The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(9)

His hazel orbs fill with silent laughter at my response, but his broad smile lessens into a crooked grin as he assesses me from afar. Once I regain mental capability, I yank my mind from the heightened security of the memory bins and my eyes tighten into thin slits. “You’re shittin’ me with that question, right?”
Quickly leaning forward, I throw one more quarter into the jar and then take three large steps to the side in order to ensure even more distance, forming a triangle between the three of us. Quinn to my left, watching our exchange with way too much interest, and Kaeleb on my right, whose expression is void of the previous humor, yet not unkind. Almost as though the terseness of my comment merely piqued his curiosity.
We all remain locked in our places and seconds awkwardly turn into minutes, no one really sure where to take the conversation next.
Sadly, I tend to have that effect on these types of situations.
After a long while, Quinn is the first to break the silence. “Well, this is f*cking awkward.” (Deposits quarter)
Kaeleb chuckles and responds with, “It sure as shit is.” (Deposits quarter)
Quinn follows that up with, “What the f*ck are we going to do about it? (Deposits quarter)
To which Kaeleb answers, “Hell if I know.” (Deposit quarter and mouths “That counts”)
Quinn laughs and states, “Hell yeah, it does.” (Deposits quarter)
It’s then that they both stop their expletive-charged dialogue to stare at me, obviously expecting me to be a willing participant in this sad excuse for a conversation. My eyes first find those of Quinn, full of hope, and then Kaeleb’s, urging me to say something.
My eyes flick back and forth between the two a couple of times before I manage to do the impossible.
A barely there smile plays lightly on my lips and a hint of laughter lodges its way through my mouth as I finally conclude the discussion.
“Fine. You win.” Reaching back toward the table, I add, “Fuck the beer fund and break open the jar. Let’s get the hell out of here to go get some f*cking dinner.” (Deposits three quarters and then empties jar)
And with that one obscenity-filled statement, we stride out of the dorm room together, forging unlikely friendships—some old, some new—that will forever change the course of our lives.
See. I told you, Linda.
Sometimes expletives are just…necessary.


Chapter Five

“Soooo,” Kaeleb begins, wiping the grease from his extra-large fries onto the paper napkin in front of him, “You need a Boarding Buddy.”
Freaking traitor Quinn left me stranded with him when she went to refill her water and has yet to return. My eyes rake over the tables until they land on her, laughing with two extremely skinny, yet equally boisterous blondes clear across the cafeteria.
Damn it. I was depending on her to make conversation.
Sigh.
“Is that a statement or a question?” I ask, avoiding his gaze while feigning interest in the extremely unappetizing slab of meat on my plate.
“General observation only.” Kaeleb offers nothing else, so I force myself to make eye contact with him as he sits directly across the table from me.
He chuckles under his breath, throwing the napkin on top of his empty plate and relaxing back into his chair. “You’re not very fond of conversation, or people for that matter, are you?”
“No, not really,” I remark, stabbing the mystery meat before once again meeting his stare.
The corners of his mouth slip downward and he tilts his head slightly. “Why is that?”
May-Day! May-Day! Man Down!
QUINN!!!!
Trying to calm my anxiety level, I inhale deeply before answering.
“I don’t know,” I lie. “I don’t really see why that’s any of your concern.”
My eyes break from his, raking over a group of girls flocked just behind his chair, giggling while eyeing him with interest. Their faces are all smiles as they nod and they speak to one another, most likely discussing their strategic plan of attack. And then, right on cue, they disengage their stares and each set of their eyes land right on me. I watch as their smiles fall and their expressions turn from that of pure delight to ones of absolute disgust. In response, I tighten my gaze and lean forward, causing them to quickly clear their faces of the previous revulsion and disperse every which way. Satisfied with their reaction, I lean back, laughing to myself as they all run into each other, clearly not having planned an effective escape route.
Dumbasses.
Shaking my head, I bring my attention back to Kaeleb, who’s watching my silent threat with humor-filled eyes.
“Don’t you have something to do?” I inquire. “Like go talk to someone who actually would like to reciprocate?”
His lips jerk upward as he attempts to fight yet another annoying smile…and loses. “Yes, I guess I could do that. But I’m talking to you, which is like pulling teeth. I find it fascinating, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll just stay put for now. I’m always up for a good challenge.” He tilts his head. “So I’ll ask again…what drives this lack of fondness for conversation and people?”
Tightening my gaze at his audacious tone, the hold on the fork in my hand hardens as I lean forward, attempting the most ferocious glare I can muster. With the cat eyes, I’m pretty sure I look downright terrifying right now.
“You really want to know?” I mock his stupid head cock and raise my brow.
Okay, maybe not so terrifying because he counters with some kind of sexy smirk that probably rips the panties off of normal girls. With me, it only manages to get my panties in a wad.