Josh woke up feeling greatly troubled because Sabrina hadn’t called him back. He’d even left his cell turned on on his nightstand. He frowned, regretting the decision to have so much time apart. He thought it would just make him look forward to their trip to the cabin even more, but he really just missed his girlfriend.
Josh remembered that his schedule was just as busy today as it was the day before. He picked up his phone and called Sabrina. She mumbled a sleepy hello. “Hi sweetheart. Did I wake you up?” “I was up late studying for a big test.” “You’re really throwing yourself into this. Are you sure you’re not overdoing it?” “It’s the price I pay for entering mid semester. I’m lucky they let me in at all.” Josh could hear the tiredness in her voice. She needed at least another hour of sleep, but he had to tell her soon. He didn’t know how she would react to the news, but it would be bad. “Bri, put me on speaker.” “Why?” “Just do it. Now lay down and close your eyes.” “Ok.” “Sleep my love and peace attend thee, all through the night. Guardian angels God will send thee, all through the night.” She was asleep before he finished the verse.
When Sabrina woke up, she felt bad about her talk with Josh earlier. She did have a big test today and a paper due next week, but it had been a while since they’d spoken and it was so sweet of him to sing her to sleep. She called his phone, but got his voice mail. She left a message asking Josh to call her tonight.
Sabrina made certain to pack her running clothes in her bag. After that test, she’d need to unwind, especially if she and Leo were going out afterwards. A slow smile played on her lips as she put her hair into two braids.
Leo was waiting for her when she walked into the classroom. “Here’s your notebook.” Sabrina reached for it as Leo snatched it away. “If you’ll come out with us tonight.” Sabrina smiled. “All right, but I may be late, I’m going to run after my last class.” “Mind if I come with you? I know a great trail through the park that’s never crowded.”
The test was just as brutal as Sabrina thought it would be. By the end of her last class, she was more than ready for her run with Leo. She changed into her shorts and fitted shirt and found Leo waiting by the student union. He wore the same sleeveless shirt and shorts he wore when she first saw him. Sabrina scolded herself for inwardly drooling, but she really couldn’t help it. She was attracted to him, that’s all there was to it. She was also attracted to Christian Bale and Taye Diggs and it was no big deal. “What are you thinking?” he asked. Sabrina shook her head to clear it. “Nothing. Let’s go.”
They ran in silence for a little over a mile when Leo playfully punched her shoulder. Sabrina waited a minute and punched him back. She waited until Leo looked like he was going to punch her again and yanked on his ponytail. “Hey!” Sabrina smiled and ran ahead of him, but her lead didn’t last long .Leo tackled her, knocking her into a soft patch of grass. He landed on top of her, his hair gently caressing her face. Their faces were very close together and their eyes locked. “Sabrina, I…I think we should go.” Leo stood and helped her up. They walked back to campus in silence, each deep in thought over what almost happened between them. Sabrina hated herself for it, but she’d wanted Leo to kiss her. What the hell was she doing? Leo walked her to her car. “I’m working at St Ben’s again tonight. You’re welcome to stop by. I think we’re going dancing after.” “Yeah, ok, thanks.”
As soon as Sabrina got home, she called Josh. She needed him. Maybe they could go to the cabin this weekend instead of next. Maybe… “Hello?” “Josh, it’s me. Can we…” “Bri, I’ve got to go, I’m sorry.” “But Josh, I…” “I’ll call you later, promise. I love you.” Click.
Sabrina threw the phone across the room. She put on an Otis Redding CD on full blast and took a long, soothing shower. She had to leave the house or go crazy. An hour later, Sabrina found herself at St. Benedict’s. She wanted to be near Leo, but knew she should stay away from him. As luck would have it, she was assigned to the kitchen, washing mounds of dishes. The dishwasher was automatic, but there was still water everywhere, which made her thankful for her large plastic apron. She’d finished washing the last load when Leo came in to help her dry. He gave her a shy smile when he walked in. He’d taken his hair down and it hung around his shoulders. They made small talk as they dried the dishes and put them away. They were almost done when a Norah Jones song came on the radio. “Come away with me in the night. Come away with me and I will write you a song…” Leo took her hand and pulled her to him and started swaying to the music. “Dance with me.” “We’re already dancing.” He smiled. As they danced, Leo sang in her ear, his voice coming in smooth and deep. “I want to walk with you on a cloudy day in fields where the yellow grass grows knee high. So won’t you try to come.” In one quick move, Leo pulled away, leaned in and kissed her. Sabrina knew she should resist, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss.
When they parted, Sabrina tried to pull away, but Leo’s arms kept her pinned to him. His eyes were pleading. “Please don’t.” “I have a boyfriend, Leo!” He dropped his arms. “I know.” Sabrina’s eyes widened. “What!?” “The first day I saw you in class, I don’t know there’s just something about you. I followed you out of class to try and talk to you, but there was this guy with dark curly hair standing in the rain holding yellow roses.” Leo ran his hands through his hair. “Look, I know it’s not cool to go after someone else’s girl, but honest to God, Sabrina, I can’t get you out of my head.” “I’ve got to go.” Sabrina took off her apron and hung it up. “Sabrina please…” “I need to leave. Now.”
As soon as she got home, Sabrina changed into her pajamas and called CJ. She told him everything that occurred in just a few days. He gave a low whistle. “Do you still love Josh?” “Yes, I really do, but we never see each other. It’s like we’re not even dating.” “What about Leo?” “I’m not in love with him, but he’s wonderful and he’s never too busy to spend time with me.” “You need to talk to Josh pronto. He deserves the truth even if he has been a lousy boyfriend lately.” “You’re right. I’ll call him right now.” “Call me later. Good luck.”
Sabrina took a deep breath and called Josh’s cell. “Hello?” It sounded like he was at a party, there was loud music and people talking in the background. “Josh, it’s me.” “Hi Bri! Chris’ friend is having a party. Wanna come?” Josh’s speech was a little slurred. Even if she wanted to go, she couldn’t have a decent conversation with him like this. “No, I can’t, but we need to talk. How about breakfast tomorrow?” “Ok. Bri, I think I’m a little drunk.” “I think so too, sweetie. Have a good time.” “I love you, Bri. Promise you won’t forget that.” Sabrina’s eyes filled with tears. “I promise.”
She let her tears fall freely once she hung up the phone. Sabrina glanced at
the ring Josh had given her a year ago. It was supposed to be a reminder of
his love, even when they weren’t together. Sabrina restarted Otis Redding
and curled up in bed, wishing the earth would swallow her whole.
