Chapter 13

"Lose your balance, Ally?" Kaija teased.

Ally blushed fiercely as the group giggled at the whole scene. If nothing else, at least her fall broke the ice a bit. Things definitely seemed less intense afterwards.

"I should be going," Barclay finally said. "Class in the morning you know. I keep forgetting it's Sunday today. Seems so much like a Saturday," he babbled. "Anyway, catch ya later."

Barclay was half way down the hall before either girl had a chance to reciprocate his good-bye. "What's with him?" Ally asked, closing the door behind her.

"Kaija shrugged. "I'm not totally sure," she responded. "Maybe he's just tired or something."

"Well how are you then? You both seemed kinda quiet on the way home..."

"I'm fine. Just peachy," she said as she folded her clothes and slipped into her nightshirt.

Ally desperately wanted to ask her roommate why she was so touchy, but she thought it might get her into trouble. Or at least more trouble than she was already in.

"Is it something I did?" Ally asked. "Because if it is..."

"Would you please just shut up?"

It was even worse than Ally thought. She looked down, a hurt expression on her face, and headed for the closet to get her own nightshirt.

"Look, I'm sorry, Ally," Kaija said, breaking the silence. "It's just been a really shitty night, that's all. Will you forgive me?"

"Of course, but there's really nothing to forgive. Obviously something's happened to upset you, and I'd like to help if I can."

"That's really sweet of you, but can we just drop it for now? I'd really like to get some sleep," she said, hopping up onto her loft.

"Whatever." Ally finished getting into her nightshirt and then headed for bed. As she lay there wide awake in the dark room, she decided to do a bit of bonding with Kaija. For whatever reason, it was always easier for Ally to deal with sensitive subjects in the dark. She guessed that it was because then no one could see her blush. Whatever the reason, she wanted to seize the opportunity. "Did you and Barc have fun tonight?" she asked tentatively. "It sure looked like it when Bruiser and I saw you two going at it on the couch." Ally hoped her flip tone and choice of words would make Kaija smile, perhaps even loosen up a bit.

"I guess so." Her response was anything but convincing. "Barc was pretty upset by what happened to you tonight you know. We both were."

"What do you mean by 'what happened to me'? Nothing happened to me. In fact, that's part of the problem..." Ally complained with a giggle.

"It's not funny, Ally! You could have been raped! And Barc feels horrible about introducing you to Mr. Hands."

"He shouldn't," Ally said. "I'm the one who picked up the pace a bit. Truth is, Bruiser was being the perfect gentleman until I turned up the heat."

"It doesn't matter. He still had no right to take advantage of you."

They both lay there silently in the dark. Ally was certain Kaija had fallen asleep when a soft voice broke the silence. "You know, I was thinking about Professor Salinger just now."

"What about him?" Ally asked, propping her head up on one arm.

"I was thinking how nice it would be for you to have a sophisticated first time. Someone a bit more sensitive than Bruiser."

"Come on, Kai, surely you're not suggesting a teacher-student thing..."

"Well, would that be so bad? You said Salinger's sexy."

"Yeah, but he could have anybody in the world. Why would he want me when he has a whole campus of busty coeds lusting after him?"

"Maybe he'd take brains over beauty any day. Or perhaps he's one of the rare few who actually take personality into account. And remember, he hasn't seen you with your new look yet. Besides, you turned plenty of heads yourself tonight."

Could she be right? Could Professor Salinger ever be potentially interested in someone like Ally? It was fun to dream...

Predictably, both girls overslept. Instead of their usual trek to the dining commons for breakfast, Kaija and Ally opted to grab a yogurt to eat on the run.

In a way, Ally was grateful she didn't have to face Barclay over breakfast. She felt bad enough as it was about the friction she caused between the couple. Perhaps she should just steer clear of Barc for a while. Give him and Kaija some time to iron out their problems. Besides, Ally had that sexy creative writing professor to think about...

And that's exactly what she did during her painfully boring calculus class. It was hardly worth getting up for, but Ally knew the instructor was a real stickler over attendance. She was bummed that none of the guys noticed her new and improved look, but then again what did she really expect from a class full of nerds? And she had to admit the change wasn't nearly as dramatic as it was the night before. There was essentially no time to use the curling iron since she slept so late. Maybe next time, she thought with a disappointed sigh.

