Just One Year(2)

Because we had so much room and lived so close to the college, Maura often offered one of our bedrooms to various people traveling through town or students needing to rent a room. Having strangers in my house had never bothered me when I was younger. But now that I’d be attending school with this latest international student, it was going to be weird having him around.

“You’re back late,” my stepmother said as I entered the kitchen that afternoon.

“Yeah. Orientation was stressful. I watched a movie after I left school to get my mind off things.”

Syd’s Theater, the small, independent movie house in my town, was practically empty during the weekdays. My stepmother was convinced the wrong kind of people lurked in there during slow times—like the middle of the day—but that was exactly when I liked going, when I was alone or nearly alone in the place.

She frowned. “I told you to stop going there.”

“It’s fine. No one’s ever bothered me. In fact, I was the only one in there today. No one can bother you if you’re alone. Aside from the floors being sticky, it’s harmless.”

“God knows what’s on that floor that’s making it sticky. And you were all alone? That’s exactly what I mean. You’re an easy target. I have a bad feeling about that place.”

I changed the subject because I didn’t need to have this dumb discussion again. “Did the exchange student arrive?”

Banging a metal spoon against the pot she was stirring, she said, “There’s been a change in plans. Bo Cheng from China is no longer going to be living with us.”

“Why not?”

“Turns out he’s highly allergic to cats. He showed up earlier with all of his stuff and couldn’t stop sneezing. He went back to the school and requested a reassignment.”

My hopes were up. “So, no one’s moving in?”

“They were able to find another student willing to switch with Bo. So now he’s coming instead. He’s supposed to be arriving tonight. I guess he’s packing up his stuff.”

I sighed. “What’s his deal?”

“They didn’t say. It’ll be like unwrapping a present,” she teased.

Feeling anxiety bubble up in my chest again, I headed down to my bedroom and lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, once again appreciative of the sanctuary that was my own space. The screen door that led out to my yard let in a cool breeze. Listening to the rustle of the leaves, I drifted off into a nap.

***

My sister’s voice woke me sometime later. “Come upstairs and meet Caleb!”

Rubbing my groggy eyes, I mumbled, “Who?”

“Caleb. The guy who’s gonna be living with us!”

Ugh.

She plopped onto my bed. “He’s really nice. He’s already fixed my bike. He figured out how to loosen the stuck seat.”

“He’s been here for a while?”

“About an hour and a half. He’s upstairs putting his room together, but Mom just called everyone for dinner. We’re about to start eating. She made spaghetti.”

I looked at the clock. Jesus. It was nearly eight at night.

After my sister skipped back upstairs, I forced myself out of bed and walked over to the mirror. I tied my long, light brown hair back up in a knot. I hadn’t worn my hair down in ages, and makeup wasn’t my thing. Good enough. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone anyway.

Slowly, I made my way up the stairs. As I reached the top, a British accent began to register. I stopped just short of the dining room and lingered around the corner before entering. Why does his voice sound so familiar?

I leaned my head out to take a peek into the room.

No!

Just no!

Why?

It was the chiseled face of the guy who’d judged me in the men’s room today. My stomach sank.

Not the bathroom Brit!

Anyone but him.

He was our new tenant?

My father caught sight of me, thwarting my attempt to hide around the corner. “Teagan! So nice of you to join us.”

I took a few reluctant steps into the dining room.

Caleb turned to meet my shocked eyes. His mouth fell open before curving into an amused smile.

Maura introduced us. “Teagan, this is Caleb.” She grinned. “Caleb, this is our daughter, Teagan.”

“Nice to meet you,” I forced out.

He smirked. “Actually…we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Maura looked between us. “You have?”

Caleb nodded. “We ran into each other today at orientation.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Oh, that’s right. I recognize you now.”

“It was brief…but memorable.” He winked. “Wasn’t it?”

I wanted to smack him from across the table. But instead, I sat, vowing not to say anything further to him.

Throughout dinner, I played with my pasta and avoided making eye contact.

Maura pushed the serving dish closer to him, a silent encouragement to eat up. “So, Caleb, what brings you to the States? I mean, I know you’re studying at Northern, but why did you decide to make that move?”

He took a swig of water. “Well, I took a few years off after high school. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. That’s why at twenty-two, I’m a bit old for a freshman. My uni in England has a partnership with Northern. I was given the option to spend one year here. So, I chose the first year. I figured when else in my life would I get this opportunity?”