfume and the next thing I know, I’m lying on the floor, the air being squeezed out my lungs by two very over enthusiastic huggers.

“Guys! Can’t breathe here.” I choke as my best friend continue to shriek and laugh. The lack of oxygen stops mattering and soon I crack up too as Megan and Beth roll onto either side of me.

“What was that?” I ask between laughs

“An ambush.” 

“Our strategy was to barge in with our eyes closed so that we wouldn't catch you and your man with his hands all over you.”

“Hey! We do have some restraint you know.” We were all laughing breathlessly at this point for no reason and it’s the best feeling ever. I stretch my arms on either side so that I’m giving them both a one armed hug, “God I’ve missed you guys.” 

Because Cole doesn't show up immediately I know he’s giving me space with my friends which I appreciate a lot. Skyping is never the same as being in the presence of these two and now that we’re back to those days when we’d just sit on my bed and talk for hours, it feels like we were never that far away from one another. 

“I didn’t think it was possible to laugh that much.” Megan clutches her stomach as falls onto her back on the bed. “Did that really happen?”

Beth snorts, “Yes, I almost beat the shit out of my boyfriend because he tried to spoon me. In my defence I’d worked a twelve hour shift and was completely knocked out when Mr. I-like-cuddling-unsuspecting-people tried to make a move on me.”

My eyes start to water at the image, of course Travis hadn’t mentioned that Beth had given him a black eye. 

“Well at least you get to spend the night with your boyfriend. Alex and I hardly ever get to do that with our roommates around.” 

I hadn’t quite realised how lucky I am that Cole found an apartment and didn't live in the dorms because given the struggle we have now to spend time together, it’d be a nightmare if that were the case.

“But you guys still find time to hangout right?” 

Alex plays for the state university’s football team and if anyone knows and understands the pressures of dating a jock it’s Megan. I’ve confided in her a lot because Beth tends to dismiss my insecurities as being stupid. I like to think that if she’d been with Travis in high school, she’d understand my situation much better. 

“It’s really hard to find time between studying and work but we make it work. Alex is…,” she sighs dreamily, “He’s perfect for me. I never thought a guy would put up with how neurotic I can get about school but he’s so understanding. I know how frustrated he feels when I cancel plans because I need to complete a paper, edit an essay, study for a test whatever but he never shows it, even if I miss a game. So we’re okay, we’re going to be okay.” 

We’re quite for a bit, trying to process the seriousness of the moment and trying to process how far we’ve come. At this point last year I was struggling to come to terms with my feelings for Cole, still held back by the opinions of other people and haunted by my abandonment issues. My friends suffered right alongside me, for something they never deserved to be punished for but they stuck by me. We’re at such different places right now but it feels like the only thing that’s changed is how we feel about ourselves. 

“Wow, who would’ve thought we’d have relationships much less relationship problems.” Beth echoes my thoughts. “Who knew I’d not only fall in love with someone but end up moving in with him too, it’s crazy.” 

“But crazy good right? I’ve never seen you or my brother happier.” I hug me knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. The charms in my bracelet glitter under the lights and I’m blinded once again with the sight of the ring. 

“I am, you know happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Sometimes it feels too good to be true, yeah I had a rough year and it’s still difficult to remember to breathe at times.” She stops, blinks rapidly trying to get rid of her tears like she always tries to do. Beth’s mom passed away in a drunk driving accident over six months ago and despite the fact that she doesn’t like talking about it, we know she still battles guilt over her death every single day since it happened. My brother’s been really good for her, he knows a lot about using communication as a means to fight those feelings of helplessness and he’s definitely done a great job of making Beth be at peace with what happened. 

She clears her throat and chucks a pillow at me, “Now that you’re done psycho-analysing me, tell me about these Yolandas that seem to be sucking the joy right out of you.” 

It feels a bit petty now to whine about something that doesn’t really require whining. I need to remind myself about how lucky Cole and I are to have each other and to have the opportunity to be together, so the Yolandas can keel over and die, I ain’t bothered. 

“Wait, who’s Yolanda?” 

We turn our heads to see Cole and Travis standing at the door. Ignoring Cole’s question, I run over and hug my brother tightly, I’d missed him so badly especially these last few days. 