Fortunately, her lusty thoughts of the to-die-for professor made the hour pass quickly. And given the light breakfast Ally had, she was more than ready for a hearty lunch. She reached the dining commons in record time, loading up her tray with food like a starving sumo wrestler.

The frenzied morning left no time for making meal plans, so Ally was resigned to the idea of eating alone. She chose a small table way back in the corner of the room. As she picked at her food, she suddenly realized just how much she missed having dining companions. She felt like such a loser eating alone, but given the way things went yesterday, she wanted to give Kaija and Barc a chance to talk on their own.

Ally nibbled on a side of salty French fries as she flipped through her American Lit book in preparation for class. Several pages in to the mission, a shadow appeared on her book. She looked up to see Barclay standing over her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, smiling up at him.

Barc glanced down at his tray of food and then grinned back at her.

"Stupid question, I know... Where's Kaija?"

"I have no idea," he responded, pulling out a chair and taking a seat before she even had a chance to offer. Not that she would have offered, mind you. "She was pretty rattled last night you know," he said, his mouth stuffed with a large bite of sub sandwich.

Ally closed her book. "That's interesting, she told me you were the one who was upset by what was going on."

He shrugged, giving the discrepancy in stories little thought. "You know Kaija," he added. "She never wants anyone to see her softer side."

"It doesn't make any sense though." Ally was truly perplexed. Somebody wasn't playing it straight with her, and she had no idea who it was or why.

"I will say she was none too happy about my rescue attempt."

Ally was slowly starting to put the pieces together. If Kaija were truly upset by what was happening to Allison, why would she object to Barclay saving her? Unless... Could it be Kaija was threatened by Allison? That would sure explain the inconsistencies in her reactions... It broke Ally's heart that she had made Kaija so uncomfortable, especially after she spent so much time helping her create her new look. She had to do something to convince her roommate that she wasn't a threat, but what?

Her eyes and face hardened as she looked at Barclay. She had to make him not like her so much, that way Kaija would be one hundred percent secure in her standing with Barc. "Well I'm none too happy about your rescue attempt either!" Ally said with an uncharacteristic harshness in her tone.

"You're kidding me, right?" Barc asked, munching on a potato chip.

Ally folded her arms. "No, actually I'm not." He quirked an eyebrow at her sudden change of mood. "If it weren't for you, I'd have my first time behind me already."

He rolled his eyes with a frustrated sigh. "Well pardon me for protecting you from the grimy paws campus's most active athlete! And I don't mean active in football and related activities, either..." Barclay was attempting to be funny more than anything else since he was sure there was more behind Allison's shift in behavior than the aborted session with Bruiser. He set his sub on the plate in front of him and nudged it toward the middle of the table. Wearing a serious look, he said, "Okay, Ally, fess up. What's really going on here? Because you know and I know that you weren't ready to give up your virginity to anyone, much less someone like Bruiser."

Ally looked around the room frantically. "Could you say it a little louder?" she seethed.

"God, you're cute," he grinned, shaking his head.

"Shut up," she snorted.

"Seriously," he pressed. "When did I become the enemy?"

Reluctantly, she finally answered him. "Kaija said you were upset by what happened, but you shouldn't have been. I wanted to be in that situation."

"You wanted to give yourself up to some jock who's had three quarters of the cheerleading squad this semester alone?!?" His voice was almost a shout.

Tears filled Ally's eyes, threatening to escape. "No, but I wanted to be wanted by somebody." It sounded so pathetic, but it was the truth.

"You are wanted. Kaija and I both love you."

But that was the root of the problem-Kaija and he. They were a couple. Ally had seen them go at it a number of times. Barc could claim it was casual all he wanted, but it sure seemed a lot more serious to her. She couldn't imagine sweet sensitive Barclay playing someone like that unless his feelings were genuine. Ally looked down, staring at her empty plate.

"So Kaija said I was upset, huh?" Ally nodded. "Interesting... I got the distinct impression that she was the one who was upset by the whole thing."

"Really?" That caught Ally by surprise. "Why?"

Barclay leaned in to the table, speaking in hushed tones. "This is going to sound totally egotistical, but I swear she was pissed that I broke things up between the two of you."