Falling Out of Hate with You

Chapter 3-2

“If you get out of my office and don’t pull s**t like this again, I’ll meet you in the supply room on the second floor at lunch and will make it worth every little second.”

She leans forward and takes my bottom lip between her teeth and growls. “Deal.”

When she leaves, I suck in a deep breath and adjust myself. Almost instantaneously, I start on the shitty busy work that Blake left for me, hoping it takes me less time than he gave me. One day I’ll get a project worth something, one that’ll allow me to prove my worth to Crawford Marketing, but today is obviously not that day.

VIOLA

VIOLAI’m pissed, and Travis King is to blame. It isn’t the first time, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. Flaunting himself in that perfectly tailored suit that hugs him in all the right places makes me hate him even more. My mother always told me that life wasn’t fair and seeing him dressed like that is proof. I want to gouge out his beautiful dark brown eyes. Because of him and his stupid games, I’m rushing around to make it to the other side of campus. Travis set the foundation for my entire day. Asshole!

Asshole!I like to pre-read chapters before class to make sure I’m fully aware of what will be discussed. I double-check my syllabus on my phone that I fought for this morning and read while I power walk. Call me nerdy, but I don’t have perfect grades by sliding by. Honestly, I could probably teach the classes I’m enrolled in because I’ve studied and researched the subjects so much. By some miracle, I finish the chapter and arrive to class with five minutes to spare. My shoulder is practically numb from the huge bag of books I carried across campus.

Once I sit down, I tuck my hair behind my ears and try to calm down. My heart is racing a million miles per hour, and when I close my eyes, what do I see? Travis’s stupid face, smiling, and I can almost hear the rough in his voice. I close my eyes tighter, take in a deep breath, and then exhale slowly. My economics professor begins to sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown, and I know I need to get a grip. Finally, he asks a question about supply and demand, and I raise my hand to answer.

“Correct, Ms. Fisher,” he says with a knowing smile. I smile in return, pleased with myself. I don’t mind being the Hermione Granger of the econ department. Five points to Gryffindor.

The day flies by, and I can hardly believe I only have one more day until spring break begins. One more day until I"m stuck in the same house as Travis f*****g King. I wish I could fast forward through the next two weeks and get it over with as soon as possible.

I walk across campus toward the dorms, switching shoulders when my bag becomes too heavy. As I pass the library, I hear a familiar voice call my name.

“Lola! Wait up,” Courtney yells, jogging up behind me, her blond hair pulled into a ponytail. With every step she takes, her bracelets jingle. She’s been calling me Lola for years. Courtney complained that Viola reminded her too much of Violet, the first and only girl she’s ever dated. So, she started calling me Lola instead, and it just kind of stuck.

I smile as soon as I see her. She’s breathless, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Jesus, woman. How fast do you walk? I’ve been trying to catch up with you since we left the lecture hall.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” My brows furrow, wondering how I could"ve been so lost in my own thoughts to drown the rest of the world out. “I’ve been a little out of it today. What’s up?” We continue walking.

“I fly to Dallas on Sunday for our family reunion and won’t be back until Thursday, so we need to hang out this weekend. Will you be around?” She bumps my shoulder, knowing exactly what my plans are.

“Yeah. I’ll be staying at my brother’s house.” With a guy I absolutely loathe.

With a guy I absolutely loathe“With Drew and Travis?” Her inflection goes up when she says Drew’s name, but she knows exactly how I feel about Travis—almost the exact opposite of how she feels about Drew—but that story’s for another time.

and“Drew’s going out of town. So yeah. I’ll be living in hell for two weeks with Travis.” I pause and grit my teeth. “Just Travis.”

Just“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” She pinches her lips together in a knowing smirk.

“It’s the worst thing that could possibly happen to me.”

Courtney met Travis a few times in passing and instantly thought he was s*x on legs, but she knows how I feel. She’s the only one that’ll listen to me b***h about his antics. My mood shifts, and it’s not a good one, and she notices.

“Come with me to Texas then. I can promise cowboys and delicious carbs.” The corners of her lips turn up.

All I can do is laugh. “I’d love to take you up on that offer, but I have tons of reading to do and stupid jocks to tutor.”

“Fine,” she says, exaggerating the word. “Choose books over your best friend again.”

FineCourtney is the best friend every girl wishes she had, and I’m lucky to have her as one of mine, even if we don’t have much in common. She’s loyal, kind, and good at purposely making me laugh when I’m trying to study.