“So good to see you Tess.” He hugs me back before we release each other. Looking at him just fills me with warmth and a sense of family and home.

“I just can’t get over you not living here.” It feels so weird, even though it shouldn’t. He’s twenty-two now, more than old enough to live with his girlfriend and not under his parent’s room. And even though I’m not home most of the time,  it feels so strange to come here and not have him in the room down the hall. 

“I think we should both be glad that I’m not down the hall anymore.”

It doesn't come as a surprise when Cole and I both hit him and Beth throws yet another pillow. 

***

The girls and I go out to the local grocery store to stock up on our favourite items for our sleepover. Five bags of junk food and a handful of DVD’s later we’re setting up in my bedroom when I hear Cole call for me. He’s been out with Travis and Alex, presumably doing guy stuff. I dare not suggest he include Jay in his plans. 

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Cute PJ’s Tessie.” 

Yes, they’re the Scooby-Doo ones I still get horribly embarrassed in in front of Cole. There are somethings your boyfriend doesn't need to see you wearing, pyjamas which make you look twelve would be one of them. 

“I thought you were spending the night at Travis’s?” I walk down the stairs cautiously as he extends his hand towards me. When I reach him, he pulls me closer and tucks me under his chin. I have a feeling I’m not about to hear the greatest news. 

“You know how we have a really important game next week?”

Uh oh. 

“Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say.” I start to pull away but he only holds on tighter. 

“You know I don’t want to leave right? But the guys want to practice, watch tapes. They have these unofficial practices all the time and…”

“You have to go.” I try not sounding angry. It’s okay, I mean it’s not like we won’t see each other again come Monday. But that’s the thing, we haven’t been able to see each other a lot, not with his crazy practice schedule and me trying to keep up with my classes. I wanted to have this weekend so that we could catch up and that I would be able to get rid of this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach but clearly that’s not going to happen.

“Do you have to go now?”

“Yeah, all day tomorrow as well.” He bites his lip and looks at me worriedly, afraid that I’d freakout but hey, talking to Megan has made me try and deal with this situation differently. Instead of being mad, I’ll be cool, calm and collected.

Because that’s just who I am right?

“Oh okay, I’ll get Travis to give me ride then.” 

“No! I wasn’t going to just leave you here. I’ll come back for you on Sunday, we can go together.”

I move away from him and lean against a wall, crossing my arms over my chest protectively.

“You’ll be tired and it’s pointless for you to make the same trip four times. I’ll manage.”

“No,” he comes closer, cups my cheek in his hand. “You’re mad, please don’t be mad. I can come take you, it’s…” 

“Not a big deal Cole,” I force a smile and place a hand against his chest, silently pushing him away. “Duty calls. You have to go and I don’t want you to have to worry about me so go. I’m not mad, I just think this is a good thing right? I get to spend some more time with the girls.” 

He backs away and has the nerve to look wounded. 

“If that’s what you want then yeah, just let me know if you need the ride.” 

Still looking hurt he walks away from me, towards the front door and I feel like I should say something to try and salvage this disaster. 

“Am I still having dinner with your parents tomorrow?” I call out in a moment of utter stupidity.

“Do whatever you want Tessie.”

He slams the door when he leaves.

Jesus Christ, what am I even doing right now?

***

“That did not sound good.” Beth stands by my door with a hand placed on her hip, looking quite intimidating.

“Did you guys hear all of it?”

“Well you weren’t exactly being subtle. What the hell was that about?” 

“Nothing, it was stupid. He wanted to come pick me up on Sunday and I didn’t because gas is expensive you know?” I feel the hysteria building up inside me. “We’re good.”

“And are we just supposed to overlook the fact that you’re shaking like crazy or that Cole slammed the door so loud your next door neighbour heard the noise?” Megan grabs my trembling palm to show me.

“I said it’s nothing. We fight at times, all couples do right?” 

“Yeah they do but Cole goes the extra mile to try and not let that happen, not after everything. So what’s this about?” 

Deep breaths Tessa, just don’t have a panic attack and we’ll be fine. 

“I…I…try so hard to keep up with the person he’s becoming, the person other people think he is. Most of the time it feels like they’d do anything to get rid of me and