Chapter Five: Unexpected Arrival
“Hello?” Trey answered the phone call. He almost didn’t answer, as he picked up on the last ring.
“Hey, babe! Are you busy right now?” I questioned, hoping he wasn’t - I was an hour into my drive to his college dorm.
“I’m never too busy for you, Ally. What’s up?” I blushed.
“Well… I’m taking a drive right now, and I was wondering if I could come see you. I just really need you right now…” I responded.
“Um, yeah, totally. Let me just clean up my room. Text me when you get here and I’ll come down to let you in.” Trey insisted.
“Okay, thank you so much, Trey! I’ll see you soon, I love you.”
“Love you, too, babe.” I hung up and continued driving. I would have to stop for gas soon. As if on command, my gas light came on and I began my hunt for a gas station. About five minutes later, I pulled into a small Marathon gas station and headed inside to pre - pay. The cashier took my money, but then looked back up slowly. I looked at her with a kind expression, but noticeably confused.
“What happened to your lip, honey?” She asked. She was older, probably in her 60’s.
“Oh, I just hit myself in the face with my phone by accident.” I fibbed. I felt bad lying to her, she seemed like such a kind lady.
“Oh, okay. Be more careful, sweetie!” She wasn’t convinced, I could tell. That’s when I realized a bruise on my arm was showing.
“Will do, ma’am!” I replied and started heading towards the door.
“Hey! Wait!” I turned around, “Whoever did this to you will get what’s coming to them. It’ll get better, I promise.” She finished, then flashed me a smile.
“Thank you.” I grinned back, then left without another word. I appreciated her concern - the world needs more people like her. I then pumped my gas and left as quickly as I could, just wanting to get to Trey’s.
I drove the last hour with my music blaring. I’m most definitely not a singer, but I sang along with the music with my windows down. Sure, it earned me some stares, but I couldn’t care less. I was “living in the moment” as some people would call it. I was soon approaching the college so I gave Trey a ring.
“Hey, baby! I’m almost there.”
“Okay, I’ll head outside to meet you.” He said in a monotone voice, then hung up. He never does that. Could this have something to do with how he was acting before he left? Pushing the thought away, I pulled in the parking lot of the college. Before he left, Trey told me he was in the second housing building, so I parked where I could find a spot close enough. Just as he said he would, he was standing outside and ready to meet me.
“Ally!” He ran over to me and picked me up in a hug, as if we didn’t just see each other yesterday.
“Hi!” I replied, kissing him on the cheek. He set me down and grabbed my hand, leading me into the building. Soon we reached his dorm, where three other guys were sitting in the living room, playing video games.
“Hey, guys. This is my girlfriend, Ally.” The boys turned around and gave each other a side glance they thought I wouldn’t notice.
“Hi, nice to meet you. We’ve heard great things about you.” One of the boys said. I looked up to Trey who smiled at me in return.
“Shh, don’t be spilling my secrets!” Trey laughed as he winked at me, “We’re going to my room. Shout if you need me.”
“They seem nice.” I piped up from beside Trey.
“They are. We met up a couple of times this summer to get to know each other before we moved in. We’ve become like brothers.” Trey was always very outgoing, sometimes too outgoing. He would be friends with the wrong people and end up getting himself into trouble. I, on the other hand, have always kept to myself - literally. I have no friends. Well, if you count Levi and Trey, then yes I do - a whopping two friends.
“Wow. So how was your first night?” I asked, changing the subject.
“It was good. I do miss my own bed, though.”
“Yeah, I understand.” I replied.
“So, how have you been?” He questioned, gently grabbing my arm and twisting it to look at the bruise. Trey looked at me sincerely.
“Just dandy.” I responded, pulling my arm back.
“He hurt you again, didn’t he?” I nodded and he put his hand to my face, running his finger over my busted lip softly.
“When I came home from your house, they cornered me.” I explained.
“I’m so sorry, Ally. I knew I shouldn’t have moved so far away…” He had that same guilty vibe about him that I felt last night.
“It’s okay, babe. I can handle myself. I’m a big girl!” I giggled. After playfully mocking me, he started laughing as well. I then remembered what I had to show him. I took out a folded up piece of paper - my drawing - and handed it to him. I had ripped it out while on the road.
“Oh,...