Her phone goes off, and she squeals. I’m sure it’s Toby, the love of her life. “I gotta go. I’ll text you what time this weekend.” She gives me a quick hug, then turns around and heads the other direction.

“Perfect,” I say with a laugh.

The wind feels nice against my cheeks, and the sun kisses my skin as I walk across the grass toward the dorms. I want to remember how this feels. As I think about my future and the opportunities and possibilities, everything looks so bright. In less than two months, undergraduate life will be nothing more than a fond memory. Life will change, and my friends and I will start new chapters.

I walk into my dorm room and find Ashley sitting on the couch, listening to music through her earbuds so loud that I can almost make out the words. I drop my bag by the door, giving my shoulder a much-needed rest, then walk toward her, waving my arms to get her attention.

“What?” she says, pulling out an earbud.

“You’re going to be deaf by the time you’re thirty if you keep listening to your music that loud.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “I didn’t realize I was rooming with my mother.”

“Shut it.” I glare. “So, I have a huge favor to ask,” I say sweetly, batting my eyes at her.

She puts her earbud back in, then bursts out laughing at my scowl. I place my hand on my hips, and she removes the earbuds once again. “What is it? I fly home first thing tomorrow so whatever it is has to be done tonight.”

“I really, really, really need help carrying my boxes and bags over to Drew’s house. I’ll even buy Starbucks on the way. Venti. Extra shots. The whole menu if you want.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re taking that much with you?”

“Just the essentials. Clothes, my Harry Potter collection, textbooks, and a dozen other books I want to read over break.”

She chuckles, knowing I’m taking way more than just my necessary essentials.

“I don’t want to have to do more than one trip, so that’s why I need your help.” I smile sweetly.

She sighs. “Fine. I have to run across campus and pick up some paperwork from the lab first, but it won’t take more than ten minutes. Plus, you know I’m a sucker for free coffee,” Ashley says, her lips pulling together in a smirk. “I’ve decided you’re getting me a Trenta instead, by the way.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“That’s because you play to my weaknesses.”

“Only because you’re the best roommate ever. But please don’t tell the other ones I said that.”

She gives me a thumbs-up before putting the earbuds back in and rocking out to some song I can’t make out because the beat is too fast and the lyrics are jumbling together. I plop down on the couch next to her, and she moves her feet so I have more room. I lay my head back and stare at the ceiling until my vision blurs, then I close my eyes. I hardly slept a wink last night, and it’s beginning to catch up with me.

My five-minute catnap is interrupted when my phone goes off. It’s a message from Drew.

Drew

You know you’re the best little sister in the entire world, right?

Clearly, Drew needs a favor, and after hearing he’s leaving this weekend, I’m not sure I feel like being much help. Actually, when I think back on it, that was the restart of all of this drama with Travis. I had been able to avoid him otherwise.

Viola

What do you want?

I reply, suspicious. It beeps seconds later.

Drew

I want you to know how much I love you and tell you how you’re the greatest and my most favorite sister ever.

I sit up on the couch and groan.

Viola

I’m your only sister. So, spill it.

Drew

Well, see Travis texted me and asked if I could bring him lunch again today because he’s super busy, but I’m stuck at work and can’t leave. He swears he won’t ask again for the rest of the year.

I immediately see red, and my fingers can’t fly across the screen fast enough.

Viola

NOT f*****g HAPPENING! HE CAN STARVE FOR ALL I CARE!

For someone who has his s**t together, he needs to plan better. Bring a sandwich, make a protein shake—for f**k’s sake, takeout is always an option.

Drew

C’mon, sis. It’s totally not like you to be like that when people are hungry.

I sigh and close my eyes. Why must he do this to me?

Viola

It’s not happening, Drew. The sob story won’t work today. He can do delivery. And don’t ask me again.

I know it’s harsh, but I don’t care.

Would Travis bring me lunch if I were starving and couldn’t leave? After I sit for a second, I feel a little guilty because even though I hate his guts and he doesn’t really care for mine, he would do it for me. I wait a few minutes then send a text back to Drew.

Viola

Fine. He’s getting the most fattening meal I can buy or worse.

Drew

Thanks, sis. I knew I could count on you. Love you!

I’m tempted to text some colorful things back to him, but instead, I get up, walk to the kitchen, and throw something together, and then grab my car keys.

While I walk toward my car, I ask myself what the hell is wrong with me. Something inside tells me I should’ve stuck with my original response.