Shelly’s looking at me with her mouth hanging open. I take her hand and lead her from the floor. “Come on let’s get something to drink. I’m sweaty.”
Her mouth’s still gaping but the corners are curled up into a smartass grin. “Holy hell, that was the closest thing I’ve ever seen to two people having sex fully clothed.”
She makes me laugh. “What? We were just dancing.”
“That was not dancing. That was sexy as hell. You’ve got to teach me.”
So, I do. And Shelly’s a quick learner. An hour later and she has me wondering who it was that said they couldn’t dance. Put a little alcohol in Shelly and all her inhibitions fly out the goddamn window.
By 1:00am Shelly and I are exhausted and decide it’s time to get home. It takes us a while to find Clayton because the dance floor is still so packed. We find him dancing with the same guy who lured him away from me earlier, like three hours ago. Clayton’s shirt is damp with sweat. I feel awful when I tell him we need to leave and I feel even worse when Mr. Cheekbones pulls Clayton’s adorable little face to his and thoroughly kisses him when Clayton tells him goodbye. But I feel a little better when he writes his phone number on Clayton’s hand and kisses him again before Clay takes my hand in his and we walk away.
I wait until we’re outside on the sidewalk to give Clay a congratulatory high five and hug. “Dude, that was one hot kiss, my friend. I’m kind of jealous.” I’m not jealous, really. I’m happy as hell for Clayton.
Clayton floats down the sidewalk to the car on a wave of pure bliss. “This has been the best night of my entire life.” He’s glowing.
Shelly nods her head. “I had no idea dancing could be so much fun.” And just as quickly her eyes darken and her badass voice returns. “Don’t you dare tell anyone I said that, Kate. I have a reputation to uphold.”
I swipe my finger across my chest twice. “Cross my heart. What happens at Spectacle, stays at Spectacle.” I look to Clayton and point at Shelly. “Did you see my girl out there?”
He shakes his head and closes his eyes. “Sorry, I was little preoccupied.”
“She’s the f**king dancing queen.”
Clayton smiles the most adorable little smile. “I thought I was the dancing queen.”
Shelly laughs. She has a great laugh. “The title is all yours, Clayton.”
Even though I’m wiped out, this night was entirely worth it.
Tuesday, September 6
(Kate)
Almost a week of uneventful, perfectly happy life has gone by when I return home from a late run on the treadmill at the campus fitness center to find the red ribbon tied on my doorknob again.
Clayton is the ever gracious host once more. After I shower he insists I borrow a pair of his pajamas to sleep in. And they’re not even that big on me.
Now I feel like Hugh Hefner.
He also bought me my very own toothbrush and toothpaste just in case this happened again. He presented them to me with a Ziploc bag so I could store them away after use and keep them in his desk.
Clayton’s the best.
Wednesday, September 7
(Kate)
I’m at Grounds unusually early this morning. I was restless and couldn’t stay cooped up inside the dorms any longer, so I decided to go for a short run. Predictably, that run ended at the source of my early morning addiction. There’s a chill in the air this morning and I’m a little sweaty after the workout, so I sit on a bench just outside Grounds with my arms wrapped around me. I’m listening to classical on my iPod and reading the local newspaper I found on their front step. It’s perched on my lap so I don’t have to hold it and I can keep my hands tucked up in my sleeves. Even with a T-shirt and a sweatshirt on, I’m cold. It’s 5:45am. They open at 6:00. I’ve been here since 5:30.
There’s a knock on the glass behind me. Keller is motioning toward the front door. When the door opens and the bell thunders I barely notice—that’s progress.
“Morning, Katie.” He looks tired. He’s unshaven and his dark hair stands out in every direction, like he’s just rolled out of bed. It’s a little on the long side, like he’s overdue for a haircut. And his eyes are still hooded in sleep, but the color is no less striking under half-drawn lids. Their blue matches the
T-shirt he’s wearing almost exactly. Despite everything, or maybe because of it, he looks really, really good.
I smile. He remembered my name. “Good morning Keller.” I hand him the newspaper. “Here’s your paper. I looked it over. No major scandal in Grant to report this morning, but there’s a sale on ground beef at Sam’s Meat Palace if you’re interested. Oh, and Our Lady of Eternal Light is having a spaghetti dinner Saturday night from 5:00-7:00 to raise money for renovations to the basement gathering room.”
His crooked smile emerges and falls into a slight grimace. He shakes his head slightly as if the hint of movement made his head hurt. “That’s too much information for 5:45 in the morning, Katie.”
“The world doesn’t stop because you’re sleeping … or hungover.”
His smile evens out as he puts on his apron behind the counter. “Touché. Just tired. Up all night studying.” He looks at me for a few seconds. I realize that I’m smiling like an idiot. I can’t help it. “Are you always this happy in the morning?”
I shrug. “It’s a genetic flaw. But, I’ve been up for a few hours. Couldn’t sleep.” I’ve been trying to get extra sleep lately, but some nights I just can’t get comfortable and sleep evades me. I’m more tired than I ever remember being.