Chapter 12

Ashley sat in her empty dorm, typing away on her laptop. It was the night before her group project was due and she was putting the final touches on her notes for the presentation. It was after midnight and there was a stillness in the air. She yawned, stretched her arms out wide, before she rubbed her face to wake up to keep going.

Trisha was out, probably spending the night in Justin’s room. While it gave Ashley some peace and quiet, she did worry about her roommate when she didn’t let her know where she was. Ashley tried to remind herself that she wasn’t Trish’s mom and they weren’t a thing anymore; the girl could do whatever she wanted.

At least it gave her time to work, Ashley thought to herself, clacking away. She was thankfully feeling pretty good about this project. Her notes and her portion of the presentation was immaculate; she knew all her points and potential counters backwards and forwards. She hated to admit it, but a lot of that had to do with Doyle.

They happened to run into each other earlier that day in the library. Ashley was in her regular spot, finishing up some readings between classes, when Doyle appeared. He sat himself down across from her, without even asking, and pulled out his own books to work. Beyond a simple hello, he just went about his business quietly.

Taken by his audacity, when she finished what she was doing, she pulled out their project and grilled him on his section. Doyle, not one to back down, grilled her right back. Each pointed out potential flaws the other may have missed. Each took notes to make adjustments, or devise answers should others in the seminar question them about it. In spite of the extra work needed for adjustments and tuning, she knew it would make their presentation stronger.

There was still Nathan, their weak link, to worry about. Neither one had been able to reach him again to get his finalized notes for his part. It was frustrating, and both of them commiserated about working with unreliable people and the concept of group work in general. They’d all planned to meet an hour before class, so they just had to hope Nathan had his shit together. Ashley briefly entertained the notion of asking Doyle if he wanted to partner with her again, should the need arise, but decided against it. She didn’t want him to know she enjoyed working together; he might get the wrong idea and a swollen head.

When all questions were exhausted and all loopholes filled, they returned to their other class work. At times, Ashley could swear she caught him peeking at her from behind his book. They quietly worked together but for different classes until it was time for their next lecture. They just so happened to bump into each other there too, as they sat beside each other once more.

As Ashley was finishing up, and about to get ready for bed, there was a loud thud on her door. It was like someone had walked into it. Curious and concerned, she headed to check it out when the sound of keys jingled in the lock. There were some whispers and giggling before the door opened and Trish walked in.

“Oh ... I thought you’d be asleep.” Trish said, taking off her jacket.

“I thought you were staying with Justin, are you just getting in now?”

Trish shrugged, “Yeah so...?”

“Don’t you have class in the morning?” Ashley knew this wasn’t like Trish; she was smarter than this.

Kicking off her shoes, Trish replied, “You’re up most of the time now, why can’t I pull a late-nighter? Besides, Justin had a few too many and needed my help.”

There it was. Ashley remembered the last time Justin had too much to drink, and it didn’t go well. She didn’t know if it happened more since then, maybe they were hiding it, but she was happy he was in his own room.

Ashley asked, “Was that what that thud was?” hoping it was Justin’s head hitting the door.

“Yeah, sorry about that. He tripped but at least you’re still awake, so it didn’t get you up.” Trish smiled, knowing Ashley was annoyed. She felt bad, but Ashley had told her to live her life when they first moved in together.

Ashley grumbled, “It’s fine: at least he isn’t here tonight. I’ve got a big presentation tomorrow and need to get some sleep.”

“I wish you could get along,” Trish replied, repeating a fight they’ve had numerous times since Ashley found out they were back together. “Would it kill you to be nice?”

“I don’t want to start this again. I think he’s a jerk and you don’t; there’s nothing more to talk about, especially this late.” Ashley wanted to stop a fight before it began, but the wheels were already in motion.

Trish fumed, “You’re the one with the problem, Ash. Look, I get he isn’t perfect like you, he makes mistakes, but I like him and I like you, but your jealousy is getting too much.”

Ashley had to take a step back, “Jealousy? What?! He tried to assault you, I stopped it, and I’m the jealous one?”

Trish fired back, “Kind of forgetting the important part about us hooking up. I’m sorry I lied, and I’m sorry for what happened, and I’m sorry I can’t be what you want, but I’ve chosen Justin.”

Ashley was done. She was already stressed and tired. “You know what...” Ashley said, the hurt in her throat. “ ... he can have you. Best of luck to you both, I’m going to sleep.”

With that, Ashley turned her back on her former friend and lover. She pulled off the comfy shorts she wore and climbed into her bed, facing the wall. Trish didn’t say anything either, and stomped over to her side of the room. She smacked the light off as she went.

The tension in the room permeated through the darkness, as Ashley willed herself to go to sleep. She had to be up in four hours to get ready for her first class. She wanted to dress nicely for her presentation, so that would take more time than throwing on a skirt and clean top. She’d managed to drift off between internal grumbles, though it wasn’t a peaceful sleep. It was made worse when she was awoken by whispers from the other side of the room.

“Keep it down, she’s already pissed off.”

“She’s probably on the rag, but you’re not.” Justin’s drunk voice was not what she wanted to hear.

“I said no, Justin,” Trish whispered.

“Come on ... just this once.”

“No, we can’t. I’m not protected.” Trish responded.

“Just let me slip it in, a few seconds only...” Justin whined. “Come on, it won’t kill you.”

“Justin, I said, no ... stop.”

Ashley listened to this in the dark, a mix of emotions flooded through her. Part of her wanted to jump up and kick Justin in the balls as hard as possible; another part wanted to intervene and stop what she could guess was going on; and the final darker part of her, still angry from their fight, wanted to not do anything at all. As Trisha had said, she made her choice and she had to live with the consequences. But she just couldn’t do that.

“Keep it down over there,” she groaned groggily while pretending to still be asleep.

“See! Get a condom on or it isn’t happening.” Trish whispered. “Sorry Ash,” Trish said a little louder. There was the faint sound of a package being opened and rustling before a soft grunt and squeak of bedsprings.

Trying to get back to sleep for the little amount she could manage, Ashley grabbed a pillow and put it over her head to block out the sounds from the other side of the room. She barely managed another couple hours of sleep before her alarm sounded. Exhausted and miserable, Ashley dragged herself from her bed, collected her shower supplies and lumbered her way to the door. She tried not to look but she could see Justin still passed out on Trisha’s bed; Trisha had already left for her own class.

A cold shower barely helped to wake Ashley up, but she was cleaner. She brushed and dried her hair; her towel wrapped around her. A few other girls mingled about, those unlucky enough to have early morning classes, but most were doing the bare minimum. Ashley fixed her hair like she was readying for a modeling gig, though it wasn’t as perfect as Scott would probably make it. She just had to change, grab a quick breakfast and a huge coffee, before meeting Doyle and Nathan.

She returned to her room to find Justin casually sitting at Trisha’s desk, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. She didn’t have time to deal with him. She had things to do.

“Can you get dressed and get out?” Ashley spat, her voice crackling with fury. Justin only smiled, he stood and stretched like he had all the time in the world.

“What? Are you shy now?” he mused; it made Ashley more uncomfortable. She didn’t like this. She wasn’t about to stand down to him though.

“It’s my room and Trisha’s gone, so get out before I call campus security to throw you out.”

He took a step toward her, “Awww, come on Ash. It doesn’t have to be like this.” He stepped forward again. “You like Trish. I like Trish. We can both like Trish ... together.”